EPISODE 2 | My Response to Matt Johnson

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[@JustinPorterMedia]

Join the JPM Live Academy and use the code UNCUT for 25% off your first 2 months: bit.ly/JPM-ACADEMY

[@evanthecameraman]

My 2024 goal, genuinely, is to surround myself with better people within the industry. I've done everything on my own with an occasional second shooter but never someone consistent. Having a go-to that can read my mind and I don't have to hover over would be the biggest leap forward for me. Second goal, have an associate editor who knows how to tell stories and can compliment my current editing workflow. Just never enough time in the day to do it all alone.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I will tell you first hand that it’s been the best thing ever to have an assistant that knows what we are doing. Connor has been my guy since day one and we grew together. It’s not easy but it eventually becomes better than the best camera haha. If I can make a suggestion, search indeed for editors. I found mine there and she’s an absolute beast. She’s been with us for over a year now. Love your consistent support man. If I can ever help, reach out anytime brother.

[@waynosfotoscameras]

Yeah but Justin, "let's be real" brides like the slom-mo and the drone shots, we all deliver it because it sells. I get you do something different, that is fine too. 10 years ago weddings films were boring. We have moved forward. Maybe the reality wedding film is the future, but let's not deny the wedding films today look high end and romantic. That the truth man!

[@fitzgeraldfilmsMN]

True

[@NelsonM47]

True

[@Timelessweddingfilms]

Amen ❤

[@theofficialtarawesfilms]

I think you’re work attracts the clients that are interested in it. Maybe the clients that you’re working with aren’t attracted to Justin’s stuff but that doesn’t mean that he’s doing it wrong.. it means that you have a different clientele than he does and stuff isn’t what his clients are looking for

[@SeanLewisMedia]

Your energy is inspiring man! I've been building my channel and along with it my skills as a videographer who's trying to learn to be a filmmaker, over the last year. Its been the most enjoyable and motivating endeavors I've started. My goals have shifted and grown as I've learned what I can create and its amazing what consistency can bring. Glad I found your channel, I'm not a wedding shooter but I think there is so much to learn from others in different disciplines. Thanks for making these videos man!

[@outwithkay]

Thank you for calling me out! I knew something was wrong! The connection, the emotion, something was lacking! I'm getting my sleeves on, getting ready up for the work. Love from Nigeria 🇳🇬

[@LeftLegProduction]

I know for a fact this Q&A Is gonna be real good can't wait for a great conversation

[@iamedgardbmedia]

This is so true. Ive been doing weddings for almost 1 year now. My first one was in April for last year and got literally slapped in the face with a "we don't have vows". Instantly learned! I love you and Matt's tips.. Great Video

[@travelerx2939]

Hey Justin, I'm definitely signing up!!! I need to learn everything I can!!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Let’s gooooo heck yea! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@BenjiSelby]

Preach! I just started filming weddings and it’s real easy to see the easy way out for sure. But like you’ve been doing, making experiments and see what you like and helps tell the story of the couple. I’m here for all the hot takes 😂

[@alphablacky]

I love your works 💯💯💯… One of my 2024 bucket list is to enroll at JP live Academy 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Let’s goooo. Can’t wait to see you inside 🔥🔥🔥

[@brandonleefilms-weddings]

This is excellent. Love that you're going to upload all 29 weddings to your website, question: do you (personally) edit all of your weddings, or do you have an editing team? Thx Justin!

[@creativefilmz]

I have to disagree about the opening with a drone shot, yes its about the couple but a drone shot is merely an establishing shot when used appropriately. Before you even play the video its already known its a wedding video of the couple that's a given. Where they are is not an automatic given so whether drone, slider, or gimbal of the location is establishing the to the viewer the setting for the film. As someone said earlier brides and grooms love drone shots I've had couples that it was a prerequisite to them booking with me.

[@giannisglikiotis]

Exactly... in Greece we don't have vowels, no speeches, no first looks and sometimes it's totally difficult to take even some interviews just saying "We wish you to be happy"... Sometimes we get some more good footage if the couple or the friends are crazy and make some more fuss and stupid things with friends etc so we have some good happy moments

[@sumitino]

So, I was chilling, minding my business, enjoying a relaxing wedding video by @runawayvows (I like that kid) and he dropped a name i hadn't heard before... he said, 'the legend Justin Porter".... my ears perked up and i decided to search youtube for the name. I found you and Wow, your style is amazing! I just now subscribed but i feel like i'm getting in on the ground floor of something big. I dig the podcast idea and enjoy all of your wedding trailers. It gives me so much creative inspiration. Keep doing what you're doing. Thank you for being in this space. Cheers

[@olmoweddingvideo]

i totally agree with you, i'm an italian wedding filmmaker and most of our weddings are basically silent. no speeches, no vows etc. what do u raccomand to do to find a story? (if you already take some natural interraction beetwen them and you already make interview)

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Yea I think personally weddings without speeches or vows help you more as a Verite filmmaker. In this case, which happens often in weddings I film, I would do my own interveiws and getting soundbites throughout the day. There are a lot things being said if you know where to look. It's so fun when you start seeing it happen and being able to edit it into your films. Keep crushing it

[@olmoweddingvideo]

@@JustinPorterMedia thanks for answering, it was worth it to stay awake until now hahaha (it’s night here). I hope i can get better with time, do u have any tips about how to edit with only soundbites? I’d love to see a video about it❤️

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@olmoweddingvideo I would say join the academy. Only because I show so much inside that will help you. Even a series all about “motivating scenes”. Super helpful for creating dialogue. Use the code “UNCUT” for 25% off your first two months.

