I’m taking a quick break from my self-imposed blogging and social media sabbatical for an important cause. I feel at peace breaking my sabbatical for this because it has nothing to do with a project I’m producing and I have no financial or marketing benefit whatsoever. But a friend, colleague, and one of the most talented filmmakers I personally know, Brandon McCormick of Whitestone Motion Pictures, is spearheading a most unique film project. It’s called “The Candy Shop” and it’s a fairytale metaphor about the sex trafficking of under-aged girls. This is a topic that as of late has really been close to my heart, so I am happy to help promote Whitestone’s film. This film will be a major initiative to help support Street Grace. But enough of my babbling. Watch the video below.
For the past year and a half I have been going through what I call a transitional phase. On top of adjusting to a completely new life in Atlanta, we’ve worked hard to re-build our business from scratch, all the while starting a new photography business, Teen Identity. I also co-authored a book with my wife, spoke at over half a dozen seminars/conventions/expos, been on Film Fellas, the DV Show, ended one podcast, started another, and helped start a national movement. People are always commenting, “How do you do it Ron? Are there five of you?” No. Unfortunately, there are not. And it’s starting to take it’s toll.
I’ve been doing a lot of deep thinking about life, liberty, and the pursuit of dreams. One of my dreams has been to be a filmmaker. I’ve achieved that dream…to an extent. But the dream of dreams is to be the kind of filmmaker that makes films that change the world. Impact thousands, if not millions of lives. Those who follow my various social media and teaching venues know that since last summer I’ve been on a quest to return to my roots as a filmmaker. I’ve also had a strong desire to do more cause-driven and inspirational films, particularly for non-profits who often can’t afford our typical rates.
I also want to go on more date nights with my beautiful wife; have more energy when I play with my son; exercise more; eat better; go to the gym; take up ballroom dancing again; be more involved with my church; and I want to write and make films (MY films).
So, when I put all this together and take a long, hard look at my path, the words of Andy Stanley ring in my ears, “It’s your direction, not your intention, that determines your destination.”
Taking a Social Media Sabbatical
Again, if you know me, you probably did a large gasp as you read that sub-title. I am the poster-child for social media and networking. But it’s true. I’m making some hard choices in life right now with how I spend my time. I genuinely feel like God is saying, “Ron, I have something different in store for you, and right now, what you’re doing ain’t it. Trust me and let go.” So. I’m letting go.
I’ll be doing little to no tweeting Facebooking, blogging, podcasting, or even marketing in general. What I’m doing is a huge leap of faith…literally. I have no idea what God has in store. But you know what. If feels good.
We’re still taking client inquiries, but they will most likely be on a more selective basis. Send inquiries to service {at} daredreamer {dot} net. I’m not sure when I’ll return, or how it will look when/if I do. But if you subscribe to this blog, or follow me on Twitter, you’ll be one of the first to know.
I’ll most likely post any new videos to just to my Vimeo and/or YouTube channel, so check there if you want to keep updated on any new projects I post.
Until we meet again in the social media Facebook-Twitterverse, remember the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”
Yesterday I heard a great quote: “The path to perfection only leads to procrastination.” Wow! There’s a lot of truth in that. As artists it can be so easy for us to not do ANYTHING because we’re waiting to have just the right tools and toys; or just the right crew; or just the right [insert-you-favorite-excuse-for-not-doing-something-you-need-to-do here]. For example, reading the RedUser.net boards, I saw a lot of filmmakers holding out on the Epic or the Scarlet before starting whatever film project they’ve been waiting to do. (They’re still going to be waiting). I love the post that Stu Maschwitz wrote when the Canon T2i/550 was announced. With a list price of $799 (or a 3-day rental price of just $62) there are no more excuses for not going out and making films!
I Gotta Have It!
But lately as a filmmaker I’ve been convicted that we can’t wait for all the stars to align before getting our butts in gear. We gots to do it NOW! I’ve started re-reading a book a read a loooooong time ago, “Spike Lee’s Gotta Have It.” It’s his personal journal leading up to the making of his break-out feature film debut She’s Gotta Have It. (note: this book is easily rated “R” given the colorful language Spike uses as well as the content of the film. Not for kids!) In reading it a common theme is that you can’t wait for everything to be just right. You can’t rely on anyone one “hero” (whether it be an investor or the perfect DP). You need to go out and get your business handled. Ya dig!
