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Old Wives Tales About Wedding Video Are Dead Wrong!

By admin · Comments (0) · Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Wedding video has made huge leaps in both quality and style over the last few years.

Yet old wives tales seem to still persist.

Old wives tales are kinda like urban legends…they sound really believable…but they’re a lie.

Many, many years ago…when video was first available to consumers, video hobbyists started shooting weddings…generally for extra income or to support their expensive hobby and love of new video equipment. Along with that came some bad practices, amateur video, and horror stories that were passed from bride to bride or wedding planner to bride.

Back then, if you saw a great video, it was shot by television personnel or real filmmakers and only the wealthy could afford it. Think about the few people who could afford a great wedding video…the Kennedys…and royalty.

Well…with consumer grade video like VHS and the consumer version of BETA, wedding video was democratized. Thats a GOOD thing!

For years, wedding videographers have struggled to get the respect they deserve. In the early days, they had to lug around huge equipment and use lights that would practically blind you… but all that has changed. Videographers and their associations have worked closely with major video gear manufacturers for many years. This has ensured the development of new equipment that is specifically designed for the intimacy of weddings and social events. As a result, professional video cameras have become smaller, lightweight and require very little light to produce extraordinary images from ceremonies and receptions.

Computer-based editing now allows skilled videographers to create high-quality wedding productions on DVD or even Blu-Ray. Improvements in digital video production techniques have allowed creative wedding and event videographers to turn out programs that rival anything seen on television. Some of the brightest stars in the broadcast industry are making the switch to special event videography, and with them comes experience and skill that just makes the industry better. In the last two or three years, recent film school graduates have made their way into the wedding industry.

Sure, I know that a few Bozo’s have ruined it for many videographers. Even after 30+ years in broadcasting, being president of Columbia School of Broadcasting, and doing work for all the major networks, I still get resistance from brides, moms, and even a few wedding coordinators (particularly at churches)…IF…they have never worked with me or my talented team. BUT…if they have worked with us…they understand what a professional video crew can do and how they should act.

Wedding video today is VERY different from even five years ago! Over the last two years, we completely upgraded our equipment to include the new fusion cameras that shoot BOTH high-definition (HD) video, PLUS…high resolution still photos. We can actually shoot BOTH your still photography and wedding video! Two services. One team. One great experience.

If you are nervous about hiring a videographer for your wedding because you’re afraid that they’ll use big lights, take up lots of room, draw the attention from you to them, and that you’ll have to get a long and boring amateurish video… think again! Give us a call and see for yourself first-hand what great wedding video should look like and discover the unique experience that you’ll receive when you work with Storytellers. To learn more, call Don at 901.485.3027, and visit us on the web at www.WeTellYourStories.com.

 

Categories : Uncategorized

Introduction to the Courtyard Collierville

By admin · Comments (0) · Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

We would like to introduce ourselves. We are the Courtyard by Marriott-Collierville. We are a new hotel, built in 2008 that features a new Contemporary Design. We have 128 guest rooms and 3 suites, giving us a grand total of 131 guests rooms and making us the Largest Hotel in Collierville. We have several on-site amenities including a 24 hour Fitness Center, 24 hour Business Center, Guest Laundry, Indoor Pool, Indoor Hot tub, a 24 hour Market and the Courtyard Cafe.
One of our biggest amenities is our Location!!! We are located in the Avenue Collierville mall which features over 60 shops and 10 restaurants within walking distance!
We invite you to stop by and take a tour. Or visit our website at www.marriott.com/memvl.

Categories : Uncategorized
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What is a Retainer

By admin · Comments (0) · Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Photo taken by Dorothy McCuskey PBD Studios - Michabelle's Inn Hammond LA

Sometimes also referred to as a “Deposit” or “Booking Fee”, the correct term is actually retainer fee, and it refers to an agreed sum of money paid to secure the services of a professional for an agreed upon time-frame.

Retainer Fees are Standard in Wedding Photography

A retainer fee may be a new concept when you’ve just started looking into hiring a professional wedding photographer, but the practice is standard in the wedding photography industry.

