I got a call early last week from a lady whose mother had just died. My company had been referred to her as possibly being able to produce the funeral video for her. I'll admit, it took me a second to formulate a response - which of course began with some words of sympathy for the loss. Was someone really interested in filming a funeral?
I've read about this in a couple of magazines the last few years, but I had decided that it wasn't the type of business I would enjoy doing. First, profiting from someone else's loss? Sure, a funeral home or cemetery profits from the same thing, but they perform a job that is certainly much more functional and necessary. Video? Possibly a short memorial photo montage set to tasteful music...but that's not what was being requested.
As it turned out, there were some family members that would not be able to make it into town on such short notice. The video would be of the memorial service only, nothing more, and would be shipped ASAP to the out-of-town family.
Long story short, I considered that I am of course a service business, and since my service was being requested and I don't have a moral objection to being at a funeral, it was in everyone's best interest for me to be there. So I did it. And....it wasn't so bad. I got strange looks from some of the people in attendance, but it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. Hey, we've seen plenty of political and celebrity funerals filmed live on TV...isn't a close loved one much more important than some person whom you've never met?
Would I do it again? Probably. Will I be advertising this service? Probably not...it still seems too...strange, or heartless, something like that. I do feel good about being able to help with the healing process. Some of the people at the service, as with most funerals, had very kind things to say about the departed, and were in seemingly rare form in their declarations. I think it will be a nice recording of their words for them to revisit in the future. I'm not sure I'd want a DVD of a friend or family member's funeral, but what do I know?
3.16.2007
You gotta be kidding me...
http://tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=11708
Okay, so really it doesn't matter which side of the aisle you are on (even if it's the middle of the aisle). I think the discussion on where the various media outlets fall on their coverage of news and events has become clear. For the most part, it's left-leaning. Then there's Fox News (which is on cable of course, not broadcast) and not really a lot else. I don't know whether Fox News is really "fair and balanced" or not because I don't get the channel, but let's just say for the sake of argument that they are right-leaning.
So a half-dozen or so national broadcasters and hundreds of affiliates on one side, 1 cable channel on the other side (or is there another channel besides Fox News that I haven't heard of yet?). Not exactly balanced, but who says you must have balance? It's supposed to be a free market of ideas, and political speech should be especially protected from scrutiny.
And now we have a handful of Democrats fronting an effort against the vast right wing conspiracy in effect every week on Sunday. If you clicked on that link at the first part of this post, you'll see what has me laughing right now. If you didn't read it yet, go ahead and read it real quick...I'll wait...........
Okay, so these Democrats are concerned about the lack of balance by news shows on Sunday? I suppose they must be satisfied with the balance during the remainder of the week....but 6 out of 7 days is apparently not enough. There are some other quotable quotes in that article, I'll leave it to you to find the most fun ones for yourself.
The real issues is that a lot of the news on Monday is determined by weekend news and event coverage and commentary. The argument is therefore made that if Sunday is dominated by conservatives then Monday will soon be their domain as well. Tuesday should be shaking in it's boots right now - it's next!
Seriously, don't these elected officials have something better to do than make news about making the news? Let the news channels choose who they want to have on their show. If they want Al Gore talking about global warming and Hillary Clinton talking about universal healthcare, let them do it. If people want to watch, then they will watch. If not, then the networks may change their content. They have already decided that their Sunday audience will watch more conservative material than liberal, so let them do it. Forcing networks to change their coverage against their viewership is bound to send the advertisers running for greener pastures and the producers polishing their resumes for the next job.
Really though...I doubt these Sunday shows are having such a drastic effect on the "national discourse" since the viewing audience already leans to the right on these particular shows. They are not strict news shows...these are opinion-heavy pieces and are not subject to the same guidelines to which pure journalism should adhere. Of course, I'd love to see what pure journalism looks like....if it ever existed.
Anyway, read the article on one of my industry e-mails and thought it was funny/interesting/annoying. Feel free to comment.
Okay, so really it doesn't matter which side of the aisle you are on (even if it's the middle of the aisle). I think the discussion on where the various media outlets fall on their coverage of news and events has become clear. For the most part, it's left-leaning. Then there's Fox News (which is on cable of course, not broadcast) and not really a lot else. I don't know whether Fox News is really "fair and balanced" or not because I don't get the channel, but let's just say for the sake of argument that they are right-leaning.
