•REC

My background: FIve years as a Social Worker, many years as a comedian/performer/actor and currently as a member of Toastmasters (learning public speaking/communication), has made me realize that video production is as much about technical skills as good communication. It helps that I have been on both sides of the camera and have had to communicate with people in a wide variety of environments.

Working method: A "backwards approach." When meeting with a prospective client I ask what message do they want to make on a viewer with their video. Then I work back to the beginning asking what techniques are necessary to make that message a reality. I rely a lot on my listening skills during this process. I never let my enthusiasm for equipment/editing overshadow a final product that reflects what the customer wanted to achieve with their video.

Innovation:

1. Instead of waiting for a customer to contact me on their project status, I contact them first to keep them informed.

2. Implementing the "When Harry Met Sally" interview techniques for weddings.

3. Ever watch a sport recruitment video for a young sports star to get into college? Go to the portfolio page.

How started: A friend who knew I had a camera asked me to video his rehearsal dinner as he knew I could make people talk and say something funny.

My best skills: Adding creativity, being personable during a project and making people open up with humor. We all need to laugh as much as possible and it helps to have a gregarious person holding the camera. You want a videographer to fit in at your event whether it is a tea party or a science experiment.

Why "Alchemy?" Alchemy basically means converting metal into gold and video production is often like that.