Plymouth’s Falcon Film Studios captures life’s special moments

The owners of Plymouth-based Falcon Film Studios (located at 340 N. Main Street) have become so good at their craft — capturing monumental life moments for their clients with photos, videos and other media — not even unforeseen calamities can diminish the quality of their work.

There was the time, for example, when Derek Gauci, who is co-owner with his wife Lauren of the memories-securing company, fell and broke an ankle while photographing a wedding ceremony in Detroit’s Eastern Market.

“I’m getting stretchered out of a church and into an ambulance by a crew of paramedics,” Gauci recalled, chuckling. “But we were able to locate a very good replacement for me within minutes — and we ended up receiving a five-star review from the couple getting married despite the mishap.”

And the happily-married couple not only have amazing images of their special day to cherish the rest of their lives — they have a unique anecdote they can pass down to their grandchildren one day (“You’re not going to believe what happened during grandma and grandpa’s wedding ceremony …”).

They know how to pivot

When you’ve expertly captured  special events as long as the Gaucis, you learn to pivot and think fast on your feet.

Both graduates of Plymouth-Canton Educational Park high schools, Derek and Lauren dove into the profession feet (and F-stop) first at a relatively young age. The son of a florist, event planning is embedded into Derek’s DNA.

“We love dealing with people and everyone in our company shares a passion for capturing our clients’ special moments,” Derek said. “It’s such an honor to be selected — and trusted – to record once-in-a-lifetime events.”

One reason Falcon Film Studios has flourished into a statewide company — “We have 70 staff members throughout the state, so you can get the same service and pricing whether you live in the Detroit area or Marquette,” Derek noted — is its full-service capabilities.

Not only can its employees photograph and videotape your wedding day, engagement ceremony, gender-reveal party — you name it, they can do it — Falcon Film Studios also provides disc jockeys and photo booths for wedding receptions and other celebratory occasions.

Unfazed by unconventional settings

They’re also not limited to capturing events that unfold in conventional settings like churches and banquet halls.

“When COVID hit and indoor events were cancelled, we still managed to provide services by pivoting a little,” Derek said. “We started filming and photographing ceremonies on beaches, in the middle of the woods. To do this we had to purchase large, battery-powered speakers that are a lot like the small-sized Bluetooth devices, just bigger.

“But we made sure the show went on and our clients were thankful for that.”

The Gaucis make sure they give back to the communities they serve. They’re active in several charitable causes — including a recent event they hosted in Plymouth’s Kellogg Park called Mittens for Detroit.

The company is all about family, Derek said.

“My mom still works a few events a year,” he said. “My sister is in the financial-advising field, so she’ll give advice to, let’s say, soon-to-be brides who are just starting to learn about investing. And our 6-year-old twins (Leonardo and Chloe) help us out at events as well.”

Falcon Film Studios’ top-shelf work has been recognized with several industry awards, including a spot on Hour Detroit’s Best Of list, Wedding Wire’s Couples Choice Awards and The Knot’s 2021 Best of Weddings winners.

Hands-on owners

The Gaucis are the epitome of hands-on owners, he said.

“Clients will work directly with us from the beginning to the end,” he said.

Falcon Film Studios was close to expanding to Florida; but the Gaucis reconsidered after a lot of contemplation.

“One of the videographers who works for us was able to earn college credits from Grand Valley State University, which helped us realize that we can have a greater impact on people’s lives if we stay focused on Michigan,” he said. “We now have multiple colleges and universities in the state referring their top videographers to work for us.

“We have Falcons (the company’s term for its statewide network of event capturers) everywhere in Michigan, so we’re going to continue to serve our home state.”

The Gaucis have produced award-winning short films, but their primary focus remains capturing life-shaping events with photos and video.

Even if it means breaking a bone or two along the way.