Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Burgett.
Hi Madeleine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story with filmmaking began way back when in high school. I was always a big feeler and loved connected with people on an emotional level. When I was 15 years old, I had the opportunity to create a film showcasing and celebrating people. I won’t go into too much detail about it, but I knew that I wanted these people to feel truly seen and understood. This project was right up my ally, as I have always been a big feeler and loved connecting with others. This was the first film I had ever really created, and the one that sparked my love for emotive story-telling. I had never experienced creating something that connected with other’s emotions on such a deep level. I noticed how it affected the people in it, and others who watched, and quickly realized this new and budding passion.
Around that same time, I watched my first wedding video. I grew up around a lot of marriages that didn’t work out, and I remember feeling so overwhelmed watching something that celebrated marriage in such a beautiful way. I had never seen anything like that before. I quickly knew that this was something I wanted to learn more about.
Fast forward to college. At that point, being a wedding filmmaker was a dream of mine. I was always a little embarrassed to share that with people because it wasn’t “normal” haha. It seemed silly to me, so I didn’t share it with too many people. One of the friends that I shared it with happened to be a photographer in the San Diego area, and knew of a wedding videography company that was hiring. I jumped on the opportunity, applied, and was hired by this team within the month. I worked for this company for about four years and overtime became one of their main filmmakers and editors. It was such an amazing way to gain experience and knowledge! So appreciative of that time.
My time there was so life giving. However, I started to realize that it wasn’t checking all of my boxes. Because this wasn’t my own company, I started to feel a bit trapped creatively, and felt like I wasn’t fulfilling that want to connect on a deeper level with the couples I was filming (I met most of them the day of their wedding). This company ended up offering me a full time job. After much deliberation, I took a leap of faith and declined their offer, as I wanted to start taking my dream of owning my own company seriously.
I am so thankful that I did. Right after that happened, I officially started Films by Madeleine. That was a year and a half ago, and since then I have been able to connect with so many amazing couples and tell emotive stories through the art of film. I really, really love my job and the journey it took to get here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely was not a smooth road! As I explained in the previous question in a bit more depth, it was a long race to get to where I am today. It took time for me to really narrow down what my passions were, and lots of hoops to jump through before I could really run with it at full force.
Self doubt was one of the biggest obstacles I had to get past. I used to think, “this is a silly dream”, “it won’t ever happen”, “you aren’t good enough”. I compared myself to other companies and though, “I won’t ever be at their level”. Now, I’m not here saying I am completely rid of these thoughts. I think those thoughts are just part of being a human. However, I have learned that I am capable of proving them wrong and that I can do anything I set my mind to. I am so proud of what Films by Madeleine is, and love that it is such a reflection of my personal heart and passions.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a wedding filmmaker based in Souther California. I get the honor of capturing couples on one of the most important days of their lives, and tell their story intentionally and with heart. I really really really love my job. I strive to create films that make people feel truly seen and understood, and that touches every corner of their hearts.
I am passionate about nostalgia & the honest journey of life. With its ups and downs, grand gestures and the tiny moments in between, I truly believe that there is beauty to be found in it all. I am so fulfilled having turned this deep desire and passion in my heart into Films by Madeleine, where I get to create nostalgic, artistic films that take you on an emotional journey and make you feel. I really noticed my love for nostalgia when I discovered my family’s old home videos. I spent many hours converting those old tapes to Digital files, and those files are some of the most prized possessions I own. My films are greatly inspired by the the authenticity that home videos bring.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Through many different experiences in my lifetime, I have developed an emotional intelligence that I think really plays a huge role in my life and the art I create. I truly am an empath through and through. This empathy and emotional intelligence gives me the ability to notice and understand all of the beautiful feelings that come on a wedding day and help me be intentional with the way that I craft each film that I create. I am an enneagram four, with a wing three. This basically means that I put heart into everything that I do, to the best of my ability.
I value raw and authentic moments. I love creating cinematically beautiful films, but the anchor of every film I create are the raw and organic moments that I sprinkle throughout each film. Being able to be attentive to moments like that while filming and editing has taken my ability as a filmmaker to a whole new level and is the core of everything that I create.
Pricing:
- My Souther California prices start at $4,100
- My travel prices start at $5,100
- Feel free to inquire with me for more details on all of that!
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@filmsbymadeleine.com
- Website: www.filmsbymadeleine.com
- Instagram: Films by Madeleine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmsbymadeleine
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySMw5DCtWnDYwv-DxGcl8w
Image Credits
Sydney Noelle Photography – Portrait.
