So it's been a while since I updated my blog, and a lot has changed. As of the last post I had taken a job at the Video Production Manager with the BBB. I wanted to to try something else, something new, and that something new didn't work out. The short answer to why I left was it wasn't a good fit for me and I was not happy, I was bored and miserable. On the bright side I did learn a lot about YouTube SEO that I will take with me.
I left a good paying job and went back to what is comfortable, to what I know, to what I love TV production. It doesn't mean I won't look outside of TV again but I may be more careful because money isn't everything, you need to be happy with what you do.
I took a job as a promotions producer at ABC 10 about 2 months ago, and I do love it. I am in my element with people who get me and can appreciate what I do. Since day the ABC 10 guys and gals have treated me as one of their own. And I was able to jump in to a couple big projects from the get go.
I have been here a couple months now and things are going well.
and I will try to be better about updating this blog... I have a couple ideas for some product reviews and camera talk
So far so good.
I started my new gig about a month ago, as the Video Production Manager at the the Better Business Bureau. There are a lot of opportunities, I'm basically rebooting their video department from scratch, witch is very cool and scary at the same time.
The pace in the "real world" is a lot slower than in TV. That is taking a little while to get used to. In the month that I have been here I have reworked the instructional videos by making them informational fun and uniform while still sharing the BBB brand.
In the future I will be working with local businesses by producing short promotional, informational, and fun videos to help bring awareness to the local businesses and the BBB.
Another proud day for us at JDKnight
Films we picked up acouple awards for one of our music videos at the
Sacramento Music and Film Festival. El Basterdo by the Vintage
Vandals won Best "Out of
Program" Music Video and Best Music Video. We are so honored there was a lot of
good videos this year. I hear it was a close race. Great job everyone who
submitted a video! Thank you to Tony and Nate for putting on a great festival.
Thank you to the crew... Sean the DP, Tammy the AD and Molly our grip. And Erick Lee our
drone pilot he did a great job fighting the wind.
Thank you to The Vintage Vandals for trusting
us with their song and for putting in the work to help pull this video off.
I was going though a hard drive over this last weekend and found a folder of photos I shot back in May and the Sacramento Music Festival. I went as a spectator but I did bring my camera to shoot the Nickel Slots, they happen to be playing on the same stage as EVE6 and Everclear. so I thought I'll grab a few shots of them as well.
At my day job I produce promos and commercials and I happened to to the ad for the festival. At the show I ran in to one of the organizers and he gave me VIP tickets. so I was lucky enough to get front and center for the headlining acts.
Check out the albums from those shows here EVE6 Everclear
So just the other day I posted one of the photos of Max Collins the lead singer of EVE6 on Twitter. He started following me and re tweeted the photo... I sent him the link to my Smugmug album and said he could use the photos. He said he liked them and shared another photo.
I know your not supposed to give you photos away for free use but I'm never going to sell these so I figure share them and if they get me a little exposure that works for me.
On a side note, when I first moved to Sacramento in1998 I was trying to teach myself how to play the bass, I gave up and got into photography but one of the only songs I learned was Inside Out by EVE6 I wasn't good but I could play along with the CD.
Hey all, July is almost over and here in Sacramento we have weather in the 90s but we are talking Christmas. The guys in The Nickel Slots asked me back to work on some behind the scenes promotional videos for the Christmas LP they are working on.
I spent Saturday at Pus Cavern studios watching the recording process... It was fascinating. Thanks to Joe Johnston who was nice enough to answer all my silly questions about the studio. I think most Sacramento bands who have "made it" recorded there at some point. It was cool to watch the microphone placement and how the band records in different parts of the studio.
I came back with Christmas tunes stuck in my head but it was worth it I got a lot of fun interview footage and behind the scene video for a project later this year..
I did a 3 camera shoot all by myself, and got to put some new gear to the test and for the most part I was happy with the footage I came back with. although I did learn how far I could push some gear in low light. but over all I'm pleased and can't wait to finish up the video.
The Nickel Slots are releasing 4 holiday songs 1 original and 3 standards done in their Americana style.
Here is a look at a teaser video I did for the band.
We here at jdknightfilms.net are proud that another one of are videos is being promoted nationally. Thanks to The Nickel Slots for believing in our work and getting it out for the world to see...
Press Release:
July 7, 2015 (Nashville, TN & Sacramento, CA) — The Nickel Slots, an alt-country, Americana-styled roots rock band out of Sacramento, California announce the release of their second nationally promoted music video, “On the Wall.” This video is a throwback to early-‘80s MTV music videos, set to a rockin’ song about a beloved guitar.
The band is again partnering with Nashville-based video promotion company Visual Image Marketing, which earlier this year promoted their music video “The Devil’s Chain Gang.” That video garnered airplay on major Country music video networks including Heartland TV, ZUUS Country, CMT.com, and Australia’s CMC TV and various other music video shows across the US, the UK, and Europe. The new video “On the Wall” can be viewed here:http://bit.ly/onthewallvideo
About the video:
Lead singer and acoustic guitarist Tony Brusca wrote the song about a guitar hanging on the wall, sung from the point of view of the musician for whom nothing is going right without it. He desperately needs to get the guitar back into his hands. The video is a joyful homage to some of the band’s favorite MTV videos of their youth, featuring energetic live performances in whitewashed rooms.
About the band:
The Nickel Slots’ high-energy alt-country/Americana music takes you on a journey through hard times and desperation that always carries hope that better things are just around the corner. With influence from early roots Americana music as well as a touch of rebellious ’70s punk, The Nickel Slots draw the line that connects Johnny Cash to The Clash. From the sentimental folk tune to the foot-stomping, raucous sing-along, their alt-country rock songs bring you back to a long-lost memory or shared experience of pain, joy, heartache, love, hope, and redemption. Their music has been called Americana with attitude, where country, rock & roll, and punk meet.
Lead singer and acoustic guitarist Tony Brusca writes songs that tell unique stories and has a knack for connecting with audiences. Bassist and mandolin player Paul Zinn’s backing vocals add an extra dimension to Tony’s melodies and his bass lines just can’t sit still. Christopher Amaral, The Nickel Slots’ versatile drummer, lays down train beats and adds distinctive power to the band’s sound. His brother, award-winning electric guitarist Steve Amaral, throws down tasteful licks that dance across the line between rock and country.
When you're in-between gigs don't forget to play. Bring a camera
everywhere and shoot. Have some fun, shoot the stuff you want to shoot not just the video
your clients want to shoot. Remember why you got into this business.
At work things have been very uniform
lately and I have been itching to be creative, just to get out and play with my
cameras. So this 4th of July I brought a couple cameras to the family firework
show, and threw together a fun little video... It was a fun little shoot and
edit. Enjoy!
The
video's don't have to be perfect, it's a chance to try new things that you may
not want to try on a paying gig and you could end up with a new trick in your arsenal
or at least a nice little video for your family.
So it's been a while since I updated my blog, and a lot has changed. As of the last post I had taken a job at the Video Production Manager with the BBB. I wanted to to try something else, something new, and that something new didn't work out. The short answer to why I left was it wasn't a good fit for me and I was not happy, I was bored and miserable. On the bright side I did learn a lot about YouTube SEO that I will take with me.
