Why am I staring this blog?
OK so apparently I want need to be a blogger… of sorts.
First some quick background…
I am a producer of films, commercials, branded content and music videos, but most of my projects have a travel component and as such I specialize in being a travel producer. Like say a music video that needs to film on a beach or the desert. So you call me and I work out all of the logistics and make it happen.
If that sounds pretty cool, well it certainly can be! Its also a crap ton of work, but I love it. The only problem with being a video producer is that no one knows what projects you have produced.
There are no credits for commercials like there are in films. We don’t get our names in any descriptions on YouTube or a music video that plays on a music television channel like CMT or MTV. Despite all of the crazy hours we put into each video; the sacrifices, the miracles we pull off (with never enough budget it seems) no one knows who made it all happen outside of a few label or agency reps and the director.
So producers like myself are S.O.L. and as such that can make it difficult for us to get in front of other companies or directors who are needing a travel producer like me. I’m talking about getting more work, $$$$, you know so I can support my indie film habit.
Which brings me to blogging, vlogging and self promotion.
So here we are, the first post on a new site. This is where I tell you about more about myself and what you might learn from reading the articles and watching the videos I post.
I'm not necessarily a writer
Perhaps that’s not entirely true, I write, just not normally essays or blog articles.
Outside of the endless emails the job requires, I am usually writing story concepts, outlines, broad strokes and themes of films I WILL make.
The details, dialogue, the little nuances of writing characters in their own voices has not been my one of my strong suits. Not yet at least, or maybe it will never be one of my strong suits. I would love to build those skills but honestly that hasn’t been a priority for me. However, finding people with those skills already, utilizing their strengths, has been a far more efficient way to work for me, that’s the producer in me I guess.
What does a Producer like me do?
Didn’t I already answer this? Well… its kinda a lot of things but over the last 20 + years I have been a Freelance music video producer, feature film producer, short film producer, branded content producer and commercial producer.
Heck I even produced a live showcase once, complete with dancers! If we go far enough back I also used to promote concerts and even produced a music television program.
There is a good chance you have seen something I’ve produced though, like this music video I produced for Dylan Scott’s “My Girl”…
I’m no big shot or anything but I have worked with a lot of super talented people and lots of really cool film gear too like Red, Sony, Arri cameras, lenses and lights.
My geeky first love I guess. Once a gear head…
My background is in Photography, a skill I learned back in the ole film days while I was in college (the first time… or was it the 2nd?).
Since then I have learned a lot about lighting, composition and all of the technical stuff which has kept my interest in the tools and techniques we use on sets. Skills that carry over quite well to film production. I was able to take advantage of those photography skills, apply them by working multiple positions on film sets and continue to learn even more.
Outside of Line Producing, I’ve worked in a lot of departments:
- Production (Management, Coordination, etc)
- Camera Department
- Grip & Electric
- Art Department
- Post Production
- Locations
- Sound
- Casting
- And even FX Makeup
I’m told that makes me a bit of an anomaly among producers, as most producers have limited experience outside of the producer/production management career track.
I consider myself quite fortunate to have worked in so many different positions on set and off. Each of those experiences are an invaluable resource to each and every project I budget as a Line Producer and when working as an Assistant Director.
Additionally, those experiences make communicating with my department heads easier! Being able to not only recognize, but also anticipate the needs of each department, and then how best to utilize resources is crucial to creating an accurate budget and with scheduling. Increasingly more so as budgets keep falling.
Work in several departments before deciding your path in the film industry, especially if you want to produce!
We will go deeper into Film production and Photography. Not just cameras & gear, but also techniques, and even budgeting.
I will try to round up a few interviews with some of those super talented people I’ve worked with!
Sony Venice camera with Canon K35 primes and the Atomos Shogun monitor Recorder on set of Old Dominion “Hotel Key” music video.
I can go on, and if you have even met you know I will, I love sharing the knowledge and experiences and I have learned over the years (and still learning), relating to film and photography.
Check out the Behind the scenes series “A Producers Life”
As a Travel Producer... I travel a lot too, go figure.
About 50% of my work as a producer is as a “travel producer” on travel related projects that have taken me all over the United States to places like Fairbanks, Alaska and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and even France and Ireland! Travel producing is pretty demanding, adding even more to the stack of items and responsibilities that a producer already has on their plate. So we’ll explore travel not only from a filmmaking perspective but also on a personal level as a venturer.
I’ll share some of my personal adventures, discuss travel tips, and some great tools and hacks that I have found to make traveling less stressful and projects successful.
Which Brings me to…
Nomad life and Location Independence
When I first heard the term “Digital Nomad” I had to look it up:
- Nomad? Sounds like traveling, which I REALLY like to do!
- Work remotely? Not being cooped up in a cubicle. Can you say FREEDOM?
- Telecommunications technologies? Cell phones and the Internet, I mean nearly everyone has a cell phone, 67% of the world's population (that’s almost 5 billion people) and who doesn’t like the internet?
You can thank Al Gore! actually thank the U.S. Department of Defense for ARPANET and Tim Berners-Lee for the World Wide Web (the www in www.randomhartz.com).
Hmm, this was sounding really familiar, like how I produce nearly every project!
I had the realization that I have been a Digital Nomad since at least 2013!
Except instead of being a full time international Nomad, I had been working remotely as a domestic Nomad usually over 2-6 week intervals all through the year.
Check out Traveling with Kristin’s 13-reasons-why-you-may-be-a-digital-nomad-and-not-know-it
All you need is to have a cell phone with data and/or wifi and a laptop then you can too! Heck I produced the Chase Rice “Eyes on You” and the Old Dominion “Hotel Key” videos from a Mini Winnie (the one below) and hotel rooms while on a shoot in California!
The types of projects I produce have me working from my home office or wherever I am; on set, a production company office, or my hotel room when traveling for work or exploring. That’s anywhere from 60 – 85% of my projects, Pre Production & Wrap.
You can look for updates on my journey to becoming 100% location independent and resources and hacks I find along the way to help you do the same.
Becoming a Nomadic Travel Producer & Filmmaker: That's a wrap
My hope is that you can learn something from the posts and articles both on this website and my Youtube channel that you can use on your own journey. Whether that be Filmmaking, photography or even a more nomadic or location independent lifestyle.
If your looking for a producer for an upcoming Travel or Film project, head here to contact me.
Be sure to FOLLOW ALONG and let me know if you are interested in posts and videos about:
- Filmmaking: tools, tips, advice
- Filmmaking & Photography gear reviews
- Travel hacks, adventures, gear
- Photography and lighting
- Becoming more location independent, a digital nomad or the nomadic lifestyle
- Ways to reduce stress as a freelancer
- Going behind the scenes (BTS) on film, commercial and music video projects
- Producing, interviews, and resources
Check back often, or join my email list to be notified of new posts, videos or related news.
If you have any questions or topics you want to know more about leave a comment below or on one of my social links below!
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