So a half-dozen or so national broadcasters and hundreds of affiliates on one side, 1 cable channel on the other side (or is there another channel besides Fox News that I haven't heard of yet?). Not exactly balanced, but who says you must have balance? It's supposed to be a free market of ideas, and political speech should be especially protected from scrutiny.
And now we have a handful of Democrats fronting an effort against the vast right wing conspiracy in effect every week on Sunday. If you clicked on that link at the first part of this post, you'll see what has me laughing right now. If you didn't read it yet, go ahead and read it real quick...I'll wait...........
Okay, so these Democrats are concerned about the lack of balance by news shows on Sunday? I suppose they must be satisfied with the balance during the remainder of the week....but 6 out of 7 days is apparently not enough. There are some other quotable quotes in that article, I'll leave it to you to find the most fun ones for yourself.
The real issues is that a lot of the news on Monday is determined by weekend news and event coverage and commentary. The argument is therefore made that if Sunday is dominated by conservatives then Monday will soon be their domain as well. Tuesday should be shaking in it's boots right now - it's next!
Seriously, don't these elected officials have something better to do than make news about making the news? Let the news channels choose who they want to have on their show. If they want Al Gore talking about global warming and Hillary Clinton talking about universal healthcare, let them do it. If people want to watch, then they will watch. If not, then the networks may change their content. They have already decided that their Sunday audience will watch more conservative material than liberal, so let them do it. Forcing networks to change their coverage against their viewership is bound to send the advertisers running for greener pastures and the producers polishing their resumes for the next job.
Really though...I doubt these Sunday shows are having such a drastic effect on the "national discourse" since the viewing audience already leans to the right on these particular shows. They are not strict news shows...these are opinion-heavy pieces and are not subject to the same guidelines to which pure journalism should adhere. Of course, I'd love to see what pure journalism looks like....if it ever existed.
Anyway, read the article on one of my industry e-mails and thought it was funny/interesting/annoying. Feel free to comment.
3.07.2007
Randomness
Just as a head's up, you probably don't need to read this. It's basically just random stuff that comes to my mind, and it will likely be....very boring. You're welcome.
HOLY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS! Now we get to spring forward much earlier, giving us longer, harder days of light. No, wait, I think I'm confusing that with some e-mail I got overnight. Either way, it's gonna be great. I can continue plowing the field until late in the evening much earlier in the year than I could in years past.
The Garage Band Network! Woo! This is a project we are working on at my day job. We're trying to find things to utilize the studio space better during late night hours. Basically, we'll let bands come in, play in front of the cameras and give 'em a CD and DVD of all that when they leave. I have no idea how this will work...it'll ultimately come down to the price/feature balance. I'm probably breaking all my corporate conduct codes by leaking this, so don't tell anyone, k? Million dollar question....when does it launch? I dunno, maybe next month.
Funniest ironic/sad moment of the ordeal has been the constant requests to bring SCAP in to do some test runs on the equipment and procedures. I haven't been able to get the point across to them that we haven't played together in quite....a....while.....but yes, they insist. So Walt book your flight from sunny CA right quick. Mike, you can land the jet right in the back lot (I'll clear some of the brush and apartments for you). Eric, re-hydrate the drum set. Ryan, I have no idea where you are but bring it old school. Jon - no codename: oatmeal please. Gwam, go un-steal that bass. Chris, enough movie time, it's freakin' rock time!
SCAP UNITE!
There will be a short tour with limited edition t-shirts. Sorry, all out of panties.
I'll give you all a moment to stop laughing.........aight, let's move on.
Jingles is making her first trip to the beach with us this year. That's gonna be awesome....unless we get there during killer shark season. Hate that.
Still looking for a job where I get paid to stay home and watch TV. The problem is the vacation days and sick days, as most of these types of jobs offer neither (depending on how you look at it). I'll keep you posted.
Saw an old friend this weekend...Jess Purdy. He was recently married and was having a Georgia reception at his family's house in Your Favorite Town. His house is on the street right behind my parent's, and his father commented on how they missed hearing the band practice late at night. Someone else made a comment about this, too. Nice to hear. Of course, there was also a question about "what are you doing these days" or something like that. When I said "video production," you could see a face of surprise followed by confusion, as if to say "so...you're not still doing the music thing?" Oddly enough, that was also the follow-up question at one point.
Good to see Jess though, and his wife was a nice gal, too. Lots of people there so we only stuck around for about an hour so as to free the house up for others.