Ken Burns’ Lasting “Effect”
I was also reading an article about Ken Burns in Success Magazine last week on my date night. Ken talked about the first big documentary he shot in 1982 about the Brooklyn Bridge. While raising money for it, for every “yes” he got 150 “no’s.” But he persevered. The doc went on to earn an Academy Award nomination and was featured on PBS. Now a major “effect” is named after him and he’s forever immortalized in iMovie.
So, what is it that YOU’RE procrastinating on? For me, it’s writing. I started to get back to writing scripts, but then I floundered. But lately I’ve been inspired by my wife Tasra again based on this blog post. She talks about getting near the end of her 365-day photography challenge and adding yet another personal challenge. She gives 7 great steps for anyone to go out and persevere. One of the tips is to “find a buddy and accountability.” In almost any great endeavor, accountability will play a key factor. You need someone who can hold you accountable to deadlines, promises, to provide encouragement, etc.
Hold Me Accountable
So, I’ve decided I need to get back to writing. There are a few short film ideas I’ve been talking about for months, and I’m only about 3 pages into writing one of them. That’s unacceptable. So, I’m about to break back into my online screenwriting account on Scripped, and dig back in. Will you please hold me accountable? Every now and then, tweet me about how the script is coming along. When appropriate, I’ll write about the experience here.
Okay folks. Let’s stop waiting for Jupiter to align with Mars and get our groove on! Who’s with me?
Robert Rodriguez shooting with a Canon 7D and Zacuto rig. Image copyright D2Visions.
There’s no doubt that the HD DSLR craze is more than just a “phase.” Everyone from mom and pop wedding videographers to major Hollywood studios have embraced HD DSLRs in their productions. The reason is obvious. The imagery you get from these cameras is freaking gorgeous. The other factor is the cost. The amount of money you had to spend just a few years ago to get equivalent looking video was many times now what you need to spend. (Canon’s T2i/550D list for just $799 at B&H).
But I must admit, it’s gotten to a point where you can peg a DSLR film in the first few moments (as opposed to one shot on a Red or other popular format, like, oh, film). That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just interesting.
So, if you’re new to DSLR filmmaking, here are some clues to help you know if you’re watching an HD DSLR film (a la Jeff Foxworthy)…
You MIGHT be watching an HD DSLR film if…every medium shot is completely out of focus except just the eyes, noses and mouths.
You MIGHT be watching an HD DSLR film if…every other long shot is shot with a tilt-shift lens.
You MIGHT be watching an HD DSLR film if…the whole thing is cinema verite style with focus going in and out like the focus pullers were drunk or something.
You MIGHT be watching an HD DSLR film if…there’s a timelaspe thrown in the middle of the film for absolutely no apparent reason.
You MIGHT be watching an HD DSLR film if…it’s color graded to look like it was shot on 70’s vintage film.
And, you MIGHT be watching an HD DSLR film if…the full title of the film is The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Shot on My Canon 7D with a Zeiss 35mm T1.4 PL Mount Lens and the Zacuto Mission Impossible ZX DSLR Cage* on the Cinevate Titan 2000*. (whew!)
Come on. You know it’s true. And I confess I’ve been guilty of going a tad too far sometimes with exploring the possibilities of these cameras. We’re like kids in a candy store: all this incredible shallow DoF, high dynamic range, lens choice, etc. Sometimes you can’t help yourself.
But let us not forget that these are all tools to help us tell stories. If a particular lens choice or use of DoF doesn’t help propel the story in some way, but is just thrown in there because you can, then you risk the chance of drawing attention to the shot, instead of the story. Ergo, the DSLR film “look.”
Good Looks
Again, there’s nothing wrong with that in and of itself I suppose. But I think one can have their work become less unique if it starts getting that distinct DSLR look. Now, I know what you’re thinking “Every great director develops a certain look.” Yes, you’re right. Guillermo del Toro, the Cohen Bros., P.T. Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock; I could go on and on. But these are all directors who created signature looks that were/are characterized by a combination of factors: stock choice, cinematography, set design, and not the least of which, the script itself. A Cohen brothers film is a Cohen brothers film because of everything they put into it. And more importantly, no other film LOOKS like a Cohen brothers film; and if one does, people will say, “Oh, that looks like a Cohen brothers film.”
The DSLR “look” I’m talking about is a generic, across the board look that is unique to no one. Everybody’s doing it. And that is where it can become problematic.
