Who is the Swamp Queen?

In my travels, one of the most common questions I get is, "What does the "SQ" of SQ Video Productions stand for?

The answer is, "Swamp Queen".

Who is she? That was the name we gave to a cement sculpture found in the woods, off the long driveway to Red Rock Recording Studios in Saylorsburg, PA. Driving by, it actually took me by surprise and I had to get out of the car and get a closer look. All the pics on this page are a result of that moment.
I was going to Red Rock to record my first jazz CD with my trio. Jason Harris my bass player, and drummer, Ian Ash, were both inspired along with me to record an improvised tune and name it Swamp Queen. The CD was entitled Unwanted Curtains and although it is currently out of print, you can still find "Too White/Swamp Queen" included with my other original music in the iTunes store on, "Second Chances", a CD of originals and previously unreleased material produce by the Tamer Tewfik Fan Club. Yes...I have a fan club but that's another blog entry.

Famed pianist Eric Doney produced Unwanted Curtains and he suggested that I quickly create a record label to distribute my music. He wrote down "Swamp Queen Music" on a piece of paper as we created the album art. I loved the name so we decided to keep it. When it came time to create the production company, I just couldn't leave the Swamp Queen out of it, hence the name. Although it has been a marketing challenge, I just couldnt let her go. She was there from the beginning of it all.

It's been over a decade since I met the Swamp Queen and weather and time may have taken their toll on her. She may no longer even be there, peering out at the driveway, but I will always remember my first trip to the studio to record my first CD.

If you look carefully, you will also notice the Swamp Queen in the frames of the filmstrip in our logo. She will always be with me. A lot of my original music is used in some of our videos. As a musician, I do my best to source the composer and titles of all music used in our video production projects with a link directing where it can be
purchased.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope the "Queen" put a smile on your face as she did mine. - Tamer

SQP'S TechTalk - Being the "Master of Your Own Domain"

By Tamer Tewfik and Mike Dotterer

We started offering website design and programming to a few select clients a few years ago so when new clients asked us if we could add their videos to their websites, my response was always the same, "Sure we can. We just need to access your hosting so we can update your page files." Some have no idea what we are talking about and give us their web company's information to make it happen. That's usually where the saga ends because nine times out of ten, we never get a call back from the web-company.

As we began talking to more businesses about their web-service, we discovered that smaller businesses were having trouble trying to get a request fulfilled from their web-people. We only recently officially added web design and programming to our list of services but in the few years that we have been involved with it we have learned some interesting things.

Many website owners do not know where their domain name is registered. Not only do they not know where it is registered, they don't know who their host is.

Note:

• Your domain name is the URL or web site address that people type into a browser to go to your site and your host is the company that stores your web-pages on a server offering it publicly to the world wide web for the world to see.
  
• Both your registry and host require passwords to access your account. These are often different.
  
• Some companies offer both domain name registration and hosting but beware of cheap hosting plans. They're good for small 5 page sites but as soon as you start using a lot of space or bandwidth as your site gets popular, it cost more than it normally would. Also, cheap hosting companies can have slower backbone connections to the internet resulting in what feels like a delay for your site to load into your browser.
  

Some web companies are wary to give the usernames and passwords to their client's hosting or registry because with this information the client can have a third party edit and manage their websites or even download all the files from the server to have them build on another host subsequently losing their business.

Now, if a company was prompt and handled a client's request quickly and professionally, they wouldn't have to be concerned about losing their business. By refusing to give out the access information to the client's web-files, they are attempting to keep a stronghold on the client's business. In some cases, I have heard of web-companies taking down client sites to get a client's attention or, in rare cases, deleting entire sites as retribution if they get wind that a client is attempting to switch. No joke. We have rescued a few people from a situation where they were being grossly overcharged for simple web updates and felt there was nothing they could do about it. They were trapped. For example, we were able to rescue a recent client's website and all the content on it, but unfortunately, they needed to change their domain name due to the web company basically holding the domain name hostage. The client had paid the web company to register the domain name, but the web company had "conveniently" registered it under the web company's name! Bad news.

Folks...this is an abusive relationship. Holding someone's passwords hostage or taking their sites down as a warning in order to keep their business is extortion.

We see it differently...

You as the client, have paid for your hosting and for your domain name. You have the right to know the passwords created to develop and maintain your website. You have a right to access it whenever you want. You also have the right as an American citizen to do business with whomever you want at any time you want. If you are not happy, you have the right to move on. WE are not The Masters of Your Domain...YOU are. We simply manage your sites for you. We are the managers...not the owners.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Well, if you are one of those web owners who do not know where your domain name is registered, your hosting is or login information for either, we recommend you call your web or IT people asap and ask for this information. Since you have paid for it, it's your right to have it and know it. If you are met with resistance for or down-right refused this information, you may need to consider changing who manages your website.

