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I recently joined the DSLR video revolution (see my post: “converted in vegas”) and have been shooting full 1080p HD video on a Canon 7d. I’m loving the images and I’m putting up with the funky workarounds. (Note: these cameras were not designed for shooting video. Yes, they make great pictures, but there’s a bit of voodoo needed to make this technological alchemy work.)

When I called this a revolution, I wasn’t overstating the case. These relatively cheap “stills” cameras are attacking the establishment’s traditional video cameras and blowing them away with incredible results. Kinda like a video tea party.  You gotta love a good revolution, but I’m warning you, there’s a dark side and I’m here - as a lone voice crying out in this unmapped territory - to at least warn of the very real danger lurking seductively in the shadows.   Don’t blame me. You’ve been warned. [Read more →]

This is the third, and probably final, installment in my posts of lessons from my latest project.  The first was on communication, second on contracts and this is about the money.  If money isn’t all that important to you, then don’t waste your time reading any further. But, if you need to get paid what you’re worth to provide the necessities of life (bills, food, housing, a new camera, etc.), then read on… [Read more →]

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been overseeing a large project for a major ministry and although I’ve been working professionally in television for more than 30 years, this project has brought to light some important things that I do automatically but, it turns out, are not standard operating procedure.  Last time I hit on a big communications issue; this time its on business.

Want to save yourself some headaches, keep from looking like an idiot, and reduce the chance of pissing off your client?  Read on… [Read more →]

I’m overseeing a large project that has several producers working on individual segments. This process is incredibly rewarding, giving me the opportunity to work with very creative friends that I rarely get the chance to interact with.  It’s also been a great learning opportunity. I’ve discovered new ways of organizing and managing creative people and fueling the process of fostering creativity.  But I’ve also gotten so frustrated that I [edit out nasty things], well, suffice it to say, this process has had moments that have made me crazed.  I’m going to write about some of them over the life of this project.  Here’s the first.  Try talking… [Read more →]

I’ve been in the market for a new HD video camera for some time now.  That’s why I played around with my schedule and bailed on a couple of days of billable work to go to Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters convention (NAB).  For those who have never gone to this annual toy-fest there’s really no way to describe it.  It’s the entire LV Convention Center (and the surrounding parking lots) filled with the latest TV and radio technical toys. It’s a porn show for geeks.  It’s the last place you’d expect a conversion to take place (unless of course we’re talking about converting a H.264 video file to an editable MOV file… but I digress).  Nevertheless, I was converted in Vegas, and when something of that magnitude happens, it can’t just stay in Vegas. [Read more →]

I just returned from the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville.  It’s a conference I try not to miss - not because of the great lineup of speakers (I’d rather listen to their podcast or read their books); not because of the musical talent (you won’t find any of those guys in my iPod); not because of the exhibition floor (I go to NAB to drool) — but because of the relationships and workshops.

There are many people I see once a year - at NRB - and that in itself makes the trip worthwhile.  But what I really love is sharing what I’ve learned with others at the workshops, and picking up new ideas from those I respect.  I never have enough time to go to all of the sessions that I could benefit from.

But every year I come home with a bag full of meaningless swag and a pile of business cards. This year, only five of these cards have remained on my desk - the rest are in the trash along with the stress balls and brochures.  Hopefully, these five cards will open up new relationships and new business - and new ways to serve the Kingdom of God.

On Christmas Day, I turned my Blackberry off as I boarded a flight from Grand Rapids to Ft. Lauderdale.  The four of us (Kat, Tori, Alex & I) were off for a week of relaxation, sun, scuba and fun in Key West.   The next day, we used the phone once to set up a lunch and then to find our girls on the beach, and then I turned it off with no intention of even thinking about it for the rest of the week.

I brought my trusty Toshiba netbook with me, but only used it to do a mapquest and check diving conditions.  For the first time in  - well, maybe ever - I totally unplugged my business side for an entire week.

Finally, ten days later, driving to a client location on January 4, the phone went back on and the list of messages (email and voice) was lengthy.  Some were thought to be emergencies when they were left, but everyone survived, no projects derailed, and I could just smile…

Try this on your next vacation. As I found out, not only will you benefit, but your family will feel they finally have you - and your full attention - and that will be reward enough.

I’ve had the privilage of working with many great men and women in the Christian world - Pat Robertson, Luis Palau, Kay Arthur, Rod Parsley, Leighton Ford, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Thomas Zimmerman… really, it’s a long list.   But I put Billy Graham and Oral Roberts in a completely different category, and I’m humbled to have worked with both of them.

Less than a month before the Lord called him home, I had the immense honor of producing what would be the final television interview with Oral Roberts.  We did it in the living room of his home in Newport Beach. This is not a room made for TV, it’s long and narrow.  One wall is all glass windows looking out on the golf course, the other wall is all mirrors - you who know television production are feeling my pain. We had a very limited time to set up the 3 cameras, lighting and sound.  Somehow we did it, and it looked good.

Rod Parsley did the interview, which was more of a conversation and a time of prayer.  Here were two men, friends, who both knew the anointing and power of God, from two generations, and both had the sense that this could be their last time together.  The atmosphere in the room was charged, and when Oral looked at the camera and said “something good is going to happen to you” - I believed it.  And later during prayer when he again looked up into the camera and said “be healed” - I knew people were being healed.

We can tell stories some other time… but today, as his funeral is taking place, I wanted to recall the man who told millions to “expect a miracle” - and who today is hearing his Savior say “well done”.

Sometimes, maybe once a week, I find myself at Waffle House enjoying their steak and eggs (medium, over medium, wheat, scattered and well done).  I admit, this is not where you go for a great steak, and the atmosphere is passable at best - but sometimes, good enough is well, good enough.

That’s why I was shocked recently when a employee came in while I was waiting for my order.  As soon as he hung up his coat, he went to work. He first washed all of the tables, then swept and washed the floor. All the while he was telling the other employees that a clean restaurant is a good restaurant.  That it’s good for business and they would all make more money if the place was clean and neat.  By now, my food had come and he was filling ketchup bottles.  Finally someone asked him why he was there so early. You wouldn’t believe it…

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You know the routine… meet someone new, and one of the first questions is: “So, what do you do?”  My answer, “I’m a television producer” is usually followed by their quissical response, “And what does a television producer do?”  It’s a good question!  On any given day I could be doing any one of a great variety of things… negotiating, formatting, editing, flying, shooting, invoicing… the list is endless.

One thing I find myself doing every single day is writing… and writing on a deadline. Or, as I like to say, writing with a shotgun held to my head.

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