[@thisisfilmatic]

First time watching these. I love how passionate you are for sure! I wouldn't take any of the wedding industry as serious, but I did bow out from weddings once we started charging about $8K a wedding. I knew it wasn't for me at all. I also wouldn't take what the other people take seriously, they are the "OLD" and you are the new! You and your content is a very good fresh change to the industry. Keep crushing it!

[@numbamedia]

What do you use to schedule your bookings? If you could talk more about that and on your next episode would be great Ian from Papua New Guinea ❤️🇵🇬

[@drakebuffingtonfilms]

Amen to this! I started out doing cookie cutter weddings and followed more filmmakers who have a documentary and slower style, not a slow motion style, but a slow burn and very emotional film telling the story of the couple and their families. I've driven myself to create with dialogue and encounters that they'd forget after the fact. Good stuff Justin! You're killing it with these.

[@mariahslatosch5192]

I’ve been saving for this academy and I cannot wait 🥹

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Let’s gooooo. So excited for you to join. Thank you for the support 🥹

[@victorbarrios6090]

Matt is very correct. It can be hard when you start with doing cookie cutter vids, but to get dialogue you'll have to eventually get out of your comfort zone & be a part of the wedding & ENGAGING WITH EVERYONE THERE. Get in the dance floor!! Some guests are harder than others but you'll find those that are willing to be in front of the camera or they just need that little bit of encouragement to loosen up. Had to be the one to step up to a few games the couple had planned at my last wedding 'cause no guests were making a move & were just stuck at waiting for coffee. What I like to do is walk up & do mini interviews that I can include in the video. It also doubles as a digital guest book. Still working on my style, but I'm liking where it's going so far. Not as cinematic as most out there atm but I like to prioritize genuine moments of people & their character, especially them acting a fool 😂 Year goals: Get out of my comfort zone from run & gunning by scripting & directing a couple films. & do calisthenics as a physical goal

[@manuteja]

Every filmmaker has their own market, don't forced their style and judge them with your statement Because each country and tradition is different, not every country and tradition have a dialogue, speeches, or vows in their wedding ceremony In Indonesia, slow motion wedding video is on demand, start with drone shot, and full of slow motion They (the filmmaker) usually have 20-30 wedding in a month, and hundred of wedding in a year with that style (the "template" you've said) In the end, every market have their own client and every client free to choose their wedding film style

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I disagree but to each his own.

[@ilyeselemer7250]

I totally agree with everything you are saying, and I'm sure that this style of filming will be the norm soon. Unfortunately where I live (Romania) it seems like we are still far behind you guys, I've been trying to get interviews on the wedding day from the families/friends or the couples but I haven't been successful a lot of times (I did succeed a few times sort of). Here people just seem to be afraid to speak in front of a camera, that's why we have someone which has the role of speaking instead of the couple and their families the whole day, some sort of a ceremony master.. which in theory should work but their speeches aren't that good most of the time. But I won't give up, I will keep trying and in the meantime I'm using any sneaky audio which I can record whenever people don't realize that I am recording them. :D You've been an inspiration and I hope that one day I can afford to enroll into your academy, but until then I will try to learn from the videos you put out here!

[@bzbowers]

i would like to start telling Better Storys in the wedding videos. This to me is want i need to stand out for the others in the Baton Rouge La area

[@joshualelo]

don't agree with everything justin said here, like everyone who doesn't adopt this style will be pushed out of business, or that he is the ONLY ONE teaching people how to create wedding films like this, but always gotta respect this man's grind, passion and pioneer spirit in this industry. keep pushing bro

[@B-Moye]

Justin is going for the kill with these. And when my mans hit the music button at the end, lol. Guy had me rolling. "omg matthew" lol 😆

[@JustinPorterMedia]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@justinporter5132]

Greatest name as we share the same Name but great video

[@whitelightningmedia]

Dannnnnnnnnnnnnng Ok, 1 minute of opening drone shots is excessive. But, I still think a quick opening drone shot is still ok, Here is my take. For example, I did a wedding and it was summer, it was so so sooo hot out, canola was in bloom, the venue was family cabin on a piece of land between 2 beautiful fields in bloom. The viewer is locked in after that, then absolutely get outside of the box and create dialogue. Find them joking with eachother get the audio of the bride and groom walking away from the ceremony saying "holy $h#t that was scary!! I am never doing that again!". I am on board but with both sides of this fight... I choose to be Switzerland on this one. Great video!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Let’s gooo. I love it. The thing that you said that most don’t do is you went out and got dialogue. Most don’t. Most just hope for the best and film as many details as they can of everything else. Love this for you. 🔥🔥🔥

[@leira_productions]

Love the idea of mic'ing bride and groom (and others) for the entire day. So, does that mean those lav mics are just constantly recording the entire time?

