People often ask me, “How did you get into the TV or video production business? Did you go to school for it?”

Yes I did. But that’s only part of the formula. My father repeatedly told me that I had to be better than the best at whatever I did.

I volunteered while in college, and worked on-air and behind the scenes as a producer. One opportunity led to another, and in 1998, I was offered a job in Tampa at WTVT, Fox 13 News.

I probably got the job in part because the news director in Tampa, knew the news director at the Washington D.C. station where I was working at the time. “They” say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, but it doesn’t end there.

The news business is demanding. You often have to move around. The hours can be down right brutal sometimes and unfair. If you want to work in TV news, get over it.

It’s called paying your dues, and the price can be high.

Watch video on YouTube.

I just ran across this great story from Lawrence Dortch. This guy’s been in the vlogging game longer than me, and he actually inspired me to get started back when I was working at Black Family Channel.

Larry’s site, TodayIFeelLike.com features a mix of tech, tutorials, and random adventures. I have to say, he is on his way to becoming a great storyteller. This is his latest project, “One Punch at a Time,” which shares the story of a young female boxer who has her sights set on the 2012 Olympics.

Larry shot, voiced, and edited the piece. It’s not only a great story, but he shot it like a pro.

What do you think?

Sometimes you don’t need any narration or sound bites. All you need is emotion, and a nice music track.

Read the back story here, and watch this piece of art in motion below.

Nice work John Ledbetter.

by Amani Channel
#snowatl #atlsnow

Even before it started coming down, people were preparing for the 2011 Atlanta snowpacalypse. I heard that the grocery stores were busy with people stocking up on water and supplies so I got on the bandwagon and headed to my local chain.

The scene reminded me of hurricane preps. Some people had gallons of water, the shelves were bare, and the lines were long.

Flakes started falling after dark, and I new that we weren’t going anywhere at least for Monday.

When I woke up, it was a white out. At least four inches fell in my neighborhood in NE Atlanta (I’m just outside the city near Smyrna).

What I thought was hail, was really freezing rain.

This morning I watched the local news coverage thinking about days passed. Though most of the stations are asking people to send in their photos and videos, very few are using very much UGC.

Twitter and Facebook is a bridge to a gold mine of content. Why not take advantage?

In a way, I miss not being out in the elements, but then again, I’m working from home today, looking at my neighborhood from the warmth of my home office.

by Amani Channel

Salim Channel shares a few rhymes. He never stops.

by Amani Channel
I’m loving technology. I’m in the Bay and my wife and son are in the A.

Devin’s taken pictures in the snow in years past, but he knows what it is this year.

It’s raining here, and snowing there.

Happy Holidays!

from Xtranormal