Mike is flying jets at speeds beyond my interest these days. I've been on a commercial flight for maybe 4 or 5 round-trip flights my entire life, and that was fun enough. I'm not opposed to flying, but I don't really like it all that much and I'd rather drive. Less chance of losing luggage and being molested by the TSA that way, too. So I don't see much jet fighter flying in my future...it's all your's Mike.
On a related note, find yourself a chance to ask Mike about the theme park super-fun-time ride he got to go on recently. Awesome.
I want a crane.
Just another day at the lake.
Why is it okay to have a game called "Whack a mole" but not one called "Club a Baby Seal" (with real clubbing action)? Strange dichotomy.
HOLY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS! Now we get to spring forward much earlier, giving us longer, harder days of light. No, wait, I think I'm confusing that with some e-mail I got overnight. Either way, it's gonna be great. I can continue plowing the field until late in the evening much earlier in the year than I could in years past.
The Garage Band Network! Woo! This is a project we are working on at my day job. We're trying to find things to utilize the studio space better during late night hours. Basically, we'll let bands come in, play in front of the cameras and give 'em a CD and DVD of all that when they leave. I have no idea how this will work...it'll ultimately come down to the price/feature balance. I'm probably breaking all my corporate conduct codes by leaking this, so don't tell anyone, k? Million dollar question....when does it launch? I dunno, maybe next month.
Funniest ironic/sad moment of the ordeal has been the constant requests to bring SCAP in to do some test runs on the equipment and procedures. I haven't been able to get the point across to them that we haven't played together in quite....a....while.....but yes, they insist. So Walt book your flight from sunny CA right quick. Mike, you can land the jet right in the back lot (I'll clear some of the brush and apartments for you). Eric, re-hydrate the drum set. Ryan, I have no idea where you are but bring it old school. Jon - no codename: oatmeal please. Gwam, go un-steal that bass. Chris, enough movie time, it's freakin' rock time!
SCAP UNITE!
There will be a short tour with limited edition t-shirts. Sorry, all out of panties.
I'll give you all a moment to stop laughing.........aight, let's move on.
Jingles is making her first trip to the beach with us this year. That's gonna be awesome....unless we get there during killer shark season. Hate that.
Still looking for a job where I get paid to stay home and watch TV. The problem is the vacation days and sick days, as most of these types of jobs offer neither (depending on how you look at it). I'll keep you posted.
Saw an old friend this weekend...Jess Purdy. He was recently married and was having a Georgia reception at his family's house in Your Favorite Town. His house is on the street right behind my parent's, and his father commented on how they missed hearing the band practice late at night. Someone else made a comment about this, too. Nice to hear. Of course, there was also a question about "what are you doing these days" or something like that. When I said "video production," you could see a face of surprise followed by confusion, as if to say "so...you're not still doing the music thing?" Oddly enough, that was also the follow-up question at one point.
Good to see Jess though, and his wife was a nice gal, too. Lots of people there so we only stuck around for about an hour so as to free the house up for others.
Mike is flying jets at speeds beyond my interest these days. I've been on a commercial flight for maybe 4 or 5 round-trip flights my entire life, and that was fun enough. I'm not opposed to flying, but I don't really like it all that much and I'd rather drive. Less chance of losing luggage and being molested by the TSA that way, too. So I don't see much jet fighter flying in my future...it's all your's Mike.
On a related note, find yourself a chance to ask Mike about the theme park super-fun-time ride he got to go on recently. Awesome.
I want a crane.
Just another day at the lake.
Why is it okay to have a game called "Whack a mole" but not one called "Club a Baby Seal" (with real clubbing action)? Strange dichotomy.
1.22.2007
Year End Wrap-Up (yes, I know)
Christmas was great! Okay, so it has taken me a while, I'm slow, let's move on. Got to see all the family and a few of the friends, exchanged some gifts and ate waaaaayyy too much food. Seriously.
One of the most unique gifts I received was from a coworker and friend, Hal. He managed to get a copy of Vince Dooley's autobiography signed to me from Vince himself! Way cool, it read something along the lines of "Christian, Merry Christmas and GO DAWGS!" with his name signed under it on the inside front page. The guy's not really a big fan of UGA or Vince Dooley (big Bear Bryant guy) so it was doubly nice for him to have gotten that for me.