Other Professions that use Retainers

You are probably already familiar with the retainer fee, as it often conjures up the image of a lawyer, the result of cultural training arising from movies or TV shows with lawyers as the major characters. Of course, with lawyers, even retainer fees can get really complicated with flavors like “security”, “advanced fee” and “evergreen” retainer fees. However, for the sake of argument, I would like to point out that a number of other professions retainer fees. Here’s a short list:

  • Doctors – certain doctors who practice “Boutique Medicine” use retainers
  • Bankers – their retainers are upfront fees charged to clients, even if “the deal” eventually doesn’t go through
  • Freelancers – software engineers, web designers, copywriters, consultants and such all use retainers of some sort, allowing them to pay the bills while working on and waiting on assignments

What Does it Mean when someone is Retained?

Once you’ve retained a service professional (by paying the fee, and signing a contract), you are officially BOOKED, and that professional would take him or herself “off the market”, so to speak, meaning they would not make it known that they are seeking work in a particular time-frame.

Why Non-Refundable?

Consider this: if the retainer fee was refundable, and for some reason the client decides “at the last minute” to request the money back — perhaps the wedding was canceled for some reason — then the professional photographer would have no income for the previously agreed upon date.

If this were to happen several times, you can be sure the professional photographer would soon no longer be in business.

To Summarize

By Paying the Retainer Fee:

  • you are paying for my promise to come shoot your wedding on the day of your wedding (plus any pre-wedding engagement session or post-wedding after-session).
-Dorothy McCuskey
www.pbdstudios.net
901.359.8575
pbdstudios@me.com
Categories : Wedding Photography, wedding tips
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What you should consider before hiring your DJ

By admin · Comments (1) · Sunday, January 8th, 2012

I recently did a web search just to see what was present in the business of Mobile DJs. To my surprise, I found over 80 local DJs just in the Memphis area and most of them have appeared over the last 4 or 5 years. I did however notice that the top 5 or 6 disc jockeys that started in Memphis, including myself over 20 years ago, are still going strong. Peace of mind is what you want, not horror stories after the fact. By then it is too late. Price alone is not enough to obtain that peace of mind that you want on your special day. The professionals at Memphis DJs understand all aspects of the wedding industry. That’s why I say it is imperative to meet, in a comfortable setting, with your prospective DJ before you make any financial decisions. After all, it would be nice to know that you actually like the personality you are hiring. It is important for you to know just how essential the entertainment is for your event. The mobile DJ plays many important roles in your wedding, as well as the reception. Some questions you should be prepared to go over when meeting are: Will your DJ perform the ceremony music at no additional charge, especially if the ceremony is is the same area as the reception? Can they perform the ceremony with additional equipment if the ceremony is in another area away from the reception? Will your DJ have additional equipment on-hand in the event of a malfunction? Will your DJ act as an MC and make all important announcements throughout the event? Are lights included with their set-up? Some services will charge you additionally for this. When you leave at the end of the night, it is important that you know you’ve made the best investment in entertainment that you possibly could have made. Make sure your DJ is open to your likes and needs. The last thing you want is an over the top professional telling you how to run your event. A DJ is there to give you options and suggestions. It is of the utmost importance that you hire the best that Memphis has to offer. Memphis DJs networks with some of the finest experts in the wedding industry.

” After meeting with you to discuss our plans and what you had to offer, we discovered that you had covered things we had not considered. Since my daughter and I had considered to go at this alone without the assistance of a planner, your continued help throughout the rehearsal, the wedding and the reception was God sent! You are very good at what you do and we want you to know how very much we appreciate your assistance. The music selections you made filled the dance floor considering we thought that there were not going to be many dancers, we were wrong…..”

Many, Many thanks, Linda Rath along with Tom Rath, and Jessica & Cesar Del Bianco (Oct. 14th at the Peabody Hotel)

Anyone can press play, you need more than that. One of the things that your guests will most often remember about your event is how much fun they had. That brings us to the music selection. Your guest list will likely include several generations of your family. Make sure your DJ carries all categories of music from all decades and make sure that you receive a copy of the catalogue so you may choose the type of music that  you, your family, friends and loved ones want to hear. The blend of music that is delivered makes the difference between a full dance floor and guests sitting at their tables all night long.  Beware, some DJ’s are not familiar with music beyond the 1990′s.

