Wppi
 

Hi,
Is there someone who has been to the WPPI in Las Vegas ?
I know this is more focussed to photography then videography, but I do videography & photography and I would like to attend it.
But I'm from Belgium, so it's a big trip, so I would like to know if it's worthwhile.

I have friends (photographers) that go each year. They told me that they are seeing more video related stuff appearing each year. I think I am going to wait until next year to attend. Have you considered NAB?

Nab is in April right and it is especially dedicated for video right ?
But the reason I want to go to WPPI is because I'm in the wedding business and I hope to see some new stuff that is coming out or to get some new contacts to do business with for example for digital books etc.
But I don't know if it is good enough for that ?

WPPI would probably be more worth your while than NAB. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE NAB and attend every year, but it's more geared to broadcast production and larger scale productions. I love checking out the new toys and walk away each year with a new wishlist. WPPI does have a lot of video related exhibitors and such, and I suspect that this year will especially be with as many DSLRs on the market that shoot video. I am REALLY looking forward to WPPI this year more than ever!

Yeah I'm looking forward to it aswell.
Now I'm checking if I can make a holiday out of it.
So, for example 3 days to Las Vegas for the WPPI
Then travelling around, Utah, San Francisco, Hollywood, Beverly Hills.
If you can advice me some great things ... please do so.
I have never been there. :o)

Do you ski? Lake Tahoe is a great area. Otherwise, LA might be your best bet. San Diego is a beautiful city too. And San Francisco is very nice too, a little more cultured looking for a US West Coast city. Almost European in a way.

We attend WPPI every year as our studio provides both photography and cinematography. The usefulness of WPPI lessens the more times you go, but if you've never gone (and especially if you're relatively new to the photography business) I'd say it's fairly worthwhile.

Picking the right classes is a key, as some of the presenters have very little content and just like to fill their 'talk' with slideshows of their own work. Some of the classes are really good, though. I'd focus on business classes and generally avoid the 'creative' classes.

The trade show can be really useful if there are specific things you're in the market for (new cameras, lenses, album companies, etc.). If you're not in the market for anything like that then the trade show won't be all that useful probably.

We were actually considering skipping WPPI this year but we haven't decided yet. It would be quite a trip to make from Belgium. d;-) Let us know if you decide to go and maybe we can meet up and have lunch or something.

Travis,

If you decide to go I wouldn't mind meeting up with you and chewing the fat for a bit. Just checked out your site and I like your style. I only watched two random videos, but what I saw I really liked, I'll have to check out some more. Nice work!

Skiing ??
I like skiing, but is there snow overthere ?
I thought I could go for some swimming in the lake and just wearing shirts and stuff.
I didn't knew it is going to be that cold.
And Las Vegas ? It's in the dessert, so that should be hot right ? ;o)

The reason for going to the WPPI is only for the trade show.
meeting new people for album companies and stuff.
I don't really mind the classes because of what you say : Sometimes with little content they just want to fill the time and we have the internet to learn alot. ;o)

Thanks Andrew for the compliment : Which site did you saw ? Motion Pictures ?

I'm preparing the trip and I've written down the things I want to do or see :

* Yosemite Park
* Death Valley
* Route 66
* Going to a real FarWest or Cowboy village, but haven't figured out where.
* Monument Valley (isn't here that a lot of movies were made ? Back to the future etc ?)
* San Francisco : (Alcatraz, Lombard Street,Golden Gate)
* Vip experience in Universal Studio in Los Angeles (I've done Universal studios in Orlando in 2008, so I think the park is going to be the same, but in the Vip Experience in Hollywood, I've heard you can visit behind the scenes and in the prop-warehouses etc)
* Beverly Hills
* Venice Beach
* Hollywood Boulevard (walk of fame, chinese theatre)
* Meeting some movie stars. hehe ;o)
* Going to a typical american sportsgame (basketball, baseball or football), but I have no idea where to do this. ;o)

So this is it untill now, but I'm looking for some other things to do for planning the trip. ;o)
If you have some tips. bring them on. ;o)
I really like everything movie-related.

Andrew, sounds good. I'll try and let you know if we end up going.

Bart, Las Vegas is indeed in the desert, but it can still get cold during the winter. I usually bring a mix of clothing. I doubt you'd be swimming much, but you may find some days that are good for wearing shorts outside.

Bart,
Actually I was talking about Travis' work, but thanks for the link... I checked that out too and I'm very impressed as well! Loved the trailer... especially the guy giving himself a wedgie in his speedo... priceless... you're bound to get some traffic to your site from that last sentence. Anyway, I wouldn't mind meeting up with you as well... infact a WPPI meetup post will probably be popping up in the forum somewhere soon.

Travis, had some time.. watched some more of your work. I'm a fan! I dig what you do.

Ok, This is officially my first embarrassed moment of 2010. ;)
I didn't see you addressed it to Travis. :D
Anyway, I checked out Travis his site. Great work man ! Nice !

lol ... thanks guys. d;-)