Got a new Wacom Intuos3 pen tablet also, this one from Sandy Claws. It's basically a tablet with a 6x8 sensor area where you can use a pen/stylus to draw, paint sketch or just use the pen instead of a mouse. Comes with a mouse, too, in case you want to use it. It's a crazy device, no batteries at all, and the pen and mouse are wireless (so I have no idea how that really works). Flip the pen over to write and it acts like an eraser. It's pressure and tilt sensitive, so the things works like a real pen, but on your computer. I've already used it to sketch out some graphics in Illustrator, paint stuff into After Effects and draw out some motion paths as well for short title animations. Screw the mouse, this thing is a lot more comfortable and accurate.
But it's not about the gifts, it's the thought that counts, and over Christmas time I thought a lot about all the great people in my life, my parents and grandparents, all the brothers and sisters I grew up with and stay close with, my wonderful wife, my dog, my job, my house - all the things that I may think about once in a while, but I find myself failing to fully appreciate. I won't lie, I know I take a lot of these things for granted, as if they'll always be there. I'd like to think I can go forward after that sort of contemplation and be more thankful in the future, but life stays so busy that it can be hard to stop and realize who and what has come together to make you who you are.
It was a great year for TradeWind Productions last year. I did an enormous amount of work and added a few new clients along the way. Weddings, beauty pageants, twirling recitals, photo slide shows, VHS and 8mm conversions, consulting....just a lot of stuff. Unfortunately, even though I was able to accomplish a lot and refine some of my skills, I didn't learn nearly enough new stuff. I try to do a little new training for software and practice some shooting concepts every couple of weeks, but last year that became very difficult around May. On top of that, my day job became more complex as I temporarily took on the producer/director position in addition to editing. We brought in dozens of people before we finally found a full-time replacement in November. I could have kept the job and dropped the editing, but honestly...I didn't want the job. I like editing, and I'm much better at post-production anyway. It was just a better idea to hold the job for the best person.
So now I'm working on some other projects and getting ready for the biggest wedding I've booked so far. It will be in February here in Atlanta. They have booked me for just about every service I offer for wedding videography, so I'm very thankful for that. I think they will be very satisfied with the results. I'm going to finish the couple's photo-video slide show a couple of weeks before the wedding and then just do some other work and training (and relaxing) leading up to the big day.
Too many words, not enough substance...I'll work on that for the next post.
One of the most unique gifts I received was from a coworker and friend, Hal. He managed to get a copy of Vince Dooley's autobiography signed to me from Vince himself! Way cool, it read something along the lines of "Christian, Merry Christmas and GO DAWGS!" with his name signed under it on the inside front page. The guy's not really a big fan of UGA or Vince Dooley (big Bear Bryant guy) so it was doubly nice for him to have gotten that for me.
Got a new Wacom Intuos3 pen tablet also, this one from Sandy Claws. It's basically a tablet with a 6x8 sensor area where you can use a pen/stylus to draw, paint sketch or just use the pen instead of a mouse. Comes with a mouse, too, in case you want to use it. It's a crazy device, no batteries at all, and the pen and mouse are wireless (so I have no idea how that really works). Flip the pen over to write and it acts like an eraser. It's pressure and tilt sensitive, so the things works like a real pen, but on your computer. I've already used it to sketch out some graphics in Illustrator, paint stuff into After Effects and draw out some motion paths as well for short title animations. Screw the mouse, this thing is a lot more comfortable and accurate.
But it's not about the gifts, it's the thought that counts, and over Christmas time I thought a lot about all the great people in my life, my parents and grandparents, all the brothers and sisters I grew up with and stay close with, my wonderful wife, my dog, my job, my house - all the things that I may think about once in a while, but I find myself failing to fully appreciate. I won't lie, I know I take a lot of these things for granted, as if they'll always be there. I'd like to think I can go forward after that sort of contemplation and be more thankful in the future, but life stays so busy that it can be hard to stop and realize who and what has come together to make you who you are.
It was a great year for TradeWind Productions last year. I did an enormous amount of work and added a few new clients along the way. Weddings, beauty pageants, twirling recitals, photo slide shows, VHS and 8mm conversions, consulting....just a lot of stuff. Unfortunately, even though I was able to accomplish a lot and refine some of my skills, I didn't learn nearly enough new stuff. I try to do a little new training for software and practice some shooting concepts every couple of weeks, but last year that became very difficult around May. On top of that, my day job became more complex as I temporarily took on the producer/director position in addition to editing. We brought in dozens of people before we finally found a full-time replacement in November. I could have kept the job and dropped the editing, but honestly...I didn't want the job. I like editing, and I'm much better at post-production anyway. It was just a better idea to hold the job for the best person.
