Upcoming event

As one of the co-chairs of the Drake Awards we are fast approaching the event. If you are not familiar with the Drake's it is the event that we hold to recognize both the creative work and those who do it in the advertising field. It is a fun event to attend and we are worjking hard to make sure this next years is as good as ever. Let me know if you would like more information.

Happy Holidays

I think we have some of the best clients in the business. It is so great to have the ones that we do and I am looking forward to next year!

Happy Holidays!

Clients and feeling of warmth

One of the reasons to own your own business is to work with great clients. When you do a job for an appreciative client it makes it so wonderful. I was fortunate to get to work on an event this last weekend that we put together quite a show and this morning the client was so appreciative. It makes all of the hard work so worth it. I guess that is also a statement about this time of year. Everyone around us deserves a little thanks. Look up from the ground and thank the next person that holds the door or does something nice for you. Maybe even thank the person who makes your coffee, but when you do it say it with sincerity because people can tell when you are not. Feel the warmth of saying thanks and you really have found the spirit of this time of the year. Just some thoughts.

The world of technology

Okay so the biggest challenge I think I face today is being able to unplug. In an ever increasing world of instant on I lack that switch to turn it off. This is both a positive and a negative. I love being able to answer questions from our clients as they come in, but when I really should be taking a break and relaxing I feel lost. I think that part of this is a product of my age and growing up in this wired world, but I need to learn how to turn off the gadgets once in a while.

Along this wired note I am really excited about this solution. This will be a very powerful tool that will allow us to be in constant contact with our clients and be a truly mobile team. We will be able to send and recieve emails while on the road from our phones as well as update contacts and schedule meetings. take a look at it and see for yourself some of the advantages.

Oh yeah did I mention I need to find a way to unplug...

Opportunity Foundation Release

Here is the press release on The Opportunity Foundation Of Central Oregon. This was indeed a very fun project for a tremendous organization.

A couple of press items in regards to BendFilm

I am so glad to be working with this organization. take a look at the great press they received from this years event.

DVD Talk
Willamette Week

Tomorrow I will post the press release on our last event for the Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon.

Enough Said!

Okay let the revolution begin! This is the next paradigm shift in media that is on the horizon. We need to embrace this change and make it even better. Apple is providing the tools we need to move to utilize them.

iTunes Music Store Sells One Million Videos in Less Than 20 Days
CUPERTINO, California—October 31, 2005—Apple® today announced that iTunes® Music Store customers have purchased and downloaded more than one million videos since they debuted on October 12. Customers can choose from over 2,000 music videos, Pixar short films and hit TV shows for just $1.99. Top downloads include music videos from Michael Jackson, Fatboy Slim and Kanye West; Pixar’s “For the Birds” and “Boundin’”; and episodes of ABC’s hit TV shows “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives.”

“Selling one million videos in less than 20 days strongly suggests there is a market for legal video downloads,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Our next challenge is to broaden our content offerings, so that customers can enjoy watching more videos on their computers and new iPods.”

Music videos are available from artists including Madonna, U2, Eurythmics, Coldplay and Kanye West, and animated shorts are available from Academy Award-winning Pixar Animation Studios. In a landmark deal with ABC Disney, the iTunes Music Store also offers current and past episodes from the two most popular shows on television, “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost” as well as the new drama series “Night Stalker” and the two most popular shows from Disney Channel, “That’s So Raven” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.”

Coming full circle

Podcasting and you! Okay maybe a different form than audio. A series of tips that you could play on your new iPod. I think I need to invest in a new one and experiment in putting my own videos in it. I see a unique possibility opening up in ways that you could use it as a tool to reach your customer and maybe even educate them at the same time. Interested?

Things of note this morning

A couple of things:

First the Above The Noise DVD/CD will officially be released October 29th at Westside Church. To celebrate the release we are bringing in a few cameras of IMAG and switch the feed to their screens. This should be fun and I am looking forward to getting my hands on an actual release version.

Second I have determined that I will officially announce here our support for Podcasting and adding it to our services full time. I encourage all of our clients to think about how they can deliver their message in this form. It will be of great use to many of them in the near future as it will allow them to deliver their message directly to who wants to hear it.

