The restaurant industry was particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 15% of restaurants closing forever. However, the restaurants that implemented new digital ordering and marketing systems often saw their profits double or more.

HungerRush offers complete restaurant management solutions, facilitating contactless ordering and fulfillment. I was called in to consult and create digital content during the difficult times of social distancing.

In 2020 we produced two podcast series, a full webinar presentation, and many explainer videos. I utilized an agile production approach to complete their projects on time and under budget.

HungerRush Redefined, a webinar presentation we created during the lockdowns, required each presenter to be recorded by different means. First, we utilized my on-site studio capabilities to record the keynote and one presentation segment. Second, I installed an isolated green-screen studio on their premises for full socially distanced video recording. Third, we hired another studio outside of Houston for an executive who could not travel. Finally, an outside consultant recorded the concluding presentation. The footage was then composited into a single presentation. I used motion graphics and color correction to unify the images into a cohesive whole.

These unorthodox but necessary methods successfully brought in new clients. In addition, they expanded current client awareness of HungerRush's full suite of innovative software solutions, in-store kiosks, and handheld POS systems.

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Capturing content in a live theater is incredibly challenging, more so when it's a theater in the round! The Houston Chronicle's ad marketing team hired me to provide promotional materials for a one-of-a-kind event they were hosting.

Peter Pan 360 is a brilliant retelling of the classic J.M. Barrie novel. This traveling show is complete with performers, actors, dancers, gymnasts, and a full crew of technicians. Together they deliver high-flying acrobatics, sword fights, beautiful sets, scenic projections, and mechanical contraptions daily to hundreds of patrons.

Making videos at theatrical performances is similar to sports and wildlife photography. To get the shots I needed for this assignment, I utilized a 400mm lens, in effect, a telescope for your camera. Shooting in the dark and switching between photo and video, I captured every incredible moment.

The choreography was innovative, unlike performances that utilize movements on the floor with brief moments in the air, many key scenes are on wires flying above the audience. This spectacle included a full-scale pirate ship with Peter and Hook sword fighting and floating above the rigging. It was beautiful, yet frightening, and all the more enchanting for being so.

It was a performance that I didn't want to end. Afterward, I knew one more shot would pull the video together perfectly. I needed an interview or sound bite from the cast themselves. Fortunately, I didn't have to go far, the stars of the show were having a meet and greet in the lobby! I approached them, and they did not disappoint. Peter and Captain Hook ad-libbed the perfect comedic finale for the video.

One of the key skills of the producer and director is the ability to visualize the content and mentally assess completeness of the video before the talent has left the venue, costing the production additional time and money for reshoots.

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Establishing efficient client communication is the first step to producing a successful product or campaign. The work begins with gaining deep understanding our client's message and audience, following a tested production process from consult to delivery. Gaining brand awareness often requires research, particularly with new clients. Not only are we seeking to know the intended audience but also the character of the brand's existing body of content.

Clients often bring finished elements to projects which serve as a foundation for the piece. Cadence Bank provided a voice over and a concept for a promotional video to be displayed at a trade show booth. We introduced the executives of this new bank to future clients. We established the character, tone, and objectives of the bank in our video; visually portraying the values of inclusion, security, and trust.

Like most of my projects, we had a lot to do in a short amount of time. Every video project has a large number of moving parts which we bring into synchronization. Every element starting with the script, on screen talent, voice actors, motion graphics, and b-roll must harmonize to create a cohesive and impactful message.

With all of these components, maintaining standards is of paramount importance. When budgetary and time constraints are tight, having an experienced producer who can pull the pieces together utilizing recorded clips and pre-made content, or stock footage, to pad and enhance the message is the key to a successful production.

There are few business relationships more sensitive and personal than the one we have with our bank. This project successfully conveyed Cadence Bank's values and introduced their line of services and banking partners as they expand into new markets.

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The initial consult is the best place to identify issues and establish expectations for any project. When ClickFox accepted my bid and we began pre-production, the issues of client expectations and attachments came into focus. The script they had presented was hilarious, full of one-liners and visual comedy, but did not align with their request.

The scriptwriting process can be personal and fun, especially when writing a comedic bit. Emotional attachments are often made to lines or elements that might not fit the brief's scope. Their script needed to be cut down, and to convince them of this fact, I created a storyboard video with a voice-over, or animatic, to see and hear the flow of what they had written.

Together we cut and refined the script down to 5 minutes and continued the work of pulling the elements into place. We had decided on a location, interviewed talent and crew, shot and edited the piece, and upon watching the five-minute rough cut, the client realized it felt a bit long and requested that it be cut to 3 minutes, but without losing any content! This situation is far from ideal as the primary task became one of compression.

I used two editing techniques to bring the video down to time. First, I increased the playback speed. I tried 15 percent, but that felt unnatural, and I found that 12 percent still felt like natural speech. This dropped around 30 seconds from the video, but I still had a minute to remove. Next, I carefully clipped unnecessary words and reduced the pauses between statements, painstakingly cutting the last 25 percent of the running time.

Even though there were many post-production revisions, we finished on time and within the budget.

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Some productions are like marathons. I took on a large project with a tight deadline and not enough budget to bring on additional talent. Monster.com partnered with the Houston Chronicle and asked me to create six full production videos from script to screen in six weeks.

We wanted to draw in new job seekers in undeserved industries as well as veterans of the armed forces. Monster's marketing team did not offer much input on the project, and asked me to complete every production task with scheduled reviews along the way. I researched the topics, wrote scripts, made storyboards, hired talent, collected and captured b-roll, and recorded their provided presenter. The edited videos were color corrected, and motion graphics were applied.

I completed this project on time and within the budget buy creating a template model within which I could replace assets specific to the theme without rebuilding each video from scratch. This approach allowed me to spend more time adding motion graphics to increase the production value of each video. Even with these time saving techniques I was still working overtime in the last weeks just to properly clean and pace each video.

Tight deadlines with a large volume of work require excellent time management skills in order to deliver the product on schedule. I am able to complete these types of projects by maintaining multiple creative competencies and effective task switching.

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To inspire new volunteer coaches for their community centers around the country, the YMCA asked me to create an emotional call to action video. I began my work by getting to know one coach and listening to his story, much of which made it into the video.

Working with kids has a special set of personality requirements for the director. Patience, friendliness, and a methodology of repetition eased the nerves and excitement of these kids. I benefited from the fact that I could work in an interview style and not make them memorize and deliver lines. Instead, I asked them to repeat their own words until I found a usable take.

We had an amazing day, and the kids were all smiles as I prioritized keeping a fun atmosphere on set. I maintained a lighthearted no pressure attitude by treating the kids like movie stars. The first take of an interview will often have great content with poor delivery. Particularly with children, diction and emphasis can be confusing as initially stated. When this happens, you can try asking the question again. If this doesn't work, we can take the direct approach by asking them to repeat their answer. Typically, the second or third take of a statement will have a cleaner usable presentation.

Working with adults can be even more challenging, as many adults are resistant and self-conscious. Emoting on camera is difficult, some people are naturally capable, but the rest of us have to work on our presentation. As a director I facilitate and guide the talent to capture their best self.

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