“You were the dj at the wedding reception of some friends of ours Chase and Anna Marie Peeler (June 2010 I think). They definitely recommended you, and I remember having a blast at their reception so that speaks for itself. I am looking forward to reviewing the package you are sending in the mail.” Thanks for your time,
Wesley McCarver

“You were able to adapt to curve balls thrown at us by other vendors at our event. Thank you for being so flexible and making everything flow so smoothly throughout the evening. We were impressed by your professionalism as well. We believe that having you as our DJ made our wedding better than we could have ever planned or imagined. Your method of  transitioning from one genre of music to another worked very, very well. Again thank you for being flexible in your arrangement of the music and in the rearrangement of  the evening’s scheduled events. “(first dance, cake cutting, etc.)”

Chris and Amanda Wilson, June 8th

Planning is every bit as important for your entertainment as it is for your event. Make sure that your DJ is going to sit down with you at least two weeks before the big day to go over all of the final details from start to finish (cake cutting, toast, first dance, garter/bouquet, and the exit, just to name a few).  Your ceremony should be as traditional or non-traditional as you want it to be so make sure that your entertainer is open to all types of requests.  Flexibility is a must. Everything from payment options, attire and last minute changes will separate the professionals from the rookies. You should always consider value.  You absolutely get what you pay for.  If the price seems to good to be true, it almost always is just that.  Make sure that you choose a professional who will provide you with what you deserve on one of the single most important occasions of your life. How much are your life long memories worth to you?

There is undoubtedly much, much more information to cover before your wonderful day,  so give us a call or send us your information. We are listed on this web site as a proud member.

Sincerely and congratulations,

Kerry Rogers              Visit me on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Memphis-DJs/155805001172311


 

 

Categories : DJ, wedding tips, Weddings

Improve Communications with you Wedding Photographer

By admin · Comments (0) · Friday, January 6th, 2012

The best way to avoid problems down the road is to have an open and honest discussion about your expectations in your wedding photographer and their expectations in you. To do this you need to establish a great relationship and communication with each other.
You’re not just renting wedding cameras and equipment! Your hiring a talented artist who will capture the moments you’ll treasure forever.

Photo taken by Dorothy McCuskey PBD Studios 901.359.8575

*Have a Pre-Wedding shoot! Whether an engagement or bridal session, take this time to get to know your photographer and get some of those “photo” jitters OUT!”

*Remember that a photographer is a trained professional…not a phsycic, Make sure you have a relative, friend, or possibly your coordinator available to the photographer during posed shots so that he/she can point out close family members needed for those important photographs.

*Spend time with your photographer before your wedding day. Sit down for coffee, or chat with them during your engagement and/or bridal sessions. As a photographer, I will not just show up at the wedding completely unaware of what the couple likes, their personality and ideas. As a bride or groom you should expect the same!

-Dorothy McCuskey

www.pbdstudios.net

Categories : Wedding Photography, Weddings
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Perfect Smile for Your Wedding

By admin · Comments (1) · Thursday, December 29th, 2011

You CAN have perfect teeth for your wedding! Your wedding plans naturally have a way of pulling you in many directions, and everything demands your attention. Don’t forget to smile! This is supposed to be fun!

Speaking of smiles, yes, there is a way to fix your smile for those keepsake wedding photos that will LAST FOREVER! You’ll be showing those photos to your kids and grandkids! (“GRANDKIDS!?!?! Wait, I’m not even married yet…”)  Check out the photos below–this patient has healthy teeth, but she wanted a better smile. This procedure was painless, and was accomplished in two appointments.

For further information, please see www.memphislumineers.com or call 754-8080, Dr. David W. Smith, DDS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories : Health/Beuaty

Why use a tuxedo specialist for your wedding?

By admin · Comments (1) · Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

tuxedoQ.  How do I insure that my groomsmen will look super for my wedding?

A.  Use a tuxedo specialist, not a “big box” men’s store chain.
Then meet with that tuxedo specialist at least 2 months prior to your wedding to make your
selections.  Be sure to take a swatch of your bridesmaid’s dresses on your initial visit
to the tuxedo store.  They will be able  to help you select the perfect color vest/tie to match your dresses. On each of
your groomsmen’s initial fittings DEMAND that they try on the following items:  coat, pants, shirt, vest, and shoes.