Current Project:
Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon

Launch Pad 2005

Not a very great picture, but one I snapped earlier today before we installed the AV. This was a first year event called Launch Pad. It was a high tech event that was very enjoyable and satisfying to do. The keynote speaker was Dr. Moira Gunn and it was interesting to listen to what she had to say about innovation and technology and how it relates to Central Oregon.

I am also struck at how dynamic a presentation has the potential to be if you take a little time to plan. I guess why I say this is most people in my viewpoint only view PowerPoint as a way to an end, but imagine if you could use it to create a dynamic presentation. Now PowerPoint is probably the worst at playing back video clips, but it does excel at facts. Now imagine if you were to mix those facts with live dynamic media from a DVD or even from the web. This would involve your audience and tie them into your message. What if you were even able to make a podcast of the speech and have it available for a small fee on a CD for them to take home. Something definitely to think about.

We really did have a unique environment at Launch Pad because we had at least 2 live sources of wireless internet. What this would allow is truly the ability to use the web as a realtime tool to show off websites or other tools online. Increasingly venues offer this sort of option and you could then also do realtime graphics that pull from a website. Just some rants for the night!

Above the Noise thoughts

So I have in my hands a final authored version of Above the Noise that is now in the hands of the duplication facility. There is a bit of relief, and yet at the same time I am having a hard time letting go of this project. Sometimes the toughest part of a project like this is just saying you are done. As an editor and producer I always am pushing for better and better and yet sometimes it just has to be what it is. This project will change lives and it will bring a new style of contemporary worship to those that need it the most, but perfection is my benchmark. This project was both trying and yet extremely rewarding. Is it done? Well for the time being I would say yes, but would I like to revisit it if there is a second production run, absolutely. If you are interested in knowing more go ahead and email me and I will be happy to share what ever I know or point you in the right direction of those who do. I think I will put a link to a streaming version in the coming weeks that will be a couple of songs.

Time goes on...

So I am intrigued. Podcasting is really quiet a revolutionary way to reach your clients and potential clients. It gives you the power to reach and talk to those people that want to listen to what you have to say and if you speak honestly you are actually an expert. This allows an even greater reach into those precious pockets of your clients or customers. When you listen to a podcast you are an active listener because they have subscribed. Makes me wonder what kind of podcast I could do. Any ideas?

BendFilm final day

With the festival winding down I am struck with how much it takes a great group of individuals to pull off something of this magnitude. For only the second year this really has evolved into a wonderful festivsl. BendFilm builds itself around the filmakers and tries to put the priorities of them first. I feel strongly in this. In talking to some of the filmmakers they have put a lot of time and are very passionate about their films. That is why I am greatful that I have a great group of associates that look out in that interest too. I am greatful for all that they have done in the last few days and look forward to working with them in the near future.

BendFilm's team is as important. They have an outstanding team that is very focused on the best experience and it shows in every way. Several filmakers have stated that they get that feeling of importance also remarking that BendFilm seems to be doing things right. I am excited to be apart of this and will work hard to make sure that it continues.

The light is near!

As I post this we are close to finishing the Above the Noise DVD. It is one of those projects that as I get closer in a way I will be sad to see it over. I have learned a lot about business and a lot about myself as a editor. I will miss the interaction of Casey and Beth, but I know our paths will cross very soon again and this time the product will be even better because we will have a better vision of the project from the start. Look for a windows media file or two to be linked on the side bar. Up next BendFilm.

The random post of the day...

So for all of us production people out there it looks like there is hope in sight! Okay maybe we shouldn't live this way, but for those long editing session day after day help is on the way.

The random thought of the day!

Change in projects

You know that you really are pushing the envelope when you pull several all nighters and when all is said and done you just aren't happy enough. That is the way that the Above the Noise DVD is going. We are pushing hard to get this done and delivered by tomorrow, but we all sat down and said you know it isn't ready yet. This is a powerful DVD that will have a broad reach and yet we seem to be pushing it. The message will get lost unless we do it correct and that is just what we are going to do. We sat down and talked to the client and they agree that it needs to be done right and not let the message get lost. New deadline is August 1st and we will have an amazing DVD then.

other projects going on right now include a new edit for Working Wonders and 2005 campaign video for United Way of Deschutes County.