So, as you venture forth into the world of DSLR filmmaking, start thinking about what will set your work apart from the thousands of other DSLR filmmakers out there. Take a stand to be unique. Go against the grain (pun intended). Dare to be different. Go “Citizen Kane” and use a bunch of DEEP focus shots. Mix it up a little.
What do you think?
(*There is no such thing as a Zacuto Mission Impossible ZX DSLR Cage or a Cinevate Titan 2000.)
Well, it’s the moment you all have been waiting for. The official release of “The Art and Business of DSLR Filmmaking” webinar recording. This a QuickTime video recording of the 2-part live webinar I did on the DV Show. It’s designed for those of you who are new to DSLR filmmaking or are considering getting into it. One thing that I think sets it apart from other courses is that in part 2, I go into details about business-related strategies for getting into DSLR filmmaking (e.g. renting vs. buying, marketing, pricing, etc.) You can read the full product description on my training page (same link at top of blog that says “Training & Education”).
The list price of the recording is $79. But, for a limited time, I have an introductory price of just $59.95! As with all my products, there’s a 100% money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the recording and all the great discounts (see below), you can contact me for a full refund. That’s practically unheard of for a digital download product.
If you’re ready to buy, click here. Need more convincing? Then read on.
AMAZING SAVINGS FROM AMAZING SPONSORS
I reached out to some friends and colleagues in the industry to see if they’d be willing to help you budding filmmakers out with great discounts and deals on their products. With your purchase of the webinar recording, you get everything below. (Discount codes will be e-mailed to you after receipt of your purchase confirmation).
Cinevate’s DSLR Uno: one of the clear leaders in creating gear and resources for the DSLR filmmaker is Cinevate. Their latest entry into the DSLR filmmaking game is the Uno. Designed with the event filmmaker in mind, the DSLR Uno is perfect for run and gun shooting when you need rock-solid steady shots. And since it’s based on Cinevate’s carbon rail modular system, you can configure it anyway you like. Save 10% on you purchase of the Uno when you buy the webinar. (Offer good until September 1, 2010).
JAG35 DSLR Rigs: Jag35 has built a reputation of creating great products at an affordable price. Save 10% on your purchase of their DSLR shoulder rig or DSLR cage when you buy the webinar. This one savings alone will pay for the webinar!
DP Slider: I love my DP Slider. If you want to take your productions up a notch, a dolly-like system like the DP Slider is a great way to do that. They have sized ranging from 19″ to 48″. Get $50 off your DP Slider purchase when you get the webinar. Discount lasts until July 18.
Tiffen Dfx V2 Software: Tiffen (the makers of Stedicam) also make great post production color grading software. With over 1,000 filters, you’ll be able to raise the look of your productions to a whole new level. Save 20% off your purchase when you get the webinar.
MST Productions Blu-ray and DVD Authoring: I’ve been using MST Productions for a few years now whenever I need top of the line, high quality DVD production. Their printed disc quality is superb and they have exceptional customer service.Save big with a 25% discount on your first order of Blu-ray Disc or DVD duplication or blank printed discs at MST Productions. No minimum orders, fast turn-times, direct-to-disc thermal printing, personal service, affordable prices and your satisfaction guaranteed! Get 25% off your first DVD or Blu-ray disc authoring job when you buy the webinar.
Precomposed High Def Bluray Menu Templates: my good buddy Ray Roman first told me about these guys. They create amazing Blu-ray disc menu templates. Really top notch stuff. Save 15% on your purchase of a template when you get my webinar.
Precomposed Blu-ray Authoring Services: Precomposed can also do Blu-ray authoring for you at an amazing price. Get $50 off your first Blu-ray authoring job when you buy the webinar.
Triple Scoop Music: these guys are leaders in providing great sounding lyrical and instrumental-only music that can be used legally in your video productions. They have a library of over 5,000 songs, many of which by Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists. Get a 15% discount off your purchase of a TSM song when you get the webinar. (Discount only good until July 30).
DSLR and Video Business Coaching: at the end of part 2, I have a special discount offer for DV Show listeners. If you contact before the end of June to book a coaching session, I will extend those special coaching rates to you (up to a $100 savings!). In addition to the traditional video business topics, I’ll coach you through your own DSLR filmmaking endeavors (e.g. picking lenses, dealing with post production, etc.) There’s only so much that can be covered in even a three hour video. Coaching can help round out the edges and get you ahead of the pack.
If you were to take advantage of all these discounts, you would pay for the webinar more than EIGHT TIMES OVER. Heck, even if you’re a pro at DSLR filmmaking and don’t need the education, it’s worth the purchase just to get the discounts!
