But what does Bollywood (sometimes spelled Baliwood) have to do with Cutting Edge? Well, I’ve spent the last hour on the internet – using Google of course – to try and figure out if Slumdog Millionaire was in fact a Bollywood film, and I keep coming up with nothing.  Apparently, at least from what I can tell, it is not a true Bollywood movie but was merely shot in the Bollywood spirit. 

If you don’t know what Bollywood is, there is no way that I can begin to explain it except for to say it’s Hollywood India style.  My first exposure to Bollywood was through Philadelphia’s *Karen Pecora, of Karen Pecora Events.  Karen brought a client to me who wanted to create a Bollywood-style dance routine at the opening of an Indian event.  Apparently (like Slumdog Millionaire) dance routines are common at the close of Bollywood movies, and our task was – with the help of Karen and the client – to re-create something uniquely similar to that. 

Well, needless to say when the closing credits began to scroll I was smiling from ear to ear.  Ever since that event with Karen I have had the opportunity to provide similar entertainment and custom choreography for a number of Indian events, weddings and corporate parties, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Karen had seen the film yet, and was perhaps thinking the exact same thing when the stars (Dev Patel & Freida Pinto) broke out into an epic dance routine at the end of the movie.

But enough about that, it was a great movie.  I would highly recommend it, and if I were Siskel & Ebert I would certainly give it two thumbs up. 

-Craig

 *Karen Pecora is one of the foremost event planners in the Philadelphia area, and the founder of The Society of Wedding Planners.  In addition, Karen teaches a course at Temple University on event planning, which our Director of Sales Maura Duggan attended and became certified in.  Karen, like many other party professionals in the Philadelphia region is someone I consider not just a colleague, but a good friend.  If you are looking to hire an event planner, I would highly recommend her services, as she is one of the best Philly has to offer.

Click Here for Karen Pecora Events

After the event, I drove down the street to the gas station and filled my tank for $4.20 a gallon.  Let’s just say that didn’t leave me feeling very green.

Several weeks have past since attending that event - needless to say I have been doing lots of thinking – and after taking a closer look at my own company, I see lots of ways in which we are already going green…

Music- Slowly but surely (inevitably) we are moving from CD to all MP3.  Certainly CDs may continue to provide backup in case a hard-drive goes down, but less CDs still means less fuel, less space as well as less plastic & paper. 

Lighting – L.E.D. Technology (although more expensive) uses less energy, as a matter of fact in most cases a small fraction of the energy and more light.  The days of elaborate lighting rigs needing a generator for additional power will soon be a thing of the past, which avoids additional costs for generator rental and gasoline. 

Paper - I’m proud to say that 85% of our packages, proposals,  literature, contracts and just about every other correspondance that was once done on paper is now done through email. 

So what’s next?

Well, how about those party giveaways like leis, marracas, sunglasses, hats and inflatables (all plastic and rubber petroleum based products) which now have increased shipping fees due to current fuel prices.  Do we really need them?  I sure don’t, and I’m not even sure if they are essential to a party!  All of our Bar/Bat Mitzvah packages include them and I’d be happier than a pig in… well, let’s just say I would be more than willing to exclude the giveaways upon request for a fairly significant discount.

If you are interested in finding out how to “get more green” at your next event feel free to contact us at Cutting Edge Entertainment or one of the following people who were amongst the many  wedding professionals in attendance.

Karen Pecora (Wedding planner) –  http://karenpecora.com/

Mark Kingsdorf (Wedding Planner) – http://www.qohweddings.com/index.shtml

Vedika Webb (Pastry Chef) – http://www.lotuscakestudio.com/

Tim Sudall (Videographer) – http://www.videoone.tv/

Always remember the immortal words of Kermit… “It’s not easy bein’ green”

-Craig