Reinventing the ????

So it is interesting to think that I am awake at 2:50am. Maybe it is the hot summer night or the restlessness of the next step. So what do I do I turn on the computer and contemplate just that.

Steps within every business happen. You open your doors. You make your first sale. You may even have a great group of repeat customers, but how did you get here? It struck me as I sit here on this warm summer night that first; this really is unlike any post I have made recently and second; we all reinvent ourselves or at least we should. From time to time we should take a breath, look around and take a hard look at where we are in life. Now sometimes that is a scary thing to do I realize, but I guess I was fortunate that events happened that made me look at my life a year ago. As I begin year 2 in business and almost a full year in the blogasphere it is time to take those steps again.

The reason I started this business was because I really only wanted to work for myself. I find this incredibly rewarding, but the one thing I do miss is the amount of interaction with the other employees. People and your relationships with them are really some of the rewards in life. I am fortunate that I have worked for some great clients so far and it really was the people. So I guess I have traded one form of relationship for another and some would say you are able to really take the time with clients that you may not be able to do with co-workers. Personal gain only gets you so far in life it is how you form those bonds with your clients or I guess the way that I would treat them would be friends. I think I have made a pretty good trade in that regard, but what about the other reasons which were, Family, Time, and personal satisfaction.

I think that those are the things I am struggling with the most. I really am blessed to have a great girlfriend. She has opened my eyes to many things and we just recently had the conversation about working conditions. For all of you out there that operate home based businesses you can appreciate what I am about to say in that it is tough to run a business out of your home and have kids that are home during the summer. Plus side you can go out on a nice summer day and do something, but it also can make them a tad stir crazy. So I think it may be time to get an office. Now Bend is not exactly the best place for real estate, but it may just be workable. This will mean I may have to actually have office hours again which is not exactly my favorite, but it will give a feeling of okay here is where I work and here (home) is were I relax. Increased overhead, but I think it may be time.

I really am feeling a strong pull to grow the business. Not necessarily to make it bigger, but better. More focused on what I love to do and that is live events. I realized that I have not produced an event for a couple of months and would love to do another. I just love the adrenaline rush you get when everything is working and you are enjoying the event. I may need some reinvention here. I think I need to go back to my roots and develop some marketing materials that can help sell those services better. Show people why they need to hire us.

You know the reason you should be doing anything though is because you love it and I most certainly do!

Yes More Functionality

So as you will see by the post below I am working on adding even more functionality and include even better photo links. We are working fast and furious on the DVD for Above the Noise and I hope to go into authoring by the end of next week.

Thought for the day: How will HD filter down into use by everyone in the home?

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Mac VS PC

Okay why the heck would I take a swipe at this one... I am definitely treading in uncalm waters! Let me get this out of the way. I edit with Premiere Pro on a PC and have in one way or another edited on a PC for the last 7 years. So with that disclaimer out of the way let me talk a bit of the reasons that I would go to a Mac for doing what I do.

I am in the business of creating media. I want a tool that will do the job in a cost effective manner and one that has many features built into one piece of software. I think for everything that has been done Microsoft has done an outstanding job when it comes to tools for the office, but that is what they have focused on. Apple has focused on developing tools for media professionals.

I recently did a job for a client that required me to edit some video pieces into a short movie and then play it back during the final banquet. Now I have been editing on a PC, but I had access to a G4 laptop and decided to give it a whirl. The process went so much smoother and I was even able to burn a simple DVD in less time than with my PC. I know the Mac may be slower, but the workflow is in my opinion much better and even quicker on a mac. I encourage Apple to take this opportunity over the next 2 years to really develop fast efficient computers with Intel.

Okay now back to work on my PC... Oh but I crave a new G5 with Final Cut Pro.

Podcasts?

