Meet Julien Grincajgier | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julien Grincajgier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julien, what role has risk played in your life or career?

Opting for a career in the arts involves taking a significant risk. Living solely off one’s art can be quite challenging, often necessitating the need for supplemental income through additional work. It requires a considerable investment of time, effort, discipline, perseverance, and of course, a bit of luck.

It’s definitely a unique lifestyle. Achieving stability can be particularly challenging, especially in the early stages of an artist’s career. Until one attains a certain level of success, they may face criticism and judgment from those who believe pursuing art isn’t a ‘real’ career choice.

Success in the art world doesn’t come easily or quickly. It often takes many years of unwavering dedication and hard work. During this time, artists may witness others achieving milestones like starting families, while they continue to persist in their craft, patiently waiting for their moment to shine.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

For as long as I can remember, I always had a real passion for Cinema and Filmmaking. Growing up in France, my childhood was all about watching movies, behind the scenes footage and making short films with my dad’s camera. My parents were always very encouraging of me pursuing a career as a film director and therefore I attended and graduated from film school in Paris.

I then worked as assistant director on TV series, movies, music videos and commercials in Paris.

I went on to establish my own film and video production company called Immediate Entertainment during which time I wrote, produced and directed a short film called “Remembering the Fallen”, a 15 minute WWII short film that won 13 awards for best short film, best cinematography and best music in both U.S. and international film festivals.

Since then, I have been working on my personal movie projects, writing scripts, and working as a producer and director on corporate videos, music videos and commercials. I also expanded my production company and establish Light and Motion Films in 2022, specialized in crafting unique, cinematic wedding videos.

The inspiration for Light and Motion Films, struck while my wife when we were in search of a wedding videographer for our own wedding. We found that many wedding videos lacked the high quality, creativity, and artistry we desired. It was when my wife showed me videos of the best wedding videographers in the world that we couldn’t afford that I realized, “I can do that”.

I would go on to use my experience in film making to craft unique, cinematic wedding videos, using real movie cameras, approaching both shooting and editing with the meticulous attention to detail characteristic of filmmaking, rather than documenting an event, and I would do it for a reasonable budget.

My greatest joy lies in entertaining people with visual storytelling. My goal became to create artistic and cinematic wedding videos that would captivate not only those involved in the wedding but also anyone who watches them.

My vision was clear: to produce high quality wedding videos inspired by classic Hollywood motion pictures in style, storytelling, and cinematography.
With my work in filmmaking with Immediate Entertainment, I possessed most of the necessary high end equipment and the expertise from my experience in the film industry.

However, crafting an entertaining and compelling wedding video that tells the story of the couple and the events of the wedding day can sometimes be challenging due to various reasons such as lack of material or wedding day time constraints.

In terms of challenges in the wedding cinematography industry, one of the biggest hurdles I have faced is the misunderstanding by the general public of the immense challenge involved in shooting a wedding.

Our work goes beyond just capturing the couple and begins before the wedding day itself. Aside from the couple, the location and venue of the wedding is also a crucial character in the overall story and therefore we make sure to dedicate time before the wedding day to capture the essence and beauty of the city and venue that was so carefully chosen, making it a memorable and comprehensive experience for the couple.

Shooting a wedding may appear simple, it’s far from it. While anyone can hold a camera and hit record, not everyone possesses the skills to use it. Knowing how to find the right angle and capture the raw emotions of the day requires a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.

The pressure of shooting a wedding video rivals that of making a movie, but with a crucial difference: there are no second chances. Each moment is fleeting and irreplaceable, demanding constant vigilance and readiness to capture every significant detail. Even the most meticulously planned events can take unexpected turns, necessitating adaptability and quick thinking from the videographer.

However, the challenges don’t end once the wedding day concludes. In fact, much of the work occurs during the post-production phase. I do all of the editing myself, and the editing of a wedding video is a time-consuming and complex process that requires a significant investment of time and creativity. From selecting the perfect music to establishing the right rhythm and pacing, every decision contributes to shaping the final narrative.
We as wedding videographers must strive to create a cohesive and emotionally resonant narrative that reflects the unique essence of each couple and their special day.

In summary, shooting and editing a wedding video is a labor-intensive work that demands both technical proficiency and artistic finesse. It’s a craft that requires patience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both the technical and emotional aspects of storytelling.

