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CONCEPT TO COMPLETED PROJECT
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentRead More...I thought I’d add my two cents with the writers’ strike now behind us. Then, I thought, “Why would I write about something I have no first-hand knowledge of.” (It’s funny in today’s world; speaking about something you have no real insights on seems to be the norm.) However, I do get asked often, “What…
DISRUPTION… PICK A SIDE
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...In industry, there is something called “disruption.” Some companies go down because of disruption, and some companies thrive in disruption. It is called their AQ adaptability quotient. How well they adapt to disruption or change in their sector of an industry. Going back to normal will not happen. Normal is only relative to the present…
STORYTELLING ISN’T STORY CREATION…SOMETIMES!
Available OpportunitiesGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Story sounds like a simple word. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is incredibly complex. A complex story might be a feature film or a book series like The Hobbit or Harry Potter. A Broadway play or even Ted Talks are stories. Then again, it could be as simple as you relating a situation that happened…
Capturing 9/11 Historically
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...TOO LONG FOR A POST …BUT WORTH YOUR TIME With the passing of yet another 911 anniversary I am always drawn to the day and the flood of emotions it created. For all of us there is “a” moment. The moment we heard, saw or felt the horror. The moment we realized how fragile our…
Planning isn’t Doing
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...When you roll up your selves and start your struggle, people will see your struggle, and talented people will come to your aid. If you sit on your couch and plan your struggle no one is going to help. Help comes when someone can see your attempts. Not having the right resources whether its money,…
Stop with the Gen Profiling!
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Okay that’s enough generation profiling…from all gens to all gens.. I’m tired of hearing people talk about Gen Z’s bad social skills or the Millennials sense of entitlement. I am tired of hearing my generation talk about the industries future like “chicken little yelling about the sky is falling”. (Google it up if the reference went…
PRODUCTION LESSONS LEARNED FROM AN NFL TEAM
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Did you ever blow out the sound system at Carnegie Hall an hour before showtime? Did you ever Nova the lighting grid in the studio during a live broadcast? Have you ever wiped out all the drum tracks on a Steely Dan album before its release without backing it up? Did you ever pull the…
Advancing Careers Sitting on Road Cases
Making ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...I spent my entire career / life being part of a band, team, crew or department and never thought much about. That was until the events of the 2020 pandemic hit and forced all of us to stand down from working in person. It was after that that I understood the critical element needed…
Don’t Trap Your Career Growth
Getting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...You can get trapped limiting your growth even if you’re working at the highest level in your industry. At one point in my career I ended up working at ITT Defense as a QC engineer on the Shuttle missions and GPS satellite project (which at the time was a highly classified government satellite system). I…
MASTER GLASS BLOWING IN A WEEK!
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentRead More...MASTER GLASS BLOWING IN A WEEK! I was thinking I wanted to become a master glass blower. I set aside a week or two figuring that’s more than enough time. I watched a few videos on You Tube and it looked pretty easy. Well after several few weeks of burning my hands, wasting a lot…
Some People Think Being Creative is a Curse…Maybe?
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...If you’re interested in the entertainment production industry, I’m willing to share my 30plus years battling and succeeding in it. Sometimes being creative is not as awesome as other people think. Let me explain why that’s not true… Some people think being creative is a curse. I was one of those people. I had way too…
Musician, Inventor, Visionary, Entrepreneur
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Would you believe me if I told you I knew a guy who quit school at 16 and went to work in the Caltech Music Lab. At 18 was handpicked by Tom Oberheim, founder of a leading and pioneering synthesizer manufacture of the same name, Oberheim. This “kid” went on to help design Oberheim’s OBXa,…
I Want that Job Now…
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...I want that job NOW… Don’t sweat the WAIT… remember when you were little, driving with the family and asking a hundred times, “ARE WE THERE YET”. NO? How about waiting for your birthday or holiday and asking every day, “IS IT TODAY?”. Still not ringing a bell. I know you know this one, “when…
You Never Know Until You Ask
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...I’ve been at my career (life) for a long ass time. I’ve had some really amazing moments along the way. I’ve learned a ton. I developed an insane network of incredible people. At this point in my career you might say, “I made it”. Made it? Ummmm Yes, I’m proud of what I’ve done. I have even…
“DON’T EVER CHANGE” … WRONG!!!