So the question of the day for me has to be the natural extension of podcasting into video. Apple deserves some credit here. I know that they are the little company that people either love, hate, or love to hate; but they are changing the landscape of how media is delivered. With the new update of iTunes they have included a feature for podcasting. This alone leads to greater equalization in media by allowing anyone with a way to record audio to publish their thoughts on the matter. What this means from a marketing standpoint is podcasting can be an extremely useful tools with tips of the day or even speeches from CEOs or even more. I know that the more traditional marketing people would tell you that the potetial for your message to be copied and diluted is also there, but I think this is just another way that we can reach out to our customers. I think I really went off into a tangent though.

I think that the engineers are working hard on how can they include video podcasting. Imagine the ability to not only deliver audio, but deliver your commercials or other content directly to your customer. Now the trick here is that customers know when they are being sold something so you have to give them something that is real about your product or better ways to use them. This seems to be a natural extension of even events with the ability to deliver your conferences at first in audio, but also long term with video as well.

This is going to be fun!

A post a day will keep what away?

Greetings to all of you who may read my Blog. Apologies for not posting sooner! Just wanted to give you folks some quick updates on projects and talk a little about a great easy read for business owners.

The DVD is progressing and we will have a rough version by the end of next week to be looked at. Just shot an Iron Chef like competition at our local Bite Of Bend. We pumped it to a smaller screen for people to watch the food being prepared up close.

So I also wanted to talk a little about a book I just finished which is "Raving Fans". For anyone who has ever thought about making a difference with their customer service programs I encourage you to give a quick read to this one. This book has been out several years, but even today the lessons it teaches is simple and easily implemented!

PIA Version 2

So I am currently in a hotel in Coeur d'Alene Idaho after finishing a banquet for PIA and ready to go home. I wish I had some more time to look around here, but oh well it is what it is.

I am getting a kick out of doing what I love for great clients! In the last week I have done events for the Red Cross and PIA. It is a lot of fun to just combine what you love with work... Or is it really work?

The gorillas with the airline obviously however appeared to have droped my brand new case for some of my gear. When I got here I opened it and have noticed the rack rails on the inside are a bit bent. Need to figure a better way of shipping gear for projects like this.

So in the next week I have to get another rough cut done on Above The Noise and also go ballooning! Yep Balloons over Bend is this weekend and I am looking forward to crewing for Skydancer Balloon Company. For those of you who haven't tried it you must go ballooning. It is a very gentle feeling and very enjoyable!

A great performance

So the Sunday came and went and what a whirlwind day it was. It really is amazing at what we put in that room. Visually I got some great shots by Fluid Images and the rest of the talented crew.

I was really struck on Sunday after the show by all of it. I guess I become numb to the sense of live production. It takes a lot to pull off a good show and it has to be done by good people as well. When a good show comes together you have a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. I think these pictures show how well it looked.

I also am really blessed to be around some incredible people. Not only are they very supportive, but they allow me to continue to push the envelope. Conor keeps raising the bar higher and higher and in turn challenges me to think of different things in unique ways.


Back stage picture

Picture of concert in progress

Not only though is it Conor, but on this one it was an entire group of talented individuals from Above The Noise LLC. Every time I have done a production for them I learn a couple of more things about myself in the process. A good client is one that challenges and rewards through the process of the creation, and they are just that kind of client.

Really though with this kind of production you have an even deeper thanks for those around you that support you. In this case I am really blessed to have a wonderful girlfriend who supports me and the wierd hours of production!

Well on to the next!

T Minus 2 Days

The stage has been placed a day early and the audio has also been placed. Things are taking shape very nicely with completion of the front video piece nearly complete as well. Another really busy day ahead tomorrow, but it is all worth it.



With four subs a side it shakes the entire facility. Pretty amazing sound!

Our front of house engineer, Josh, hard at work dialing in the sound.

T Minus 3 Days

Picture of group working on the platforms for the cameras and Front of house consoles.


This is a picture from rehersal on Sunday night.

Future Filmmakers

So here is a picture from an event a couple of weeks ago. I ran an entire awards show for young filmmakers as well as bringing in a PA for the room. There is a lot of talent that those kids have. The winner of the "Best Of Show" was a spoof on the Lord of the Rings and was very humorous.