Do not let anyone simply use a tape measure to estimate sizes!  Finally, at tuxedo pickup, make sure all your men try “everything” on.

Q.  What do I do if some of my groomsmen live out of town?

 A.  Find a tuxedo specialist who is a member of a nationwide fitting network.  They can provide an online list of tuxedo
stores in every city who will measure them.
Then mail, fax, or email these sizes to your tuxedo store.  When the men arrive in town for your wedding
have them try on their tuxedo so that any last minute alterations can be made before the wedding.

Q.  I used a bridal chain for my bridesmaid’s dresses and they suggested I go to a men’s store chain for my tuxedos.  When I went there they did not have vest/ties to match my dresses.  What should I do?

 A.  Some bridal chains are paid to recommend certain national men’s stores to their brides.  These men’s store chains see tuxedos as a side-line and stock a very limited selection of vests/ties.  I suggest you see a tuxedo specialist who
will make available any color vest/tie you desire.

Q.  Should my groomsmen rent formal shoes for our wedding?

 A.  YES!  Leaving the shoe selection up to each man will guarantee that they will NOT match and  most likely some won’t be properly polished which will show in the wedding pictures.  Always, rent the shoes with your tuxedos (most stores include shoes in their pricing).

Q.  Why should I use a tuxedo specialist for my wedding?

 A.  A tuxedo specialist will stock tuxedos in town.  A “big box” men’s store will stock their tuxedos hundreds of miles away and ship them in a day or so prior to your wedding.
A tuxedo specialist cleans, presses, and alters your tuxedos in town.  A “big box store” provides these services from hundreds of miles away.  A tuxedo specialist allows you to look at actual tuxedos to make your selections.  A “big box” men’s store will
provide pictures to help you make your selection.  Tuxedo specialists have full time professional  wedding experts to help you with your formalwear needs. “Big box stores” will have any clothing salesman at the store take your tuxedo order.  Tuxedo specialists have an almost unlimited selection of tuxedos and accessories.
The “big box store” will provide a very limited selection of tuxedos and accessories.

For more information, go to Guy’s Tucedo’s and get fitted the right way.

www.guystux.com

 

Categories : Weddings
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Things to consider when planning your honeymoon!

By admin · Comments (0) · Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
honeymoon, caribbean, all-inclusive, all adult honeymoon

Travel Leaders goes over and beyond with planning your honeymoon

Planning your honeymoon?
We know that so much thought and planning goes into the wedding day, as
well as the honeymoon. Going on a honeymoon is a time for the happy couple to
celebrate and relax. Where to go is often a question the bride and groom
discuss months before their big day.

Here are some things to consider when planning your honeymoon!  

Do you think that when going online that they have you in mind or just to sell you
something? When you go online are you asked what you are interested in, what
you like to do and what you are expecting out of your honeymoon? Do you think
they care if something goes wrong or that they give you the expert service that
a travel agency that specializes in honeymoons would? I can answer that for you
– they don’t! Travel Leaders has been in the honeymoon business for over 25
years and we’ve heard a lot of nightmares from people how have booked online!

One of the best stories was that a couple had planned their honeymoon to a resort and one the got there – the pictures
that were shown on the internet were not what they saw, the room that they
received wasn’t what they wanted, the resort had a nude beach (which wasn’t
mentioned on the website and when they got to the airport they had no way to
get to the resort.

From our point of view we can offer you so much to where your first time experience with life
together – we can offer you something stress-free, and give you lots of tips
and travel advise on your honeymoon.

Our travel experts book tons of vacations every year and they know what the finest days to travel
are from the viewpoint of one’s budget as well as from the standpoint of time.
If you are able to provide the agent with some flexibility in travel dates,
they can get the least expensive and most stress-free choices for your
honeymoon travel.

We can help you save money on your honeymoon vacation!  When you book your honeymoon vacation with us –
we can get the best discounts on flights and hotels.

Did you know you can book your honeymoon a year out? Many people
don’t realize that. We encourage that so you can be sure and get exactly the
resort, room category and everything you’ve dreamed about for your honeymoon!