Also, make sure your domain name registration information is correct and current. The information listed in the administrative, billing or technical contact records of your domain should be your information. If you have your domain name access information, login to it and check it out. If you don't have it, or are waiting to hear from your web company now that you've requested it, a quick whois look up at a web site like www.betterwhois.com will list the public information on record as to who is the the contact for any web site. Some registrars, such as GoDaddy, offer a popular private proxy type of registration that will only list GoDaddy as the contact information for a domain name, but at least it will point you in the right direction where you can then make a phone call.

Here's a DO-List if you are shopping for a web company:

1. Try to register your own domain name. It's only about $10 a year to register and very easy to do. Create an account at an online registry like www.godaddy.com and type in some possible names you would like to use to see if they are available. Once you find one, purchase it there and keep you username and password for your records. That's it.
   
2. If you will leave the registering to your IT people, then make sure to ask that they provide you the name of the company that is registering your domain name and hosting your webpages and all associated account usernames and passwords.
   

Becoming The Master of Your Domain is not difficult. It takes a bit of organizing and a few phone calls but it is very worth it. Having the option to access your domain and hosting company will allow you to make your changes and updates quickly. Technology is always changing and having a site that can be accessed and updated with cutting edge technology and simple SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is vital as technology moves forward. We will cover SEO in more detail in our next newletter. Contact us for more information on, or to ask for help becoming the Master of your Domain.

SQ Video Productions Shoots Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine Cover

On March 10th, we shot over 800 digital photographs, including the one on the left, at Adventure Aquarium in Camden NJ, trying to capture the cover shot for the June issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine. For over half a century, TFH has been the world's leading aquarium magazine and is the best source of accurate, fascinating, up-to-the-minute information on the aquarium hobby, from small freshwater tanks to wall-sized reef tanks and even beautifully landscaped garden ponds. TFH has always featured expert authors and world-class photography in order to educate and entertain hobbyists from beginner to experts month after month.

When I got the call to shoot for TFH, of course I was honored. I was joined by photographers, Jordan Oplinger and Lucy Draus. Our cameras of choice, The Canon 40D and the brand new 5D Mark II that shoots, in addition to stills, 1080p High-Definition video! See a short behind-the-scenes video shot entirely with this camera by clicking on the video image directly below. Video by SQ Productions and music by Jonn Savannah (www.jonnsavannah.com)

We used Canon lenses of various speeds and lengths. We were also aided by SQP editor and audio engineer Mike Gorzynski (pictured with the sea turtle to the right). You can see all of the shots on our flash gallery.

Our directive was to try and capture the TFH CEO swimming with the sharks along with columnist Shari Horowitz with AAQ's new hammerhead. We had a blast getting some incredible shots of so many different species. Especially Mr. Sea Turtle over there, he loved the cameras!

After the lights cooled and the cameras stopped snapping, we couldn't help but wonder if among the over 800 images, we had indeed gotten "the" shot. The one shot that would be worthy of the cover. Remember the shot at the top of this article? Yep, we got it. Thanks to Lucy Draus who was bursting away in portrait position as the Saw Shark passed over and right into our lights!

Yep, we got it. Thanks to Lucy Draus!

Look for the June issue on shelves now. In addition to the photo credits, SQ Productions will be mentioned in the story along with many more of our shots. Don't forget to visit Adventure Aquarium in Camden.

SQ Video Productions Rolls with the Punches!

What is covered in tattoos, has a high pain threshold, and flies past you at 10 miles an hour while cursing like a sailor? The answer? The Philly Roller Girls.

The Philly Roller Girls are a skater-owned and operated all-girl roller derby league and a proud member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Since 2005, they have developed a league of athletic, ferocious, women-on-wheels and have brought roller derby back to Philadelphia!

SQ Video Productions was on-the-scene at a sold-out show at their new venue, the 23rd Street Armory located at 22 South 23rd Street. We, and a few friends, have taken on the project to develop a pilot episode for Comcast Cable. See our trailer below.We hope that Comcast will buy the season. Judging by the growing popularity, attendance and enthusiastic audiences, it looks like this could be a real possibility.

