I was videotaping joggers in a nearby public park last week for a series of television advertisements regarding training for a local marathon to be held in December.
A few passersby stopped and asked what I was shooting and were quite friendly. I struck up a conversation with the lead instructor of a fitness group who were exercising nearby. But most everyone else just sort of stared at the camera for a few moments and continued on about their day.
It probably helped that I was using big, expensive professional equipment and was wearing a shirt that said FOX News all over it.
So the office is sponsoring this marathon thingie that’ll be happening later this month or so and they asked me to make, like, 30 PSAs for first-timers getting ready for the marathon. They wanted me to use stills from Getty and I was like, why? Why, when I can go to the park and shoot joggers doing their thing? So that’s what I did just now. Shooting at the park right before dusk and I have a little more than an hour of footage: more than enough for what I need. I’m tired, though. I’m gonna get me some Chinese food and head home.
Ana likes when I’m mean. Being a girl, she frequently fishes for compliments from other human beings with statements like "I feel fat", etc. Not one to fall for such obvious bait I agreed with her, prompting the above response and a few giggles.
I got a nice compliment from two people in a conversation that had nothing to do with me until I walked by. Eric, one of the master control operators, was in a discussion with Donnie, the master control chief, about how he felt like he didn’t have much in the way of creativity and was basically stuck doing jobs consisting of menial labor. Donnie was countering the point in her normal girlie way when I walked by to grab a clipboard and Eric said “not like Jason. He’s gifted. He shouldn’t even be down here. He needs to get out of the Valley and go to some market somewhere that will appreciate him.”
I paused and awaited a barrage of cynical laughter when Donnie chimed in: “I agree. Jason has so much talent that it practically oozes out of him. Like he’s gonna slip on it and fall down.”
I just stood there. I didn’t know how to respond so, after a moment of them staring at me I said, “I guess that’s why I’m The Guy.” I paused. “I’d normally have something funny to say right now, but I don’t.” With that I sheepishly walked back to my desk.
Tomorrow I have a news promo to shoot and edit, another Havana spot to produce and my regular daily chores along with a model shoot after work with a petite Ukrainian hottie named Anna who reallyreallyreally wants to work with me. Also, next week I begin work on my book project. I have the models in play and I’m ready. Should be fun.
Last night I shot footage for a commercial I’ll be working on today for a brand new local night club called Havana Club & Grill. Edward went with me and we started shooting around 8pm, but it became clear to him that he didn’t need to be there so I dropped him back off at the office and I continued shooting until 2am. I almost hooked up with a girl, too. An aspiring lawyer, actually. She got me to dance with her as I held the heavy camera. As it turns out, I can’t dance, so she pretty much lost interest. But she gave good face for the camera so I’m gonna use her for the spot (she is the girl who spins into camera, slightly obscured by dancing arms immediately following a whip-pan of the bar). I’m cool like that. Fun, though.
Following is the video I shot and edited from that evening and is used as background footage for the final commercial. The music was recorded live as a complete eight-minute performance and I edited key elements from the song into the thirty second version you hear in the final spot. Enjoy.
iPhone users click here to watch the video.
So I’ve applied to Blizzard Entertainment in regard to a recent employment opportunity for a Video Editor. I think I’d much rather work in their Cinematic department, but oh well. Aside from the cover letter, this is what I submitted. I’m actually pretty scared about getting this one as it would require I move to Irvine, California. I’ve never been one to be afraid of commitment, but now…I don’t know. I guess we’ll see what happens. Either way, at least I tried.
I made a sweet promo for the local FOX affiliate I work for. FOX Network supplied her affiliates with slow motion footage of the Giants and Patriots from NFL Films. I used the big orchestral version of the NFL On FOX theme and the speed-up and slow-down style of editing that you may recognize from movies like 300. I also used a few seconds of footage from a pre-edited NFL on FOX sales presentation, minus voice and music. This is where I got the sound effects. I wrote the script and voice over artist Pat Garrett read the copy. This is the final product that aired. Trust me, I really am this good. And since I typically favor the underdog: Go Giants!
iPhone users click here to watch the video.
It’s Halloween: time for the annual office costume party!
I came as Dr. House from the hit FOX TV series. Click on my picture to see the slideshow. Then I went to the Evanescence concert with Gibby, Jesse and his girlfriend (and happened to sit down with Mike Quinn and his wife) at the Dodge Arena. I’m not even a fan, but I liked what I heard. Of courses I sang along with my favorite song from them, “Call Me When You’re Sober”.
Pictured from left: Celia, me, Diana
Larry called my desk this afternoon. The thing is, the GM doesn’t call anyone…ever. He gets his personal assistant to make the calls or search the office for someone to deliver the bad news: that Mister Safir wants to see you in his office. But he called me. And he told me that he thought the promos I made this week were great and he wanted me to keep up that level of quality in my work. I hadn’t blushed in years so I kinda didn’t know what I was feeling for a few moments. After my elated thank yous, we hung up and I turned to Leo in Master Control and gave him a guy hug. Leo said I’m a Made Man, to borrow from Goodfellas. And because I was a Made Man now, it was like he was also made. Pretty nice. Now I need to just keep on truckin’. Easy enough, right?
I’m in a new commercial, this time for a local insurance agency. I play the guy driving the car. Check it out.
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