We can save a ton of work when planning your honeymoon vacation – You can save hours of time
since our agents will be the one to deal with the booking and preparations of your
honeymoon vacation.

We provide answers to any questions about documents need for honeymoon vacation- An
individual’s agent knows essential closing dates and necessities for passports,
etc. We will help direct you through the process.

We can provide you with some insider perks for honeymoon vacation- since we are acquainted
with the right questions to ask, we may be able of coming up with offers that
the common person would never come across on their own.

Travel Leaders & Cruises know about the desirable destinations – As agents we are able to
travel a lot of resorts and have been to most of the typical honeymoon vacation
destinations. This permits us to answer questions you may have about the best
restaurants and public transit for your selected honeymoon vacation
destination.

We also can help deal with any problems that arise if changes occur to your itinerary -If
an individual changes their honeymoon vacation plans for any cause, they only
need to make one phone call. You make one call to us  and then the travel agent will have to make
the dozens of phone calls needed to recreate the honeymoon vacation plans so
you don’t have to!

We will give you one bill – When you decide to work with us, you will end up with one  bill and not a bunch of purchases with many receipts, confirmations, etc. Selecting to work with a travel agent can not
only lessen the constant worry when it comes to the planning of your honeymoon
travel, but can also save you money as well as time.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in a woman’s life. After spending
countless hours planning and preparing for the wedding of your dreams, a
romantic honeymoon is just what is needed to enjoy some alone-time with your
spouse. The best way to enjoy honeymoon travel is by taking the help of a
travel agency. Travel Leaders & Cruise can arrange everything for your honeymoon
vacation so that all you have to do is enjoy each other’s company. We also
offer a “Honeymoon Registry” which allows your family and friends to put money
toward your honeymoon.

Just remember when planning your wedding you meet with each of your vendors to make sure
you get exactly what you want so be sure and do the same when planning your honeymoon!

Come in for a free consultation with one of our agents! We have two convenient locations.

We are located in Collierville at 305New Byhalia Rd. Ste 102 next door to Target and in Bartlett/ Memphis at 2765
Wolf Creek Parkway (next door to David’s Bridal) or you can call us at
901-377-6600 (Memphis) or at 901-853-600 (Collierville) or visit us on the
website at: www.gotravelleaders.com

Categories : Uncategorized

To see or not to see

By admin · Comments (0) · Friday, December 16th, 2011

For starters there is no right or wrong way here. It is only a personal decision, based upon what works for each couple. Now….

We have had conversations with future couples when they come in for the consult and discuss this very subject they will say we were at our friends wedding or in a wedding that the photographer they used was great, BUT, that they had taken too long to complete the formal posed photos after the ceremony. When I have asked I have gotten answers like “AN HOUR” can you believe that?!” We do not want our wedding photographs to take so long. Then the explaining that an hour is perfectly normal if there were approximately 10 groupings for the formals. I further explain that it can take as long as four to five minutes per grouping, depending on the complexity of the groups and whether everyone was on task. Weddings can be a bit like organized chaos. No, it’s true. Really.. So, four and one half minutes x 10 groupings equals approximately 45 minutes. I will explain the other 15 minutes in just a moment. The size of the the groupings (head count) and how well everyone stays on task are two driving factors as to whether things go as scheduled or not.. I explain that IF the bride and groom are not seeing each other before the ceremony AND if there are 10 or more group shots to be taken, an hour is actually very good. Typically, the photographer does not set the pace for the photos, despite what many people think. There are some things that even the photographer cannot control. For instance; the best man and one of the groomsmen slip away for a smoke, or worse, a drink and a smoke, or little Johnny needs to use the restroom, or the flower girl is very upset and does not want her photo taken, or the guests insist on taking their own photographs, or etc, etc, etc. By the way, these have all happened at weddings we photographed. Additionally, we have to keep in mind that the bride and groom usually spend at least 10 to 15 minutes together, alone, just after the ceremony. The reason being is twofold: First, the images captured in those few minutes are usually the best of the entire day. Actually, these photos will often be the best of their entire lives together. At what other time will they have such powerfully charged emotions for each other AND have a professional photographer to capture them? Second, this is their day and they should get some time together, alone, without others watching. Do you think that the couple deserves a few minutes alone when just newly married? Can you see how powerful and awesome those photographs can be? Years from then, these images will invoke those emotions time and again. Is this not the reason that we photograph our weddings? General photos of the day are highly desired. We need them to remember our wedding day, right? Yet, the images captured of a stolen kiss and of the incredible love and energy that we wear on our sleeves for those few moments are priceless. That is why our clients hire us.