Now are you ready to buy? Click here. Still not quite sure? Then how about this?
Enter Drawing to Win One of Two Great iPhone/iPad Apps for Filmmakers
As if over $350 in savings wasn’t good enough, if you purchase the webinar before June 3o, 2010, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win one of two great iPhone Apps:
DSLR Slate by Last Shot Apps: I first heard about this awesome product at Vincent Laforet’s blog. It’s a fully functional movie slate. You can record timecode, production info (e.g. Director, Producer, DP, Scene number, etc.), frame rate, color chart, and even non-traditional slate info like ISO, shutter speed, and other DSLR settings. Three winners will be drawn for this app.
Storyboard Composer by Cinemek: this handy iPhone app allows you to created amazing looking Storyboards on your iPhone using the camera feature. It’s incredible what this baby can do. Three more lucky winners will be drawn for this app.
If you’re doing your math, that’s six chances to win one of these awesome iPhone/iPad apps. You must make your webinar purchase in the first week to be entered into the drawing.
So, what are you waiting for. It’s time to make your cinematic opus. Use the button below to purchase your digital download of “The Art & Business of DSLR Filmmaking.” (100% money back guarantee).
If you have a slow internet connection and would prefer to have the files mailed to you, you can purchase a CD of the webinar recording for $10 more (shipping included). If you decide on the MBG for the CD, you must return at your own expense. A $10 restocking fee will apply for returned CDs. Click here to purchase CD.
How jazzed was I when I got an e-mail from David Jay’s team ShowIt to be a speaker on his 9-city Freedom Tour. That’s like for cool, young and hipster photogs. I’m just a “not as young” up-and-coming-filmmaker trying to make a buck. (But I LOOK young, don’t I?) Okay, maybe I’m over-doing the humility thing a bit, but I was very honored to be asked to join the likes of Jasmine Star, Jessica Claire, Zach and Jody Gray, Promise Tangeman (yes, her name is really Promise), the Boudoir Divas, and Mr. Jay himself.
Besides personalized training on ShowIt Sites, each city will feature three speakers. I’ll be joining the team in Austin, TX next Wednesday, June 23. Then in my own neck of the woods, Hot-lanta, GA on Friday, the 25th. If you’re in driving distance to either one of those cities, I hope you come out. (I know a lot of my fellow videogs are near Austin, so come support a brutha!)
I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to talk about. I’ll most likely do my “So You Think You Can Dance” audition performance. (And if for a moment you actually believed that, I have a bridge in New York I’d like to sell you). I hope to see you there. You can get the skinny on the whole tour at tour.showitfast.com.
Thanks again to those of you who checked out the DV Show live webinar I did the past two Sundays. The topic was “The Art & Business of DSLR Filmmaking” and the response from attendees was so wonderful. I have in my possession all the video, audio and PDF files for purchase and they will officially go live this Sunday, June 20 at 12 am midnight (i.e. early Monday morning). You can read the details of the course in my Training link at the top of this blog. We covered everything from lens and gear selection to effective use of bokeh to determining when you should rent vs. buy. Over three hours of info, including Q&A.
The list price will be $79, but I’m sure to have some kind of short-lived introductory price. However, if you know for sure you’ll want this course, I have a pre-order price of only $49.95. The best part is that no matter when you buy it, I have a 30 day 100% money back guarantee. That’s right. A money back guarantee on a digital product. If you’re not satisfied with all the info, you’ll be able to e-mail me for a full refund.
KICKING IT UP A NOTCH WITH GREAT SPONSORS
To make the offer a tad more juicy, I’ve made deals with over half a dozen sponsors who will offer literally hundreds of dollars in discounts on their products for purchasers of the webinar recording. So not only will you have over 3 hours of inspiring and educational material (including MP3 you can listen to on the go and PDFs of my Keynote presentations), but you”ll have an opportunity to get complementary products to go with your DSLR filmmaking. All the sponsors will be announced Monday. So stay tuned.
This past Sunday I was honored to present part 1 of a 2-part course on DSLR filmmaking. It was hosted by The DV Show, one of the most popular websites and podcasts on the topic of video production. The course title is The Art and Business of DSLR Filmmaking. Brian Alves (the host) reported there were over 500 live viewers. Thanks to each and every one of your for spending 90 minutes of your Sunday night with little ol’ me.