Instinct plays a crucial role, but above all, it’s my passion for cinema and my experience in the movie industry that have been the driving forces behind my success. They have enabled me to create beautiful cinematic stories that resonate deeply with audiences.

Passion is absolutely essential. It’s the cornerstone of everything I do. Without passion, true success would be unattainable. I firmly believe that being passionate about the art you create is the key to achieving greatness. It’s what fuels my drive to excel every single day.

For me, success is not just about financial gains. It’s about finding fulfillment and joy in the work that you do. True success is waking up every morning excited to pursue your passion. It’s about loving what you do for a living. Every single video I create is a reflection of my heart and soul.

Before even starting a project, I need to feel a profound connection to it and genuinely love it. If a project touches my heart, I know it’s good, and I’m confident that the client will love it too.

Loving the projects I work on isn’t just a factor in my success—it’s the foundation of it. It drives my creativity, ensures authenticity in my work, and ultimately leads to the successful delivery of each project

Having my wife, Yenny, by my side to manage the company has been invaluable. She inspires me and my decisions. She brings a wealth of skills in tech, marketing and communication to our business, and she also assists me on some of my video shoots.

Filmmaking allows me to fully express myself and showcase my true identity. Creating art is not just a desire, but a necessity for me. It serves as my therapy and brings me to life. Completing a project and moving on to the next one always feels like embarking on a new journey. The sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from seeing a piece of art that I have worked on for months or even years is truly exhilarating.

Like many artists, I am driven by the desire to leave a mark on history. We strive to change the world, to introduce new perspectives, and to touch people’s hearts in a profound way that resonates across generations. The idea of creating something that continues to entertain and inspire, long after we’re gone, is incredibly fulfilling. It’s about leaving behind a legacy of creativity and emotion that transcends time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I live in Orlando, and when it comes to fun, Disney World and Universal Studios are the main go-to spots. These theme parks have some of the best rides on the planet. I’ve been going there since I was a kid visiting on vacation, and even now as a local, I still have fun when I go. Walking around Universal Studios lots and seeing rides that have been made and inspired by iconic films is particularly inspiring for me and I hope to one day make a film as inspirational as those that have made their mark at a Universal Studios or Disney park.

For nature lovers who seek something different, I would suggest going to the springs. King’s Landing is one of our favorites. Shingle Creek is also a beautiful place for peaceful kayaking.

Plant Street Market in Downtown Winter Garden is a foodie’s dream, with eats from all over, including a taste of home with Raclette Cheese, a French classic.

Park Avenue in Winter Park is also great for a nice stroll, great food and arts.

Mount Dora is next on the list for a laid-back afternoon of shopping, walking, having a drink and eating, making sure to grab a bite at Beirut Bites, the best Lebanese spot in town.

If you’re lucky enough to catch a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, that is a must do.

Coconuts on the Beach in Cocoa Beach, is our main go to beach lunch spot soaking in those beachy vibes.

For the dinner, Bites and Bubbles is on my top ten. They have a cute rooftop and their amazing Cheeseburger cooked in duck fat is my favorite burger in Town.

And after dinner, for drinks, Mathers in Downtown Orlando is a nice place to end the night, especially around Christmas. It’s got this cozy, homey feel with a touch of magic that’s just perfect for the holidays.

And they can’t go back to France before eating a teppanyaki at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse..

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you to my wife, all friends and family who encouraged me and supported me.

Website: https://www.lightandmotionfilms.com https://www.immediate-entertainment.com

Instagram: @lightandmotionfilms @immediate_entertainment

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/light-and-motion-films-128257254/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightandmotionfilms

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/light-and-motion-films-orlando

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lightandmotionfilms

Other: https://www.immediate-entertainment.com https://www.lightandmotionfilms.com

Image Credits
1 – Julien G. on set directing his short film – Remembering the fallen – Immediate Entertainment 2 – Screenshot – Short film – Remembering the Fallen – Immediate Entertainment 3 – Screenshot – Wedding Film – Light and Motion Films 4 – Screenshot – Wedding film – Light and Motion Films 5 – Screenshot – Short film – Remembering the Fallen – Immediate Entertainment 6 – Short film poster – Remembering the Fallen – Immediate Entertainment