T minus 10 days

Here is obviously not a very good picture, but one of a logistics meeting we had the other day. Stage design is in process and final preparations are being made. I will attempt to post daily for the next week to give you the readers a better picture of what we are doing.

T Minus 18 Days

So with it fast approaching we are finalizing the details on the concert DVD for Westside Church. The event is Above the Noise and we will be doing 6 cameras including a crane. As we get closer look for a daily update with pictures of the event each day.

I think I need to write a few press releases about what we have been doing as it has been a lot of great events and a whole lot of fun.

Celebration Of Kids 2005

This is a couple of images from the event last weekend.

This is what it looked like to the audience with the occasional use of IMAG (image magnification) on the screen to the right.


This is a dancer from Warm Springs that helped entertain before the event.

Drake Awards 2005 Images

Here are a couple of images from the awards last month.

This is a picture of the stage before the night began.


Our emcee in action during the event. We drove the 2 screens completely automated. With over 100 images alone on the right screen it took quite a bit of programming by this guy below.


For those of you who read this blog you have seen pictures of him, but this event came off so well largely because of the tremendous work done by Conor of LJ3 Entertainment.


Okay me hard at work during the event.

One more complete

One more event completed! We produced an event for Central Oregon Boys & Girls Clubs and they seemed to be happy. We had some challenges with a drama group, but as a whole it was a great event and I think their was great excitement when it was completed.

This next week:

Produce as many DVDs for Westside as possible.

A month without a post....

Okay I know it really has been a long time. I had a great event this last Saturday and many great things going on. I will post some stuff next week, but I just wanted to let the 3 readers of my blog know that I am alive and kicking.

Productions done in the last 30 days:
1) 30 Second spot for auto repair company
2) Shot some footage for BendFilm
3) Shot 4 DVDs and posted one for local church
4) Major awards banquet (Pictures to come)
5) Pre-production for event next Saturday
6) Began work for production of concert DVD

More details to come early next week on a few of these. On an interesting google note I have had 3 people ask for help in regards to a type one error in Adobe Encore all from this blog. I guess another testament to blogging.

You are doing what?

Okay I have to admit it I took a job for a local TV station producing a commercial because their production schedule is something like 4 weeks out. I know that I will enjoy doing it because it is using my skills, but at the same time I really don't want to get back into the spot production business at least on a small budget scale. It is rewarding helping a fellow small business owner get their message out in hopes to drive customers to their door. Just not very profitable, but something to add to my reel of things I can do.

Creative spam for the day!

Okay so I don't normally read spam, but this one caught my attention because of the phrases around the outside... Click on it and view it full size and see what you think. Someone went to a lot of effort to bypass a spam filter.

HDV Update

So I said I would post a little on HDV and it's inroads. I came across this interesting post on HDV and HD. It is a bit on the lengthy side, but it does show that there is a strong belief from a consumer standpoint HDV will equate to the image quality of HD. I will say that there will always be advantages with using HDCam or Panasonic's Varicam, but for smaller corporate clients they will be getting maximum bang for their buck. One other thing of interest that I recently overheard from fairly reliable sources (Panasonic and Sony reps) Sony will be unveiling an HD camcorder based on their current XDCam technology which will be very intriguing from a standpoint that it records to optical disc which means that you will be able to bypass the whole encoding step and load right into your editor. Panasonic will also have something like this for their P2 system which records to flash memory cards. It is exciting to see how technology within the HD market is beginning to really make inroads into a lower pricepoint making it possible for all producers to produce in HD. Food for thought.......

An incredible weekend

Some images from Sunday nights performance. It was an amazing time and thouroughly enjoyable. It really has given me an idea of the direction that I need to head in. I need some gear and some other things, but this will really work. Conor from LJ3 and I together put up 2 screens for a total of 3 including the tower's one in the center and all of the stage mics and gear for sound reinforcement. I did IMAG and VJ on the center and left and Westside put up words for the songs on the left. This was just the culmination of an incredibly busy weekend. More to come on that including some more images.

Working for yourself gratification!

