3D?

Is it fab or fad? Are the glasses the poison dart or the accessory of necessity? By now, all but the Amish have seen the latest iteration of 3D. People want to check out the newest technology that everyone is talking about, but does it have staying power? No. 3D will always be a niche market for 2 or three movies a year. While producers want to incorporate 3D into their movie it’s simply too distracting for the viewer. The last time I saw a 3D movie in the theater I kept wondering when the next character or prop was going to be thrown at me and I pulled myself out of the story over and over again. Movies are simple, just tell a compelling story. Did you ever think Schindler's List was good but if only it were in 3D. Some stories don’t need color and what’s more some stories don’t even need dialogue. What is the only hope for 3D? The NFL and Sports Center. I would put on glasses for 15 minutes of NFL highlights to see a bullet pass fly at me or a John Elway style helicopter touchdown, but that’s about it. I can’t even foresee beer chugging manly men with the silly glasses especially since Bud Light has decided to not air their commercials in 3D due to the injuries during testing.
The only hope 3D has is to lose the glasses and give the viewer the option to turn it off and on like Closed Captioning. Until that happens we should all push for more and better resolution which will give us the realism that 3D tries to mimic.

Jason Troyer
Denver, CO

The Social Network

As the axiom goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. This is as true in broadcasting as anywhere else. I worked for a video production house once where the father was the owner, one son was the lead editor, one son (while not drinking) was a half conscious videographer, and the really bad son was the dub monkey at night. Only the editor truly belonged there but the owner put his business at risk by draining his finances (payroll) and not presenting professionalism to his clients. Even given that example the saying is not always bad. My dad taught me that if you show up on time and you work while at work you’ll be ahead of 80% of your coworkers. While that formula may not get you a six-figure salary right away, but someone will notice. Every day at work you’re involved in the social network, you interview over and over for that job and for a promotion. Only about 12% of jobs are actually posted anywhere meaning you have a better chance finding a connection on Eharmony than you do on Monster.

So if you’re not happy where you’re at the answer isn’t raining down resumes like a ticker tape parade its meeting people in your field and getting to know their business and letting them get to know you. If you want to soar like an eagle you can’t hang out with turkeys.

Jason Troyer
Denver, CO

Mr Cool

We all know Waz was the technical brains behind the Mac and Mr. Cool was the marketing powerhouse. But why? While he was there they always went a different way. Not choosing a techy name for the company was only the beginning. While Bill picked Microsoft Mr. Cool chose his favorite fruit, a Macintosh Apple. Even to the end Mr. Cool wasn’t really focused on beating the techs on price or power he sold the experience. In the ad “We believe” for the ipad, that no one asked for but now everyone needs, the philosophy is simple, Magic.
So if you’re a wedding videographer don’t sell your camera or jib arm in your demo, sell love, if your client is a furniture store sell the perfect family on the couch, and lest we not forget the classic sell the sizzle not the steak.

Jason Troyer
Denver, CO