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...The worst advice ever shared is, “Don’t ever change. You are prefect as you are”. Yea, I’m old but so will you be someday. BUT I’m still professionally relevant and have more work than I can handle. Why? I RECOGNIZE CHANGE, ADAPT TO THE CHANGE and “GO WITH THE FLOW”, as my daughter would say. …
INSTINCT, GUT FEELING, HUNCH
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...In day’s world most people have lost touch with their instincts or if they still hear that internal voice motivating and guiding them they find a million ways to deny its value. That’s unfortunate because it’s the sole human trait that we all possess naturally and it is the key to finding and fulfilling your…
Learning Production in 60 Seconds
Available OpportunitiesGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...THEM: “I learn everything I need to know on TikTok, You Tube or Insta” ME:“Why? THEM: “Oh that’s because I can multitask and have a short attention span so learn tons in 60 sec bites.” ME: “You know who else has a short attention span… the people that need to remember you after the gig.”…
Nerves Lead to Success
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Them: “When will I stop being nervous at the start of a gig?” Me: “NEVER!! And that’s a good thing.” Anatomy of pre show nerves When I started writing this post I was also in the middle of preparing for a gig at Carnegie Hall, NYC. My production company, Ferro Productions, was hired to capture a new…
WHAT CAME FIRST, THE TECH OR THE CREATIVE USE
Passion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Does tech drive creativity or does creativity drive the development of new tech? In the 70s creative artists turned a device for playing records, the turntable, into an instrument which became the center piece of a new genre of music. That creative use of old tech, tech that was originally developed to playback music from…
DO YOU. DON’T DO ME.
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentRead More...What’s right for me may not be right for you. This may very well be one of the most confusing writings I’ve done to date. Why? Because for the longest time I have been telling you to learn your craft, techniques, style, skills from others in the biz who are and have been successful. Now…
DIG DEEP TO FIND CAREER OPPORTUNIES
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentRead More...We all know the word, collaboration. We all agree collaboration yields the best projects/products. I have written and lectured a ton about finding backdoors into the industry to meet people to collaborate with and learn from. When you’re leaving a concert or theater play, stop by the sound, lighting video console, and congratulate them on…
Will the Real Storyteller Please Stand Up
Available OpportunitiesGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Lights, Camera, Action… Is that all it takes to bring a story to life? Some lights, a camera and go for it? As all of you in the biz know, that’s not even close to what it takes. For those in the biz, this article or post or whatever I’m supposed to call these writings,…
Finding the Production Entry Door
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentToo Young/Too OldRead More...Wanting to Get In to fulfill your dream of being in the production industry? Whether it’s, broadcast, music recording, live events and so much more. These are things you need to know. Production success is built on never quitting… Your journey to success is not going to be easy. Each step of the way will…
You Need Us…We Need You!
Making ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...Before I begin this week’s writing I want to extend my deepest condolences to Jeff Beck’s family, friends and dedicated fans. This week the music industry lost one of its’ most talented and innovative musicians. RIP Beck you will be missed. Many of the positive comments I have been getting on these blog posts come…
TOO YOUNG…TOO OLD
Expanding GrowthMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentToo Young/Too OldRead More...If you’ve been in the industry as long as I have, you have heard those phrases for years. And every time I hear them, I laugh. Based on that theory, your contribution to the industry is about an HOUR! The hour when you’re not considered young, and you’re not considered old. When you’re just starting…
Screw Up and Learn…Bravo!
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...“That’s it for me! I screwed that up BIG TIME!!” When you’re in the midst of a crisis, whether it’s a job that didn’t work out, a gig you screwed up, or even something you got blamed for that wasn’t your fault. Don’t dwell on the mess. Make a list of what you learned. The…
Creatives Come in all Shapes and Flavors…Are You One?
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Creative people come in all shapes and flavors. Accountants can be a creative. A doctor, a teacher and of course writers, painters, musicians etc. are all creative. Being a creative means you see and think about things differently. You see new ways of doing old things, henry ford for example took the horse and wagon and thought “automobile”. George Lucas saw the 1950’s western the…
HONORED? OR OVERLOOKED?
Passion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...“Receiving an award or individual recognition for a collaborative effort is unfair”. You would expect this statement to come from a person who has NOT received awards or recognition for their creative contributions. This time is coming from a person who HAS received many such awards and recognitions. During my career I have received five…
My Allegiance is Always to the Project
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentToo Young/Too OldRead More...Regardless of the project or what everyone else thinks of the project, I always try and bring my best. I approach the project with all my acquired skills and talents. Well… “Hurrah for me” haha. Not so fast. There is another side to this approach. I will never disrespect my clients and or bosses. But I never let…
CONCEPT TO COMPLETED PROJECT
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentRead More...I thought I’d add my two cents with the writers’ strike now behind us. Then, I thought, “Why would I write about something I have no first-hand knowledge of.” (It’s funny in today’s world; speaking about something you have no real insights on seems to be the norm.) However, I do get asked often, “What…
DISRUPTION… PICK A SIDE
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...In industry, there is something called “disruption.” Some companies go down because of disruption, and some companies thrive in disruption. It is called their AQ adaptability quotient. How well they adapt to disruption or change in their sector of an industry. Going back to normal will not happen. Normal is only relative to the present…
STORYTELLING ISN’T STORY CREATION…SOMETIMES!
