South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound – Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm and the history and influence of South Texas on popular music of today. Documentary filmmaker Tracy Ready examines the influence of German, Polish and Irish immigrants in South Texas on popular music styles including Country, Tejano, Blues and Rock and Roll, from a unique perspective.
Welcome Back, Pluto!
Welcome Back, Pluto is an educational DVD written and produced to teach children and parents how to preserve good relationships in situations that threaten to undermine love and respect.
What’s it all about? Check out this promotional video for the DVD release:
“Have fun at the party but don’t be a jerk!”
Freelance Media Professional Tracy Ready discusses the analogy of social media for freelancers as going to series of parties and outlines the relationship between social networks, a blog and small business websites.
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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.
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Miss Marcy & her Texas SugarDaddys CD Release:
The stars are aligning in the muggy North Texas heat this week. Miss Marcy and her Texas SugarDaddys, a group of some of my favorite Dallas players are releasing new CD with a show at my favorite blues club in the world (and believe me I’ve been to a bunch) – PEARL in Dallas, Texas.
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“The Golden Hour” is an elusive time, one of God’s miracles that happens twice a day, whether we notice or not. Just after sunrise and just before dusk everyday the sun gets low in the sky, making the shadows long and deep, giving definition and a certain quality to the subject that has been sought out by visual artists for centuries. Prior to photography, painters would often set up their easels in these spots in the day, when the light is just right.
As a Director of Photography I, along with everyone else in my trade, am consistently urging clients who want to capture natural beauty of talent, or spectacular exterior scenes, to let us wait for “the golden light” either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. I never knew where the term “golden hour” came from, and still don’t know for sure, but I am a fan of famous quotes and was reading Bartlett’s Famous Quotations when I came across this:
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(Original post: December 31, 2008)
It’s New Years Eve, 2008; Wow! what an amazing year it’s been, through the tumultuous election process and downturn in economy, we are still hanging in here, and feel quite blessed to be at home with family today. Among other things, this has been a year in which I delved headlong into social networking, and it has been fun and rewarding for me both personally and professionally. I have gathered a few thoughts here, that I hope will benefit others, so here we go…
Connections are important, but content is powerful.
I was resistant to the social networking / blogging idea until I began to see the hidden potential for my businesses, and our developing music and documentary film projects.
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Please visit TexasB-roll and CityB-roll online today.
“It’s been a long time coming” – David Crosby
Yes it has! In 2002, we started offering stock footage of Texas for sale in broadcast quality standard definition formats. Now our stock footage is fleshed out in true HD (1080-24p) and we are excited about our Industry Sponsor status with Texas Motion Picture Alliance. We have dropped prices on our footage to be competitive in a tough economy, and are now donating $5.00 for every HD clip sold on our sites to TXMPA. Read more…
Austin, Texas
March 4, 2009
An overcast sky gave way to a beautiful day in Austin as hundreds of people in the moving image industries (film, video, gaming) converged on the Texas State Capitol showing support for legislation which, if passed, will help repair the severely damaged industry in our state. It was an eye-opening experience for me, a Director of Photography, as I spend most of my time working on small crew productions, with little interaction with others in my industry. So, to be on the steps of the Capitol with a nice crowd who all have similar interests helped me understand the scope of the industry and how each of us play a part in a vital economic engine of the state.
This is an important cause, which has ripple effects to a multitude of support businesses, including hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, and on and on. Statistics show that we have lost more than $500 million in revenue and more than 7000 jobs across the state in recent years. Why? Because other states, most notably Louisiana and New Mexico, instituted major tax incentives to lure big budget projects to their states, and it has worked. Many of our fellow Texans have had to move out of state or commute back and forth to these neighboring states in order to stay in business. Given our long history with film production in Texas, this is a crying shame.
See Films Shot in Texas since 1910
The Texas Motion Picture Alliance is a statewide grass roots organization that I am proud to be a part of, and it is only through their tireless efforts that this legislation exists and has a chance at reversing the trend of jobs and revenue related to moving image industries shifting to other states.
This is an effort which should concern ALL Texans, not just those of us working directly in the industry, because television, film and gaming production in the state brings more jobs in various related industries, and because we at one time were considered “the third coast” for film production, and we have seen it seep away. There are many projects where Texas would be the first choice for production, because of the great locations available, and well trained, well equipped crews, but we are losing out because of the incentives offered by our neighboring states, and others around the country. Once this business is completely gone, it will be hard to bring it back.
Please support HB 873 and SB 605. It’s important to all of us.
Get involved! Join Texas Motion Picture Alliance
Read the story from Associated Press
From Don Stokes, President of Texas Motion Picture Alliance:
“Our lobbying effort is a community affair. It will take the efforts of all of us in the industry to make the enhanced incentive program a reality. Lobby Day 2009 was a phenomenal success and certainly raised industry awareness among the legislators. It is my honor as President of TXMPA to be part of this immense team.
We participated in the initial hearing on HB 873 on Wednesday, March 4 during our Lobby Day efforts. The witnesses that spoke on our behalf did so passionately and from the heart. Their testimonies spoke to the problems facing our industry in Texas and to the solutions for bring the business back. The committee members listened and I believe understood our message. I think we will make it out of committee and look forward to the placement of our bill on the House Calendar. At this juncture I feel good about our legislation passing but I know there will be challenges ahead especially on the appropriation front.
I would like to thank everyone for their efforts. Without all of you we wouldn’t stand a chance.
Don Stokes
President TXMPA
From David Friedman:
“Throughout TXMPA Lobby Day 2009, it became evident that legislators from across Texas were gaining a better understanding of how the moving picture industry impacts the economy. Many legislators were already onboard; whereas, some legislators were early in their understanding. The force of everyone pulling in the same direction, starting with Governor Rick Perry and the 700+ constituents at the Capitol, was felt by all the legislators. It was hard to miss on the Senate floor, the House floor, and on the front lawn of the Capitol. It was a great day for the state of Texas and our economy will be better off for it. The bottom line; is, creating and retaining jobs in Texas. Our collective efforts on TXMPA Lobby Day 2009 contributed to the bottom line in a significant way. Many thanks to all who attended in person and to those that were there with us in spirit.”
David S. Friedman, TXMPA, North Texas Regional Representative
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Tracy Ready is an independent Writer / Producer / Director of Photography based in Dallas, Texas
See: www.tracetv.tv
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