[@victorbarrios6090]

It'd be great but if you're worried about batteries dying or having a lot of empty space to go through, you could use something like a wireless mic from Hollyland or whichever & use the receiver to wirelessly start/stop recording to split the recordings. Also would allow you to record both straight into the cam but in some situations it's best to have both recordings separate so you're not stuck with the blend incase one of the mics happens to rub too much or one is louder & would allow to fix each recording individually. One benefit of a continuous recording though is that you won't have to worry about missing something

[@khaleelsutherland286]

Love the facts and you are speaking to me lol Mat is right but won’t change the game

[@person623276]

I mean I see where you are coming from, but how many Hollywood films open with a wide drone shot of a city? I'd say most, it just gives a piece of information, establishes location etc. sure there are other ways to do it but I wouldn't say it's wrong...?

[@developedmov]

I will say that I agree but 9/10 brides come to me with an inspo video with the "template". Slow-mo portraits, detail heavy and drone shots. I'd love to step outside the box more for weddings I really only get to if its someone I know personally.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Oh yea that’s common. The template is what’s being taught and showcased to couples. I get asked so much about the popular trends. I argue that couples only want this because it’s all they see lol. Love your mindset wanting to step outside the box 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@developedmov]

@@JustinPorterMedia yeah I had a bride ask me to remove the dialog/audio once because she just wanted a music video basically. I’d like to get to a point where I’m hired for my style, like your reality/documentary style. I realize that’ll take a while but I fear I’ll burnout from weddings before then lol anyway great episode man!

[@mohammadghannam96]

hopefully i can get to that level one day 😄

[@JustinPorterMedia]

100% you can 🥹🥹

[@stage5_]

bro. What's your usual wedding film turnaround with your unique approach?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Roughly 7-8 months. Mostly because we film a crazy amount each year lol

[@stage5_]

Okay. That certainly makes sense. I've said this before, but I appreciate what you've done to the industry. I'm 34 years old and I've always loved watching old VHS videos from weddings and other family functions. One of the things I appreciated was the lack of editing, getting to see the moment the exact way it happened, raw. I would say what you're doing is full 360. Just in a cinematic format. I appreciate what you're doing to the industry.@@JustinPorterMedia

[@JustinPorterMedia]

That means so much. I truly appreciate you. I also love the old school long vhs style videos. Honestly I'm not sure how we drifted so far from that in the industry. I hope 2024 is amazing for you. Thanks for the continued support.

[@stage5_]

@@JustinPorterMedia thanks brother!

[@verse7670]

I thought that was the way to go (slo mo bs), until you made reality style weddings a real thing. When I did weddings 20 years ago it was about the story, the fun and the moments. Then I saw the slomo stuff and thought weddings were doomed.

[@GreaterWorksGallery]

Heard you loud and clear. Making changes asap.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Let’s goooo heck yea. 🙌🏾🔥

[@kouleeofficial]

What if you’re a person who loves to love videos but you also have social anxiety?

[@th8132]

Matt is right. And that's the reality of the KZbin educated videography community.....just a bunch of copying and no creativity. And now with various AI tools coming out, you're about to see more lazily created videos. Fun times ahead.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Whew lol I detect no lies lol

[@HwayVision]

Or they are going to hire a content creator... 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@HwayVision]

All offense switch it up

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Haha YES! This is funny because content creators are cheaper and capture more "raw" moments than most videographers. It's a change happening lol

[@HwayVision]

​@JustinPorterMedia my lady is a content creator so I know first hand couples have chosen to hire her over a videographer because of the cheaper price tag and more organic moments. The industry needs to change the only people that should be making highlight films should be a content creator.

[@HwayVision]

Thats why the template event recap videographers are so mad.​@@JustinPorterMedia

[@leafsnomore]

It does not matter what shot starts your wedding video, if it feels right and is the right shot, it is perfectly fine. Matt Johnson is not anyone special, he is well known sure but he does not create wedding videos that are any better then other veteran good wedding shooters. Watch Stillmotion wedding videos. They will never be reciprocated. They are the bar. If you shoot B-roll and slow motion it does not matter, it does not take away from the story. The edit is where the true best of the best stand out. Sure there are thousands of cookie cutter wedding videos. I am sorry but you have a way of shooting and the fact that you think just because you get more audio tells the story better or by shooting slow motion is not capturing a story is a joke. I am sorry but you aren't anyone special Justin and your wedding videos are meh, long and boring. Editing is weak, music choice is weak. I have seen many shorter, b-roll, less audio wedding films that are way better then your stuff.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Whew you feel real triggered. Appreciate the engagement homie. Maybe you can be the change we need in the industry 😂