Sergey Andreev: from Russian champion to videographer with a recognizable handwriting

Exclusively for TOP15MOSCOW editorial staff, the founder of Andreev Media studio and brand told about his entry into the world of eventing, which happened more than 15 years ago and sports background, which played a role in his rapid career

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Today, Andreev Media Studio is a huge team and cooperation with successful well-known brands. This is an impressive geography, starting from Moscow to New York. Hundreds of wedding projects, foreign shoots and trust of the best Moscow organizers. Sergey Andreev, the founder of the studio and one of the best videographers in Moscow, shared with us the colossal work and inspiring story behind these words.

“Orchestra Man” - that's how Sergei is sometimes called by colleagues and organizers who invite him to work on joint projects. His entry into the industry happened almost 18 years ago. Already in his school years, Sergei managed to work at wedding events in the role of various contractors.

Sergey Andrev

CEO

“My father was a wedding presenter. Of course, at that time it was a very different approach and today the industry has moved on considerably. I remember back then, in '98, he offered me to work with him as a DJ. I took apart my turntable and made an amplifier out of it, bought a tape recorder, cassettes and was responsible for the music at all the events my father was invited to. A year later I made a big upgrade: I had my own crew, new powerful equipment and invitations to work in nightclubs. This could have gone on for a while, if one day my father hadn't asked me to make a video of an event...”

When Sergei picked up the camera for the first time, he realized that he never wanted to let it out of his hands again. He became so immersed in the process of shooting that it was hard to stop. It would seem that he could have been developing in this direction, studying different types of techniques and shooting, if it hadn't been for an offer that Sergei received at one of the sports championships.

Sergey Andreev

CEO

“For as long as I can remember, I have always loved sports. Already at the age of 17, I had a black belt in taekwondo and many prizes at various championships. At one of them I was noticed: my coaches came up to me and invited me to the Central Sports Club of the Army. Of course, I agreed, although it was a difficult time. Filming was completely overshadowed by the lack of time and energy. I lived in Tver, came to classes at the university, and then - three hours by train to Moscow for training, two hours of training and then again three long hours back home.

Sergey's efforts at that time yielded results very quickly - after winning one of the tournaments, he officially became the champion of Russia. After that, Sergey became a silver medalist in various tournaments for four years in a row and was preparing for selection for the Olympics in London.

Sergey Andreev

CEO

“While I was building my sports career, I kept hearing from people I knew that people really liked the videos I shot. Many people asked about me and wanted me to shoot their events. That was the moment when I thought, 'It's now or never'.”

In such a rapid cycle of events, another important acquaintance happened, which can safely be called fateful. On the very same train in which Sergei spent hours on his way to Moscow for training and back, he accidentally meets Maria Lvova, the future founder of the wedding studio “For Two”. Maria is just beginning her development in the industry, and her interest in the same field helps them quickly find common ground. Already in two years they have their first joint project.

In such a rapid cycle of events happened another important acquaintance, which can be safely called fateful. In the same train, in which Sergei spent hours on the way to Moscow for training and back, he accidentally meets Maria Lvova - the future founder of the wedding studio “For Two”. Maria is just beginning her development in the industry, and their interest in the same field helps them quickly find common ground. Already in two years they have their first joint project.

There was something catchy in the videos made by Sergey at that time. Such work was appreciated not only by couples, but also by many organizers. This is confirmed by one of the most frequent phrases that he hears from clients and friends - that when watching the videos you can always feel his handwriting. A videographer's work is a completely different shooting, style, dynamics and look that is unique to him. This trend can be seen in all Andreev Media team's videos, regardless of who they are shot for: be it a wedding event, an advertisement, a music video or a backstage of a prestigious event.

Sergey Andreev

CEO

“I'm one of those movie buffs who often watch movies by famous directors, trying to catch the offbeat shots. Shots that are almost impossible to apply to elements of a wedding day. And I do it and people love it. They get crazy emotions and videos that will stay with them for a lifetime. I think that's very important. Would you like to watch your parents' wedding when you were young? Or show your own to your future children? I always answer yes to these questions. Being able to reminisce about how young, beautiful and happy you were by re-watching the video after a few years together. It's very cool.”

Winning prestigious awards, grandiose projects and acquaintances - from the very beginning, there has been tremendous growth in Sergey's work, which continues today. With a rich sporting background, he feels that the desire to be the first seems to remain in him forever.

Sergey Andreev

CEO

“You have to be better than you are and do everything you can to do that. That's what sports once taught me. Today, I continue to follow this belief in other areas as well. I guess that's why I always say that I haven't shot my best project yet. It's just ahead of me.