Trace – TV – Film – Music – Media

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:

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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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“Skating away on the thin ice of the new day…” – Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull

Greetings Friends,
I have been working for some time to upgrade our blog site. Now I am excited to launch: TraceTV – Film – Music – Social Media at TraceTV.tv I hope you’ll visit soon.
At the start up, I am re-posting some of the most popular items from our previous wordpress.com blog, and I invite you to take a spin around the site, kick the tires and give me some feedback. It is definitely a work in progress.
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Originally posted on Feb. 16, 2009: The Aquarium Concept
If you like these ideas please follow The Aquarium Concept on Twitter
This dude has one awesome “real” aquarium >>

The Aquarium Concept.

Pretty sight, isn’t it? It’s not mine, in fact, I have never had success taking care of tropical fish. It’s just not my “thing”, even though I enjoy scenes like this. I do have an “aquarium” of sorts, but it has no glass, rock or water, only thoughts and dreams. My aquarium was a total mess for a long time, until I came to terms with this:

In order for things to flourish, they must have a good environment. This goes for people and fish and ideas too. You can have an aquarium, with some beautiful young fish but if you don’t take care of them (as I found out at age 10) soon algae grows in the tank, the fish start looking sickly, and then die off. Sounds simple, and it is, but looking at your life and your goals this way takes a little practice. It’s the same with ideas, projects, art, poetry, music, film, video, job search, family relations; whatever the passion, the aquarium concept holds true.
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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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Hats off to the Dallas Public Library for hosting Texas Music Mini-Conference with an amazing line up of speakers, authors, historians – all for FREE. We attended these sessions in Dallas recently. It was a very informative day, and we received some very positive feedback on the trailers for South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound and Dallas Electric: The Texas Blues Story.
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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

Let’s all wish Texas legendary performer Augie Meyers a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Update on Augie Meyers of Texas Tornados, Sir Douglas Quintet Fame:

As most of his fans surely know by now, Augie has been dealing with a failing kidney for years and was candidate for kidney transplant, but needed one prior to his birthday, today May, 31, 2010.

I am happy to report that through publicity of Augie’s plight, an anonymous donor stepped in and donated a kidney for Augie. He underwent surgery and is now in full recovery. Concert dates in support of new Texas Tornados CD “Esta Bueno!” were suspended for a time and the outpouring of support from their fans during this time has been incredibly uplifting for Augie.
Yesterday, on the eve of his seventieth birthday, Augie said “I didn’t know I had so many supporters. I’m still in awe about it all” When asked about his birthday, in true Augie style he quipped “It feels great to be 26!”

Now the Texas Tornados can resume their barnstorming of America with dates scheduled in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, California and New York this summer – See > Texas Tornados website for current concert information.
Texas Tornados > Facebook

Happy Birthday Augie!
If you’d like to send him a birthday message, please post comments below, I will make sure he sees them.

For those who may not know about Augie, or for the fans who want to know more, please take a few minutes to watch the following video – Preview of the documentary film “South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound”

This is a documentary in progress, and a labor of love for those involved. Funding is needed to be able to complete the full length film. We believe it is an important music history story to be told. If you would like to help, tax deductible donations to Still Kickin Foundation will go directly to support of this project. Thanks for watching.

Donations accepted now at >StillKickin.org

In this next clip, also from South Texas Soul project, Texas Tornados bandmate Shawn Sahm talks about Augie Meyers and the relationship between Augie and Shawn’s father, the late, great Doug Sahm >
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