I hope you’re ready for round two, because I’m going to talk about stuff that you never (or seldom) hear DSLR filmmaker instructors talk about. (At least I never have). Last Sunday was the art. This coming Sunday, June 13 at 8 pm EST, I’ll be presenting part 2, the business. If you watch it live, the course is FREE.
In this Sunday’s course, I want to address the issue of how one can go about incorporating these tools into their business, but in a way that is wise from a business perspective. Yes, we all know these camera take beautiful video, but should you go out and plunk down 5, 10, or $20,000 in new gear, hardware, and software? Should you raise your prices? How do you communicate to your clients about your new “look” and why they should care? We’ll cover these and many more topics:
Rent vs. own and when it’s best to do each
How to market the new tech to your clients in a way that makes sense (benefit vs. features)
Pricing: the added workflow (from production to post) means that you shouldn’t charge the same amount for an HD DSLR shoot than you do for a SD shoot. Even a regular HD shoot. Depending on the project, you may need a bigger crew, which means more money needed. Also, you’ll definitely need more processing power and time, so post production should be more too.
Photography and Video: should you offer both? If so, how?
Hollywood is getting into the game too. What that means for you.
As I did Sunday, I’ll make time for Q&A afterward. Also, since it seemed like people got such a kick out of watching the video I showed, this week I’ll show part 1 of that film series, tying it into the business lesson, of course. It’s sure to be loads of fun. (And I promise not to do any rocking this week.
DISCOUNT ON MY HOW TO PRICE YOUR SERVICES MP3
Also, if you’ve ever wondered how to go about pricing your services in general, you will want to take advantage of my DV Show special on my “How to Price Your Service: Power Pricing” audio mp3. It’s a 75-minute coaching call session that goes into detail on the topic. Sells for $29.95 on this blog, but if you visit the DV Show page with the DSLR filmmaking info, you’ll find a link that will lead you to a special $19.95 price. As usual, there’s a 100% money back guarantee.
I hope to see you there live. (Well, I guess I won’t “see” you, you’ll see me, but you get the idea.)
Attention all DSLR filmmakers, as well as photographers and videographers looking to get into DSLR filmmaking. This Sunday, June 6, at 8 pm EST, LIVE, I will be conducting a course on DSLR filmmaking called, “The Art and Business of DSLR Filmmaking.” I know there is no shortage of amazing resources on the web about shooting video with Canon’s line of DSLR cameras. One thing I think has been lacking from much of the discussion are practical strategies for small business photographers and videographers to adopt these tools. This course will be perfect for event filmmakers, photographers, or other small studios who don’t have the budgets to buy steadicams, jibs, dollies, HDMI monitors, or stocking up on lenses that cost three times the body of the camera. I’m excited to have The DV Show as the platform for the course. The course will be a two-parter, June 6 and 13.
The Art – June 6, 8 pm EST
Part I of the series will be on the creative side of DSLR filmmaking:
Story rules, it’s the talent not the tools!
Picking lenses for shooting on sticks, stabilizers, etc.
“Bokeh Bonkers”: many people love the DLSRs for their shallow DoF and beautiful bokeh. But, bokeh can (and often is) over used. When and how should you use bokeh and selective focus. (Citizen Kane is famous for it’s use of DEEP depth of field shots!)
Focus on focusing: focusing can be a pain with these cameras. How to nail focus.
Audio: shooting with HD DSLRs is ironically like going back to the days of feature film. Audio should be recorded to a separate device. Ways in which you can do that, and when are the times you might want to use the in-camera audio.
Transcoding: you can’t edit native files from the camera. They need to be transcoded. The two most popular “flavors” are XDCAM and Apple’s ProRes. What should you consider for each.
The art of storytelling
The mindset of the creative filmmaker
My favorite resources for inspiration
The Business – June 13, 8 pm EST
Rent vs. own and when it’s best to do each
How to market the new tech to your clients in a way that makes sense (benefit vs. features)
Pricing: the added workflow (from production to post) means that you shouldn’t charge the same amount for an HD DSLR shoot than you do for a SD shoot. Even a regular HD shoot. Depending on the project, you may need a bigger crew, which means more money needed. Also, you’ll definitely need more processing power and time, so post production should be more too.
Photography and Video: should you offer both? If so, how?
Hollywood is getting into the game too. What that means for you.
I will have a special discounted price of my “How to Price Your Services” mp3 (click the training link at the top of my blog for more info on this product). The discounted price link will only be available from the DV Show page starting this Sunday. So be sure to tune in!