Available OpportunitiesGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Story sounds like a simple word. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is incredibly complex. A complex story might be a feature film or a book series like The Hobbit or Harry Potter. A Broadway play or even Ted Talks are stories. Then again, it could be as simple as you relating a situation that happened…
Capturing 9/11 Historically
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...TOO LONG FOR A POST …BUT WORTH YOUR TIME With the passing of yet another 911 anniversary I am always drawn to the day and the flood of emotions it created. For all of us there is “a” moment. The moment we heard, saw or felt the horror. The moment we realized how fragile our…
Planning isn’t Doing
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...When you roll up your selves and start your struggle, people will see your struggle, and talented people will come to your aid. If you sit on your couch and plan your struggle no one is going to help. Help comes when someone can see your attempts. Not having the right resources whether its money,…
Stop with the Gen Profiling!
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Okay that’s enough generation profiling…from all gens to all gens.. I’m tired of hearing people talk about Gen Z’s bad social skills or the Millennials sense of entitlement. I am tired of hearing my generation talk about the industries future like “chicken little yelling about the sky is falling”. (Google it up if the reference went…
PRODUCTION LESSONS LEARNED FROM AN NFL TEAM
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Did you ever blow out the sound system at Carnegie Hall an hour before showtime? Did you ever Nova the lighting grid in the studio during a live broadcast? Have you ever wiped out all the drum tracks on a Steely Dan album before its release without backing it up? Did you ever pull the…
Advancing Careers Sitting on Road Cases
Making ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...I spent my entire career / life being part of a band, team, crew or department and never thought much about. That was until the events of the 2020 pandemic hit and forced all of us to stand down from working in person. It was after that that I understood the critical element needed…
Don’t Trap Your Career Growth
Getting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...You can get trapped limiting your growth even if you’re working at the highest level in your industry. At one point in my career I ended up working at ITT Defense as a QC engineer on the Shuttle missions and GPS satellite project (which at the time was a highly classified government satellite system). I…
MASTER GLASS BLOWING IN A WEEK!
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentRead More...MASTER GLASS BLOWING IN A WEEK! I was thinking I wanted to become a master glass blower. I set aside a week or two figuring that’s more than enough time. I watched a few videos on You Tube and it looked pretty easy. Well after several few weeks of burning my hands, wasting a lot…
Some People Think Being Creative is a Curse…Maybe?
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...If you’re interested in the entertainment production industry, I’m willing to share my 30plus years battling and succeeding in it. Sometimes being creative is not as awesome as other people think. Let me explain why that’s not true… Some people think being creative is a curse. I was one of those people. I had way too…
Musician, Inventor, Visionary, Entrepreneur
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Would you believe me if I told you I knew a guy who quit school at 16 and went to work in the Caltech Music Lab. At 18 was handpicked by Tom Oberheim, founder of a leading and pioneering synthesizer manufacture of the same name, Oberheim. This “kid” went on to help design Oberheim’s OBXa,…
I Want that Job Now…
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...I want that job NOW… Don’t sweat the WAIT… remember when you were little, driving with the family and asking a hundred times, “ARE WE THERE YET”. NO? How about waiting for your birthday or holiday and asking every day, “IS IT TODAY?”. Still not ringing a bell. I know you know this one, “when…
You Never Know Until You Ask
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...I’ve been at my career (life) for a long ass time. I’ve had some really amazing moments along the way. I’ve learned a ton. I developed an insane network of incredible people. At this point in my career you might say, “I made it”. Made it? Ummmm Yes, I’m proud of what I’ve done. I have even…
“DON’T EVER CHANGE” … WRONG!!!