Back to the subject at hand; I then explain that there is only so much time on any wedding day and only so many opportunities to complete the many tasks that play out. Think about it is something special about seeing the groom watch his bride walk down the aisle for the first time. First, all eyes are on the bride, not the groom. Additionally, we will put the groom on the spot and make him more nervous than he already is. If that is not enough, we do not give him the opportunity to spend the first moments he sees his new bride to be, alone with her, and share that special moment just between themselves? In other words, it is more important that all present at the wedding get to share that moment with them, than it is for them to spend this very intimate moment alone? Our couples that did see each other before the ceremony, not a single one, even those that originally thought they would not see each other, had a any regrets about doing so. In fact, each of them were outwardly overjoyed about it. With these couples, we were able to take the formal group shots before the ceremony. The amount of time saved after the ceremony is a gift to their guests. How many weddings have you attended where the newly married couple kept everyone waiting an hour or more? One thing that we do not want is to have to rush through the formal photographs. Why? Because it shows in the pictures, it is stressful, and after the ceremony, everyone always wants to get to the reception to eat, celebrate and have fun. Posed photographs are family heirlooms. As such, they should be the best they possibly can, which requires appropriating the required time to do them right.

Sometimes people do things traditionally just because it is, well, tradition. Often times when I ask brides and grooms why it is that they have not considered spending this very intimate first meeting together, alone, rather than in front of everyone in attendance at their wedding, usually the response goes something like this: “well, I don’t know… just because… isn’t that the way it is supposed to be done?… we haven’t thought of it this way… etc.”

We can reassure you, a couple that did see each other before, and from the many couples we have had as clients that chose to see each other before the ceremony, it works, it always is special for the couple, it is a nice thing for their guests, the images captured are always awesome and they (we) never regretted it. Oh, and if you are thinking that it will spoil your walk down the aisle, forget it. It isn’t going to happen. He will feel even more elated to see you walk down the aisle. He will not be able to wait to marry you. In fact, it means more to the groom. He will be more relaxed and able to enjoy watching his beautiful bride walk down the aisle. The guests will be just as impressed with the brides grand entrance, as will the groom.

Imagine leaving your guests feeling as though yours was the best wedding they had ever attended because they were not kept waiting for an hour or more between the ceremony and reception. Imagine how great the photos will be because there was no rushing the formal group shots this way as a photographer am able to capture the very moment when your groom sees you for the first time, and it is more than just a single shot. These images are very powerful.

In the end, it is your choice and you should do what is right for you. That is what we tell all of our clients. But, and you knew there was going to be a but, right? But, not seeing each other just because that is the way it is always done should at least give rise to, “what if we…”

-Dorothy McCuskey
901.359.8575
Categories : Weddings
Tags : ,

Hello world!

By admin · Comments (1) · Monday, August 1st, 2011

Thank you for waiting for the launch of our new website! The association is growing and doing great things in our community. We thought that after 8 years and all the technology changes… we needed to update our website! We also wanted to create a blog for YOU! That’s right…you. The Wedding & Event Association specializes in helping brides have the weddings of their dreams. Of course, a wedding is probably the largest, most expensive, and stressful undertaking you’ve ever faced…and it will probably be the largest in your life! So, where do you start in planning for your wedding? Who do you trust? How much should you budget? Are your expectations realistic? We’re here to answer those and other questions, plus, help you find the best fit in vendors for your particular needs. Please book mark this page and come back often. Also, make sure to tell your friends who are engaged…or are soon to be engaged. This is YOUR website and blog. Let us hear your voice! And by the way…let me be the first to say, “Congratulations!”.

Post by Don Lawler, Event Filmmaker & Photographer

Categories : Uncategorized
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