Fast Times at Viewmont High

dbeditorial — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:16:46 GMT

All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.

- Jeff Spicoli

I had enough credits to graduate High School, and we had a new TV Production class... Senior year 1972. Do the math. Persistence got me the weekend cameraman (cameraperson) job at a TV station in Salt Lake City. Today I am a Predator (Producer/Editor) in Dallas, and wondering why I did not study astro-physics! Back then the gear was so crazy expensive and you needed a herd (gaggle) of engineers to keep it running. The number of people working with TV gear was pretty limited, being able to drive a big Grass Valley switcher was like an "E" ticket at Disneyland and I had 3 M/Es. The first editor I got my hands was a Mach I at the Osmond Studios.

The first 10 years or so of my career was always near a TV transmitter, promos, cheap commercials, opens and long days in some semi-trailer parked under some arena directing some sport for somebody. Fool that I was, I thought if I could just get a job at a post-house, it would be 9-5! Heading south, I found myself in the velvet rut of Austin, Texas. I had a CMX-340, GVG-300 and two ADOs... We worked with GSD&M and won every commercial award given out for many years. I had a Clio when you actually had to WIN one and I cut music videos before Willie's beard was gray. With a Mustang convertible I was tan and happy! But then the owner of the company thought CMX was dead, can you say Paltex?

So that brings me to Dallas, If there was a Camelot of Post-Production, it was TeleImage. D1, D2, 3D... big rooms, lots of decks, catered lunches and a staff masseuse! Working 9-5 and loving life! But, then some guy in Tewksbury screwed it all up figuring he could save the client money by doing an OFFLINE! Suddenly, I was conforming EDLs and I saw the writing on the wall.

Almost 20 years ago I cut my first spot on Avid. Since then I have always worked with Avid systems. I have managed studios, supervised post of network shows, produced movie trailers and cut spots. I have changed history, made companies millions and entertained audiences everywhere. And I have made a nice living doing it. By the way, this is not me bragging, it is just the power of the Video Medium I am lucky enough to work in. I am just riding the coat tails and most days it beats being a roofer in Texas in July.

I bought my first system in 2001 and delivered my first show the morning of September 11th.

I have 3 systems now. I like the power of my Symphony, but I really like the freedom opening my laptop and editing on the road. This industry has come so far in 30 years, we can only imagine!

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Fast Times at Viewmont High