You may think of this the close encounter of the artistic geniuses.<\/p>\n

How else would you describe international wedding videographer, Jason Magbanua<\/a>, doing the finale for the 2015 WaW Videofest for fellow world-renowned gown designer, Veluz Puno-Reyes<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Jason knows all too well the pulse of the WaW Videofest, having been part of the first run in 2009 and having been the subject of the 2011 Videofest. Now that this year\u2019s event puts the spotlight on Veluz, Jason once again takes to his comfort zone, behind the lens.<\/p>\n

When asked what the videofest means to him, his answer was, \u201cI think the unspoken thing about this, it\u2019s a friendly competition. So no matter how friendly we are, all these people are my \u2018compares\u2019, it\u2019s still a friendly competition. Not to outdo each other but to just push ourselves individually of what we can do. Because the cinema, it\u2019s a platform that we rarely get the chance to have. And regardless of how close the topic is or even if it doesn\u2019t have mass appeal, because still the niche is wedding or to be limited about it it\u2019s about Weddings at Work in general, it\u2019s still a great platform to be featured in.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Videofest star is no stranger to Jason as he and Veluz<\/a> have been on the same aisle, so to speak, countless times and a run-in with the designer is an ordinary occurrence. Just another working day for both. But during the production Jason was surprised at what he learned about Veluz. Jason shares, \u201cBefore the interviews I did not think I could admire and respect Veluz more.”<\/p>\n

On the treatment that he used for the film he says, \u201cI already know that there exists a bond, this relationship that exists between Veluz and the brides. It\u2019s plain to see. But to be able to present it in a visually arresting manner, that was the task, how to make it visually engaging.\u201d He furthers, \u201cA lot planning went into what I did. I suppose a third of the time was thinking about what to execute, what to do\u2026more of treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

On his work about Veluz, Jason<\/a> shares, \u201cThe title of my piece is \u201cThe Most Beautiful Dress You Will Ever Wear.\u201d And the set piece is a body form mannequin without a dress. I wanted to communicate that there is no one beautiful dress but all of these dresses owned by the brides that I talked to, their dress is the most beautiful for them. It\u2019s the bond between the designer and the bride which makes it the MOST beautiful. It is up in the sky. It is intangible, it is abstract. It is in their minds. Whatever design the designer thinks of for the bride that is placed on that body form, based on their dynamics, that\u2019s the most beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

The genius storyteller that Jason is focuses on Veluz through her brides and their deep relationship. Nothing else. In fact there is nothing else that will distract you from that while watching this film. Jason masterfully worked in a minimalist visual treatment to provide the viewer with an unobstructed scene. Set against a starkly sparse background with just the hint of fabric, a chair and bright, fresh lighting that draws your attention to the bride on the hot seat. No diversions present. Just the bride and what she has to say. The story is in her words. Just listen.<\/p>\n

Jason creates the most perfect homage to the artistry of Veluz, a quiet listen of the work of a great artist, whose secret to creating the perfect dress for the bride is to listen to the person, to that girl inside as she pours her heart out and shares her precious dream wedding. Listening is Veluz\u2019s her greatest form of respect for her bride. It is a kindness that she shows to all her brides and a kindness that Jason, who perfectly understands those silent but profound ripples, returns to Veluz in this sublime tribute.<\/p>\n

What makes Veluz shine in this film and in real life, according to Jason, is \u201cher authenticity. She\u2019s a listener. She does not compromise. It is not about the money, no matter how expensive she is. It is how she treats her work, her staff and her brides. She\u2019s is true to herself and to everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason Magbanua\u2019s \u201cThe Most Beautiful Dress You Will Ever Wear<\/a>\u201d for the 2015 WaW Veluz Videofest.<\/p>\n