I came to a realization this morning that I must stay the course for one reason alone, I deeply am moved by doing pieces that effect and change lives for the positive. I am putting the final touches on a fund raising piece for my kids school and I was moved by the way it spoke to the small parent "focus" group that saw it. I would have not been able to do that before. Certainly with my previous job we did things that were great for the community, but seldom was there the opportunity to do smaller pieces for groups that I was effected by. I need this flexibility in my life as I know that in the long run I need this as a cornerstone of my own personal life. Yes I am getting a bit personal here, but I need to realize that my business is founded on my core beliefs and will follow those.

The dream that I will follow will be to direct not necessarily produce for a non-profit production company. A company to do pieces for non-profits that need a bigger bang, but don't have the bigger bucks. The idea is to work with those that have the bucks to help offset the ones that do not. Keep costs down and make it a training ground for younger visionaries and people that are just getting into the business. A dream, but one to follow.

Okay now out of the ethereal and down to reality:
Friday-Media Mania For Winterfest (The promo piece premiers during this event at a separate location)
Saturday- Cascade Festival of Music
Sunday- Westside Church "Above the Noise"

Next week a quick update on HDV and HD in general.

HDV

HDV will be what DV did for production for HD. Imagine being able to shoot HD quality productions on a mini DV camcorder. The industry is moving very quickly on the editing end and mark my words at NAB I bet you will see at least 3 or 4 more HDV camcorders. I am excited because this will allow my clients to get HD quality without paying HD prices. I know some out there will be quick to point out that it isn't true HD, but to 85% of the people, if not more, will never know that it isn't as good as a varicam or HDCAM. Sure if the client has the money then they will get that quality, but this will allow the standard client to get something better.

Okay I am excited!

In the oh my gosh I forgot to put that on my blog category!

Okay a bit on the long side on that title! I forgot in all of the production of Avenue H I got a call from Panagrafik (a local ad agency) to help with a tsunami relief piece. Bellatazza, a local coffee company, decided to give back to help in the relief efforts with a special relief blend of coffee with proceeds going to the relief efforts. Their goal is $50,000 and I know they will make it. If you are interested in how you could get a pound of this coffee visit Bellatazza.com and see how you can help.

Some images from the Avenue H DVD

Picture from AvenueH Promo DVD. This is from the music video section of the project.


A nice picture of Drake park from the DVD.


Image from the title sequence.

As you can see a lot of work went into this piece. If you are interested in either Avenue H or seeing their DVD email me at pinnacleevents@gmail.com.

Blog Marketing...

So a couple of older posts that I found interesting:

IPG Establishes Blog Specialty Group
NEW YORK Interpublic Group's MWW Group said it has set up a blogging subsidiary.

Called Blog 360, the division promises to help corporations create blogs that will provide "a unique and highly effective platform to connect with key constituents and audiences who are more difficult to reach via traditional marketing and public relations," the agency said in a statement.

Blog 360 has enlisted the expertise of Stephen Morgan Friedman, who runs the blog overheardinnewyork.com. "Through blogs, MWW's clients will have the ability to truly speak the language of their customers," he said.

Also this interesting note on Blog readership.

So I guess I just keep on blogging. I hope you all enjoy at least reading every once in a while.

Where have you been?

Okay so a little late in posting here... For those who read often I appologize for not posting sooner, but after several long nights last week finishing up what we affectionately call version 1 of the Avenue H DVD I took a little break. We put the final authoring touches on it early Sunday morning and it is an amazing example of a great team putting everything in place. Conor from LJ3 Entertainment did a fantastic job of mixing the audio from multiple source including some multi-track sessions and some stereo recordings on Mini Disc. I will post a couple of snapshots of it on here tomorrow. So what is next...

1) Short promo piece for my kid's school
2) Media Mania for Bend Winterfest
3) Another Above the Noise
4) Drake Awards
5) Enjoy the early spring in Central Oregon

Oh we can only dream!

A typical Day?

Okay all of you out there reading my blog what does a typical day look like for you? I mean what do you do each day? I only ask because I am wanting to see how others structure their day and make it work for them.

So post your days!