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...The worst advice ever shared is, “Don’t ever change. You are prefect as you are”. Yea, I’m old but so will you be someday. BUT I’m still professionally relevant and have more work than I can handle. Why? I RECOGNIZE CHANGE, ADAPT TO THE CHANGE and “GO WITH THE FLOW”, as my daughter would say. …
INSTINCT, GUT FEELING, HUNCH
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...In day’s world most people have lost touch with their instincts or if they still hear that internal voice motivating and guiding them they find a million ways to deny its value. That’s unfortunate because it’s the sole human trait that we all possess naturally and it is the key to finding and fulfilling your…
Learning Production in 60 Seconds
Available OpportunitiesGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...THEM: “I learn everything I need to know on TikTok, You Tube or Insta” ME:“Why? THEM: “Oh that’s because I can multitask and have a short attention span so learn tons in 60 sec bites.” ME: “You know who else has a short attention span… the people that need to remember you after the gig.”…
Nerves Lead to Success
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Them: “When will I stop being nervous at the start of a gig?” Me: “NEVER!! And that’s a good thing.” Anatomy of pre show nerves When I started writing this post I was also in the middle of preparing for a gig at Carnegie Hall, NYC. My production company, Ferro Productions, was hired to capture a new…
WHAT CAME FIRST, THE TECH OR THE CREATIVE USE
Passion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Does tech drive creativity or does creativity drive the development of new tech? In the 70s creative artists turned a device for playing records, the turntable, into an instrument which became the center piece of a new genre of music. That creative use of old tech, tech that was originally developed to playback music from…
DO YOU. DON’T DO ME.
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentRead More...What’s right for me may not be right for you. This may very well be one of the most confusing writings I’ve done to date. Why? Because for the longest time I have been telling you to learn your craft, techniques, style, skills from others in the biz who are and have been successful. Now…
DIG DEEP TO FIND CAREER OPPORTUNIES
Available OpportunitiesExpanding GrowthGetting InMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentRead More...We all know the word, collaboration. We all agree collaboration yields the best projects/products. I have written and lectured a ton about finding backdoors into the industry to meet people to collaborate with and learn from. When you’re leaving a concert or theater play, stop by the sound, lighting video console, and congratulate them on…
Will the Real Storyteller Please Stand Up
Available OpportunitiesGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Lights, Camera, Action… Is that all it takes to bring a story to life? Some lights, a camera and go for it? As all of you in the biz know, that’s not even close to what it takes. For those in the biz, this article or post or whatever I’m supposed to call these writings,…
Finding the Production Entry Door
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentToo Young/Too OldRead More...Wanting to Get In to fulfill your dream of being in the production industry? Whether it’s, broadcast, music recording, live events and so much more. These are things you need to know. Production success is built on never quitting… Your journey to success is not going to be easy. Each step of the way will…
You Need Us…We Need You!
Making ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsToo Young/Too OldRead More...Before I begin this week’s writing I want to extend my deepest condolences to Jeff Beck’s family, friends and dedicated fans. This week the music industry lost one of its’ most talented and innovative musicians. RIP Beck you will be missed. Many of the positive comments I have been getting on these blog posts come…
TOO YOUNG…TOO OLD
Expanding GrowthMaking ConnectionsPassion vs. TalentToo Young/Too OldRead More...If you’ve been in the industry as long as I have, you have heard those phrases for years. And every time I hear them, I laugh. Based on that theory, your contribution to the industry is about an HOUR! The hour when you’re not considered young, and you’re not considered old. When you’re just starting…
Screw Up and Learn…Bravo!
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...“That’s it for me! I screwed that up BIG TIME!!” When you’re in the midst of a crisis, whether it’s a job that didn’t work out, a gig you screwed up, or even something you got blamed for that wasn’t your fault. Don’t dwell on the mess. Make a list of what you learned. The…
Creatives Come in all Shapes and Flavors…Are You One?
Expanding GrowthPassion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...Creative people come in all shapes and flavors. Accountants can be a creative. A doctor, a teacher and of course writers, painters, musicians etc. are all creative. Being a creative means you see and think about things differently. You see new ways of doing old things, henry ford for example took the horse and wagon and thought “automobile”. George Lucas saw the 1950’s western the…
HONORED? OR OVERLOOKED?
Passion vs. TalentTalents & SkillsRead More...“Receiving an award or individual recognition for a collaborative effort is unfair”. You would expect this statement to come from a person who has NOT received awards or recognition for their creative contributions. This time is coming from a person who HAS received many such awards and recognitions. During my career I have received five…
My Allegiance is Always to the Project
Expanding GrowthGetting InPassion vs. TalentToo Young/Too OldRead More...Regardless of the project or what everyone else thinks of the project, I always try and bring my best. I approach the project with all my acquired skills and talents. Well… “Hurrah for me” haha. Not so fast. There is another side to this approach. I will never disrespect my clients and or bosses. But I never let…