So now I'm working on some other projects and getting ready for the biggest wedding I've booked so far. It will be in February here in Atlanta. They have booked me for just about every service I offer for wedding videography, so I'm very thankful for that. I think they will be very satisfied with the results. I'm going to finish the couple's photo-video slide show a couple of weeks before the wedding and then just do some other work and training (and relaxing) leading up to the big day.
Too many words, not enough substance...I'll work on that for the next post.
12.19.2006
How the Clear Channel Grinch Stole My Christmas Music
Unbelievably stupid. Why would a radio station known city-wide for their non-stop Christmas music late November and throughout December every year be switched to a different non-Christmas music format exactly 1 week before Christmas Day?
Lite 94.9 FM, a station with the same format for the last 15+ years, suddenly made the swap to COUNTRY???? music this past Sunday. Seriously, I listen to this station only one time during the year - Christmas - and I'm sure I'm not alone in that regard. The music the rest of the year is an unbearable mix of Michael Bolton, Rod Stewart and similar. Only at Christmas do they manage to attract such a sizable listening audience.
Nat King Cole. Carpenters. Even the ridiculous sounds of Mannheim Steamroller are acceptable listening during Christmas time. This station had it right. Now, they are called "The Bull" or something like that. Ha - lame!
Soooooo...anyway, the million dollar question is this: why not wait til the day after Christmas to switch formats? Maybe they figured if they were going to convert an audience they needed to do it when they knew people were listening, maybe they just didn't care. Still, when your money comes from advertisers as it does in radio, you need an audience. Is a country station going to draw more of an audience than easy listening - or Christmas music during CHRISTMAS? Pop quiz...you're in a doctor's/dentist's office either waiting for your appointment or getting worked on. Do you hear easy listening on the speakers or do you hear country music?
Anyway, that's my rant. There are two other stations in Atlanta that play Christmas music this time of year...104.7 The Fish and B98.5. The Fish plays too much new stuff (well, really just the same old songs poorly "remixed" by otherwise good Christian rock bands) and B98.5 doesn't play nearly enough of the old-old-old stuff (Bing, Nat, etc). I've got a sizeable MP3 collection of songs, that'll have to pull me through.
Thanks Clear Channel! First 96 Rock and the Regular Guys, now Christmas. Bah-humbug.
Outside of that, looks to be a fun Christmas this year. Family in town, wassail, cookies and new socks. Shazzaam!
Lite 94.9 FM, a station with the same format for the last 15+ years, suddenly made the swap to COUNTRY???? music this past Sunday. Seriously, I listen to this station only one time during the year - Christmas - and I'm sure I'm not alone in that regard. The music the rest of the year is an unbearable mix of Michael Bolton, Rod Stewart and similar. Only at Christmas do they manage to attract such a sizable listening audience.
Nat King Cole. Carpenters. Even the ridiculous sounds of Mannheim Steamroller are acceptable listening during Christmas time. This station had it right. Now, they are called "The Bull" or something like that. Ha - lame!
Soooooo...anyway, the million dollar question is this: why not wait til the day after Christmas to switch formats? Maybe they figured if they were going to convert an audience they needed to do it when they knew people were listening, maybe they just didn't care. Still, when your money comes from advertisers as it does in radio, you need an audience. Is a country station going to draw more of an audience than easy listening - or Christmas music during CHRISTMAS? Pop quiz...you're in a doctor's/dentist's office either waiting for your appointment or getting worked on. Do you hear easy listening on the speakers or do you hear country music?
Anyway, that's my rant. There are two other stations in Atlanta that play Christmas music this time of year...104.7 The Fish and B98.5. The Fish plays too much new stuff (well, really just the same old songs poorly "remixed" by otherwise good Christian rock bands) and B98.5 doesn't play nearly enough of the old-old-old stuff (Bing, Nat, etc). I've got a sizeable MP3 collection of songs, that'll have to pull me through.
Thanks Clear Channel! First 96 Rock and the Regular Guys, now Christmas. Bah-humbug.
Outside of that, looks to be a fun Christmas this year. Family in town, wassail, cookies and new socks. Shazzaam!
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