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…

Like so many others with creative endeavors at hand, I am intrigued about Kickstarter and Indiegogo, the big leagues of “crowd funding” as ways to bring creative / entrepreneur visions to market in the real world.

What is Crowd Funding?
It’s the idea that a lot of unconnected people can contribute to funding a project, because of a common interest.

“I have an idea, and a solid plan to execute, but we can’t afford to make it happen. Would you be interested in helping?” – the essence of “crowd funding”

Platforms like KickStarter and Indiegogo are simply facilitating the process, allowing people with good ideas but few resources to reach a large audience.

Wikipedia defines it like this: Read more…

June 22, 2011 – Trace Relations Debut – For Immediate Release

In today’s San Antonio Express-News, Music Writer Jim Beal wrote this story about the project > The Music Beat: “Prosperity Street” beckons

A project 12 years in the making, Trace Relations sets to release their debut studio CD “Prosperity Street” on November 2, 2011.

Trace Relations - The Band

Debut tracks “Prosperity Street” (with music video) plus a Trace Relations original “Open Mind, Open Eye” were released June 15, 2011 and are available now at> Trace Relations official site.

The song “Prosperity Street” and the video feature the band and special guests Augie Meyers and San Antonio’s famed West Side Horns.

SEE VIDEO “Prosperity Street”, READ ON, GROOVE ON… Read more…

Wishing the great Augie Meyers a very happy birthday, today May 31, 2011.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Augie since I was fifteen years old (a long time ago…). He’s been a good friend and constant source of inspiration and motivation for me in music. Now, on his birthday (I won’t say which one), with Augie doing well after a kidney transplant last year and a tour with the Texas Tornados in the works, I give you this post; my thanks to legendary Texas musician: Augie Meyers.

Happy Birthday to Augie

READ on, help us celebrate Augie’s birthday and see the preview of the documentary in progress: South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound >>> 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…

This is a guest post from David Cleaves, co-owner of Ten Eighty Media a fine, full service production rental house based in Dallas – Ft. Worth, Texas. I included David’s article here as it pertains well to the production market and the message transcends to any business, large or small. As freelance professionals we should think hard about who we refer as vendors and what we are offering to our clients through our own advertising efforts. I hope you find this helpful and look forward to your comments. Thanks, Trace
Read the rest of the story >>> 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…

“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.
Read more…

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.

Read more…

“Assisted Living America” Tracks History and Challenges Ahead For Long Term Care In America

Today thousands enjoy the security and homelike feel of Assisted Living. But this environment didn’t always exist, and wouldn’t at all if it weren’t for several forward thinking individuals who, in the 1980’s, saw a need in their communities for a new style of long term care for older adults.
Read more…

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:

Read more…