Symphony in the Flint Hills Preview

Today I presented a brief preview of the Symphony in the Flint Hills documentary that I've been working on with Corin Breña, Steven Ludlow and Fletcher Powell. The project is a collection of several self-contained shorter pieces, but I shot an interview with the Executive Director, Emily Hunter, on Thursday that will help bring these pieces cohesiveness. Take a look at this preview. Thanks again to Les Anderson and Amy DeVault for giving us this amazing opportunity.

Hemophilia PSA: Dillinger

Last weekend I had the pleasure of working with my son, Dillinger, to produce a Public Service Announcement about hemophilia. It was a last-minute visit, so we didn't plan the PSA. It rained on Saturday, but the weather looked good Sunday, so we went to the park across the street to shoot Dillinger's stand-up shots. The footage of him self-infusing I shot in July while on vacation. I also used a photo from a year ago when we had to take Dillinger to the hospital for a bleed in his leg. Dillinger learned his script less than half an hour. He was great. We faced an unusual obstacle in the way of an air show. The only sunny day was the day of a huge air show, so jets were flying by every few minutes and we'd have to wait because it was very loud. Even so, it took us only 12 minutes to shoot the PSA. I am very pleased considering it was unplanned and we were limited by the weather and air show. Dillinger did a great job.

The Importance of Networking

Today I attended a meeting about the importance of networking. In fact, before the meeting, I went to lunch with a couple of producers I met through WSU and KPTS who I have learned a great deal about production from. It was nice to get together and pick their brains on motion graphics and fantasy football strategies.

Networking has been the key to my active involvement in production. It was persistence in asking for a job that landed me a part-time job at KPTS. It was my thirst for knowledge that opened doors for me to go into work and watch how they edited documentaries and promo spots. My desire to gain experience brought about invitations to work on several projects. Every one of them has taught me something and I am piecing it all together to make translating my ideas into something tangible much easier.

I had books and software, but it was the network of experienced professionals that truly launched my journey to becoming a professional producer. I love what I do and I have an insatiable desire to learn more, to have more tools with which to create.

Yesterday, I took a behind-the-scenes tour of Integrated Media Group in Wichita, Kansas. I saw a project they were working on in After Effects that looked incredible. I have no experience with motion graphic design, so I consulted two friends that do great work in this area. Not only did I get advice, but I spent a good portion of the afternoon looking over the shoulder of a friend as he demonstrated several ways to achieve my vision for logo animation in After Effects CS5. He also showed me a few other things that really sparked a fire in me to create stunning visuals in what would normally seem mundane projects.

Networking has helped me gain knowledge, experience, inspiration and friendship. I am grateful to all who have helped me and taken the time to share their knowledge and experience with me. If you are hesitant to speak with professionals in your field of work, I can reassure you that you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by putting yourself out there. As my old soccer coach used to say, "You can't score if you don't shoot."