Rashi + Anuj: The Trivedi Wedding Trailer

Have we mentioned how much we LOVE three day weddings?!? If not, let us tell you - they are seriously one of our favorite things! Spending a day with a couple is beyond wonderful, but being able to share an entire weekend with them, especially their family who has come in from literally all across the world, is such a joyous and exciting opportunity for us! It's even better though when the couple is as GORGEOUS and FUN as Rashi + Anuj!

Their awe-inspiring traditional Indian wedding was the thing of dreams, and it was so easy for us to get caught up in the wedding weekend magic. On top of being welcomed and greeted by so many familiar faces that we have come to love, we were instantly taken with Rashi's exquisite taste and style, Anuj's light and incredibly kind spirit, and the love that these two just radiated when together.

We've fallen in love with them, there is no denying that! I mean, how could you not? Make sure to show this breathtaking couple some love as we wish every happiness in the world to the stunning Mr+Mrs Trivedi!

The Frontlines of Filmmaking

There’s something you should know about making movies. It’s pretty easy. Kind of like making pasta, putting on socks, riding a bike. Oh, wait, that's right - it's SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT!

You see, even the smallest, shortest, and simplest of films take hours upon hours of work, planning, development, and creating. Everything from long sleepless nights of work, blood, sweat, and computers go into making a movie in today's day and age. On top of that, if you want to make your dream movie, you need to do some hardcore networking and take a few classes on bank robbing OR have deep pockets; because they cost a lotta dolla billz.

As some of you might be aware, Michigan's legislature recently just slaughtered the budget of the Michigan Film Office. What does that mean? Well that means the funds available to the Film Office to award to local crews and movies being made here in our great state has been axed and starting in just a few months all funds remaining with the office will revert back to the State. They plan on taking away resources that help make movies in Michigan. Why? To fix roads...not the worst reason, but it still is a sucker punch to the gut for us filmmakers!

Don't get us wrong, we are not protesting here; it is just a bit disappointing. But you know what - we are local filmmakers and we believe in the power of storytelling in our community - and West Michigan is that community. The news sent shock waves throughout the industry just two weeks back when the announcement was made, and many of the indie filmmakers here in the area have already noted they are packing up shop and moving elsewhere - but this is our home, our community, and we aren't ready to abandon it. 

While the next few years are unclear, and what happens to the narrative industry is still to tell, we aren't running; we are digging in, now more than ever, and we are determined to make the dream happen here. We believe in telling stories in Grand Rapids, in West Michigan, in Michigan period, and we are setting out to do just that this summer with our project, Garden Party!

We are stepping out onto the front lines and trying to tell a story in the most creative, funny, and professional way we know how. Despite it being hard, tough, and a lot of work, we are so excited to make a movie and we are doing it regardless of the obstacles. Heck, we are still making the movie even if we don't raise all of our funds through IndieGoGo - which is kind of scary, but hey, we believe in storytelling.

So, who is Garden Party for? You! Grand Rapids! Michigan! The world! We are so excited to be making a film that can bring so many competing ideas together in a funny and interesting way. It's truly the physical embodiment of what the Incentives were meant for all along. So please, consider joining our efforts to make something awesome by checking out our IndieGoGo campaign. We aren't just looking for cash donors--we are looking for people to get in on the experience. Our perks for supporting Garden Party actually make you a part of something bigger.

So yes, our state cut critical incentives to help local filmmakers like us tell stories to share with you, our friends. But we aren't going anywhere - we are sticking here, digging our feet in, and setting out to continue the dream of storytelling. Help us in doing so with this story, and the many others we are setting out to tell!

Summertime Magic

There was something magical about this day when you were a child. From the summer winds that called you to new adventures, to the bright light shows that woke up the night sky; these are the memories we cherish and think back to fondly as adults. May we remember these moments of freedom so rightly underscored by innocence and youthfulness.

Happy 4th of July all! Hope your celebration with family and friends was a blessed one today!

-Matthew

The Garden Launch Party!

We just want to take a minute to thank everyone who came out to the official launch for Garden Party last weekend! We loved having you all over to our office space so we could tell you all about this amazing story and give you a first hand look into what this project is shaping up to be.

It was an awesome night of laughter, great conversations, excellent company, and some exclusive sneak peeks into what we've got waiting for you all in just the coming months. 

Garden Party isn't just another film, and it isn't just another crowdfunding campaign you can contribute toward that'll leave you out in the cold; it's an engaging and captivating story that we are designing so you can experience it as if it were real. 

Stay tuned for more Garden fun coming soon!

(Shout out to our amazing friend and photographer genius, Noah Prefontaine, for these awesome launch party photos!)

CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC SERIES

The Division of Business

Academics are central to university and scholarly life. As Alumni, having experienced first hand the power Cornerstone University's academics has equipped us with makes us respect and appreciate all the divisions of study at our alma mater. Academically, students receive a highly regarded education in an environment where Christ is central. Cornerstone challenges their students to think critically and to push themselves to maximize their abilities. At the end of one's college career, students walk away with not just a diploma to begin the next phase of their lives, students leave prepared to make a positive difference and influence in the world around them.

THE DIVISION OF Music

The Division of Kinesiology, Science, and Math

The Division of Bible, Religion, and Ministry

Check out the full series here!

A Year in Reflection

It's always an honor to make films like these for our Alma Mater. They remind us of the special community that fostered our professional skills, many life long friendships, and instilled a Truth that can never be taken away. It's an invaluable experience that we carry with us day to day. 

Cornerstone University is not just a collection of buildings where people come to take classes. It's a community and a home, not just for us, but for many others before and after us. These campus paths have led countless undergrad and graduate students not only to their dream careers, but also to form lives that are changing the world around them. Here's to you all who burned the midnight oil to get your projects done on time, to those who got exceptional grades while juggling many extra curricular activities, to those who inspired their friends and families with their hard work and dedication to complete a higher education degree. 

We are proud to be counted among the wonderful graduates of this fine institution. Congratulations to the Graduating class of 2015!!!

Dynasty: Four Years of Storytelling

We are so excited to be celebrating four years of storytelling this weekend not just as a team but also as a family of filmmakers. We've loved sharing our films and passion with you all and we are beyond stoked for this new year of storytelling that is ahead for us. Thanks for watching