The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

It’s happening! Thursday May 10: The TXMPA Black and White 2012 Denim and Diamonds All Industry PARTY. Why is this exciting? Because The Texas Motion Picture Alliance has done in a few short years something the production business in Texas has needed for a LONG time: They’ve built an enthusiasm for television and film production in the state AND a REAL voice in Austin at the state legislature. All the Party details>> READ ON>> Read more…

Not convinced social media matters? Watch ANY news program on television, from CNN to Fox to MSNBC – EVERY SINGLE ONE now will bombard you with invitations to connect on Facebook AND Twitter. Trust me, I have worked in television for more than twenty years. If social media wasn’t having a positive impact on their relationship with viewers, thereby driving up the value of advertising, THEY WOULDN’T BE DOING IT.

Repetitive messaging works with ALL MEDIA, whether we like it or not...

Having worked in “traditional” media (television) for more than 20 years, I have been astounded at the growth of social media and it’s impact on how we do business as freelance media professionals. It’s also apparent to me that many of my colleagues in television and music production are not taking part in this revolution, often because of a lack of understanding of how it all works.

Social media is about people sharing information and learning from each other, not directly pitching products.

READ ON and see 3 concise videos that lay out the basic concepts. >>> Read more…

It’s been a long time comin’… – David Crosby

Trace Relations - The Band, logo design by Clay Meyers, cdmgrafx

Greetings,
While I keep The Social Freelancer ™ updated on a variety of topics related to Music, Media, TV and Film, 99% of them NOT a self promotion, I hope you’ll indulge me here for 2 minutes (!) to show off a bit. This video is a new demo of our HD stock footage offerings from CityB-roll.com, edited to a short instrumental track from my band project Trace Relations ™. The song is an advance track from our upcoming debut studio CD release.
Check out the video and the MUSIC>> Read more…

Broadcast television as I have known it for the last 20+ years has changed. The business as we knew it is mostly gone.

“Money’s tight, times are hard, here’s your damn birthday card…”

Trace - Promo for Trace Relations CD ~ Photo by Stephan R. Lewis, all rights reserved

That’s a bit rude but it makes me laugh. I like the sentiment because it’s reality based. The fact is you might think you’re “special” but most times very few others do. I find that it pays to be original and re-invent yourself and what you do every ten years or so.

I am striving to re-invent myself business wise to being more active as a writer, producer, speaker, documentary filmmaker, vocalist and songwriter in addition to keeping the video production business going.

So What’s Up?
That doesn’t mean I am not working as a Director of Photography – I am. It is my primary source of revenue. I love shooting and producing for good clients who appreciate the skills I bring to the table for their video projects. But the long term business reality is that lower quality and cheaper rates are what syndicated TV shows and corporations are wanting and, in fact, demanding. There will only be downward pressure on day rates for freelance media professionals as I see it right now.
Why? Check out the rest of this post from The Social Freelancer ™>>> Read more…

Top 20 Signs you’ve been in television (or film production) business too long…

20. Your dining room is set up for 3-point lighting.
19. Your date says to pick her up in 45 minutes and you wonder if she meant drop-frame or non-drop-frame
18. You replaced your trusty hemostat with a lavaliere clip.
17. Your family videos are preceded by :30 bars and tone.
16. You run into a guy who says he’s gonna shoot the Governor and you remind him to get some good B-roll.
15. The photography on the 6:00 news makes you laugh.
Read more…

This is great news for Dallas production professionals in a tough economy. Hats off to Janis Burkland, Meg Gould and all at Dallas Film Commission, plus the astounding efforts of Texas Motion Picture Alliance in bringing production back to Texas.
Read more…