We had six cameras covering the action from every angle including lavalier mics on both coaches, a referee and a player on each team. This kind of production will definitely take you deep into the world of The Philly Roller Girls.
Click the video below to check out the recent trailer for the Roller girls production posted to Vimeo. Pretty intense:

I have to admit, as a camera operator, it was my job to figure out where the important action was. Although I wasn't familiar with the rules of Roller Derby, about a quarter way into the match I began to figure out what was happening and I could easily follow the "Jammers" around the track. Being the close-up camera positioned in the center of the track, I must have spun around over 500 times following the girls. Along with making me a bit dizzy, it made for some really cool footage. All I can say is, "Hey girls, way to go!

Three teams compete each year for the famed Warrior Cup. They also have an all-star travel team, the Liberty Belles. The Belles represent Philadelphia in bouts around the country. Currently, they are ranked 3rd in the WFTDA, having taken this slot at the 2008 WFTDA championship.

(left, the crew and a few roller girls after the match) Find out more information at The Philly Roller Girls' Website. You can always purchase tickets by clicking here. Show up at the door and you might not get in. They sell out quick.

Wedding Audio: Gosh, darn it...Do it RIGHT!

Beware of wedding video pitfalls! While we are proud of our audio abilities, there are things you as the client can do be sure nothing gets in the way of a great video production for your wedding. Below are eight tips to keep in mind.

CEREMONY TIPS:
1. Ask your officiant if they mind wearing a microphone for the cameras. In other words, they will not be audible to your guests, only to our audio recorder and cameras.

Good Answer: "Sure. What ever he needs. It'll make me sound great on your video."

Not Good: "Nah. The alter is for cleansed souls only. I do not want anyone approaching me, I'm already wearing a mic for the sound system. I don't want to wear two mics. I have a loud voice anyway and won't need a mic."

If the answer is the latter, no matter how loud the officiant's voice is, it will sound like they are talking in a far away tunnel on your video!

2. Brides. Even though your husband to be is wearing a mic, it's not necessarily a time to watch your mouth and to be extra quiet. On the contrary, both of your should let the endearments and esoteric comments fly. This is your chance to have them immortalized on your wedding video. Not to worry, if anything mentioned is too insipid or embarrassing, the editors will most likely leave it on the cutting room floor.

3. Many reader's think they have to move the podium mic closer to their mouths to be heard. Not true. Let you reader's know that the podium mics are cardiod microphones and they use electric technology to actually shoot out 5-10 inches past the head to pick up sound. There is no need to move the podium mic right next to your mouth or lean down as if to eat it. By staying about 12 inches from the mic head, they'll be heard fine and they'll aviod the "popping" consonants that can ruin audio.

4. Make sure your organist and/or musicians know that they will be recorded with a microphones during the ceremony. The last thing you need is to have your musicians protesting that there are microphones near them. Unusual but it happens. It is always best to clear it with them ahead of time.

THE RECEPTION:

1. Tell the band that you're going to need a good audio feed from your sound system to the videographer's audio engineer. All sound systems can do this and most bands will be helpful since it only makes them sound better on the video.

Good Answer: "Sure we can do it. What ever he/she needs and if he/she wants, we'll give him/her a separate auxiliary out so he can have total control of his mix."

Not Good: "I dunno. I can't have anyone plug in into my sound-system. Can't he just place a mic near my speakers?"

2. Toasts. Now here is the reverse of the podium mic issue. The DJ or band's mics are usually dynamic mics and they depend on vibration to produce sound so they will need to be placed almost on the lips of the person giving a speech. Watch how close the DJ holds the mic to his mouth. When giving a toast, with a band mic, it's time to "eat the mic." Tell your toasters that if they use BOTH their hands to talk and the mic wanders away from their mouth, the sound mixer is forced to push up the gain on the mic and that can result in the noisy background so common in toast footage.

3. Some wedding videographers like, dvideography.com use voiceovers from relatives and/or good friends, that know you well, to help tell the story of your wedding day. The people who are already making speeches need not do the VO. Make sure you have at four people, pre-picked, that most likely won't make a speech so we can have a good variety of audio to choose from. Make sure to tell your VO candidates that they have indeed been chosen and, during the reception, they will be taken to another room to record and that we will only need them for 5 minutes. That way they are not taken by surprise.

4. So...Uncle Seymour or Grandma Fanny wants to stand up and surprise you with an announcement or speech during dinner? That's great! Make sure you remember that if you're eating dinner that your vendor's are probably eating too. Before they start "eating the mic", make sure that the photographer and videographer's are there ready to shoot. Nothing's worse than an important moment lost to spontaneity.