I believe that one of the greatest evils on the face of God’s green earth is the exploitation and trafficking of children for sex. When I hear about the horrors that young girls (and some boys, too, by the way) go through in countries like Cambodia, Greece, India, etc., it makes me sick. Disgusted. It could give one a false sense of security to think, “Wow. I’m so glad I live in such a great country like the U.S. where such evils don’t exist.”
This country is great. And I’m proud to be an American. But, before we get too high and mighty, it might interest you to know that some of the most horrific statistics of Commercial Sex Exploitation of Children (aka CSEC) occur right here in the U.S! And I was further surprised (and horrified) to learn that one of the top cities in the U.S. for CSEC is my very own Atlanta, GA.
When you hear the numbers, they boggle the mind. You think to yourself, “How can that be? That can’t be right. They must have added an extra zero.” But, make no mistake. They are real. (e.g. 7,200 men are serviced by under-aged girls every MONTH in Georgia). These numbers are so real in fact that a group of non-denominational churches here in the Atlanta metro decided to band together and do something about.
Street GRACE (Galvanizing Resources Against Child Exploitation) started little over a year ago and has already grown by leaps and bounds. Over 30 churches have banned together and are partnering with other organizations to attack the problem in five key areas: awareness, prayer, mobilization, support, and restoration.
A Special Evening of Awareness, Prayer, and Engagement
On Friday, June 4, at 12 Stone Church (1322 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, GA), there will be a special evening to raise community awareness, pray, and provide opportunities to engage. Tasra and I have volunteered our creative services to contribute to this event. Working with our Teen Identity team of girls, Tasra did a 20-image photo series of the girls holding up signs that represent the “Voices of the Victims.” (The rest of the photos will go online over the next few days). All the photos will be displayed in one of the rooms of the event.
I worked with the girls to create a public service announcement video that will be played at the end of the worship part of the event. It is our hope that these can be used beyond the event to help continue the spread of awareness and action.
If you’re in the Atlanta metro area, I encourage you to come by. It is an “experiential” event that you walk through. There will be music, photography, singing, and opportunities to learn more about this issue. It shouldn’t take you more than a half hour or so to walk through. The event will be open from 5 pm to 9 pm. Get more info here.
“Numbers” – Sex Trafficking PSA
Here’s the PSA I made. It was such a fulfilling project. Special thanks to Liana Lehman-Hall for loaning me her equipment. And special thanks to the Teen Identity girls who braved the pouring rain to shoot the video and photos on our limited schedule.
If you’re a photographer, videographer, or filmmaker interested in helping us address more issues like this (ones that specifically affect teen girls), and if you want to help make a difference in the life of teen girls, join our Teen Identity Photographers Network. We’ll soon be sharing specific plans how you can get involved.
Ron Dawson is an accomplished screenwriter, director, award-winning video producer, speaker and author. He is the founder and president of Dare Dreamer Media, a boutique new media marketing agency and production company specializing in online marketing and viral videos. For the second consecutive year, he was named to the EventDV 25, one of the top [...]more →
For the past year and a half I have been going through what I call a transitional phase. On top of adjusting to a completely new life in Atlanta, we’ve worked hard to re-build our business from scratch, all the while starting a new photography business, 
Yesterday I heard a great quote: “The path to perfection only leads to procrastination.” Wow! There’s a lot of truth in that. As artists it can be so easy for us to not do ANYTHING because we’re waiting to have just the right tools and toys; or just the right crew; or just the right [insert-you-favorite-excuse-for-not-doing-something-you-need-to-do here]. For example, reading the
DP Slider
Thanks again to those of you who checked out the DV Show live webinar I did the past two Sundays. The topic was “The Art & Business of DSLR Filmmaking” and the response from attendees was so wonderful. I have in my possession all the video, audio and PDF files for purchase and they will officially go live this Sunday, June 20 at 12 am midnight (i.e. early Monday morning). You can read the details of the course in my Training link at the top of this blog. We covered everything from lens and gear selection to effective use of bokeh to determining when you should rent vs. buy. Over three hours of info, including Q&A.
I believe that one of the greatest evils on the face of God’s green earth is the exploitation and trafficking of children for sex. When I hear about the horrors that young girls (and some boys, too, by the way) go through in countries like Cambodia, Greece, India, etc., it makes me sick. Disgusted. It could give one a false sense of security to think, “Wow. I’m so glad I live in such a great country like the U.S. where such evils don’t exist.”
