Inside The 13th Gate

From the guy who blogged about The 13th Gate and Return to The 13th Gate comes the next chapter in fear, chills, and the quest to provide good television in the Red Stick.
Our brave hero, armed with only a camera & a fuzzy microphone, was ready to brave the controlled madness that the nation's top haunted attraction would bring. As he ventured through the hall of mirrors he thinks of those who were with him last time and wishes they joined him for this latest installment. He wonders will that figure's reflection jump out and ask about the dust wand on the camera. Who knows what unforseen horrors were ready to pop in front of the lens. One thing is for certain, it's stories like this that get your blood pumping. Until it is time for the other monsters to scare the daylights out of you.

-Special thanks to The 13th Gate for opening their doors and giving me a look behind the scenes. This is one great attraction and is worth visiting. One more weekend of horror then the buildup to their new feature in 2011.-

LOOK OUT!!!!

If you work the camera at any sporting event you have to keep your head on a swivel. You never know when someone or something may be coming your way. Just hope that the insurance is paid up and the engineering staff has the parts ready to go for repairs.

Under The White Hat

Life as a college head football coach is a unique to say the least. Everyday there is something that will require your attention. Steps you must take in order to keep your program at its peak while avoiding the butane burner that is put under your seat for less than desirable results. But besides game plans, personnel moves, stradegy sessions, and public appearances what is going on under the white hat right before the biggest game of the year to date.

Did I remember to turn off the sprinklers before leaving for work this morning?

Will my starting QB finally live up to his true potential?

Will that photographer get any closer to me?

I wonder how the food is in this town. After all we aren’t in Louisiana anymore.

Will that weekend sports guy ask me a legitimate question at the next media luncheon?

I have Defense and Special Teams, will the Offense show up this week and shock the world?

I mean seriously, how much closer is that guy going to get to me? And does he know that his armband is on his ankle?

How did the last guy manage to deal with all of this madness?

Did anyone see that Rangers / Giants matchup in the World Series this year?

No matter what logic goes on under the White Hat, he knows how to keep the fans on the edge of the seats.

Whistle Blower

There are times when you have to go live to add an extra punch to the story you are cranking out for the evening news. One thing about live shots you never know what you are going to get. Especially when you seem to draw an impromptu audience to watch how you and your reporter manage to get everything you shot and written back to the station to put over the airwaves. Some will just stand in awe. Some will come dressed for the occasion. Others will just give a shot of laughter that you have to somehow keep under control for the two minutes that you have to fill. I don't know how my friend Sarah managed to keep a straight face during her shot. I lost it right when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin did a run in.

Breaking Social Media

Thanks to a certain billionaire's news network gone are the days of television stations signing off at midnight with a long blast of black and white static slowly taking people to dreamland. The 24 hour news cycle was born and the years after its inception it has evolved. Now with the added tools of the social media events now can instantly be sent to the masses within minutes. Stories can turned within a heartbeat with billions of eyes and millions of thumbs ready to text the big one to everybody. Every news outlet in the world has its staff connected to the social media realm but it's nice to poke fun at what we do, as long as it's within 140 characters.

Extreme Makeover: Mall City Edition

Harry Drive. Monet. Renoir. Cezanne.

Every photographer in the Red Stick knows these streets. One that are filled with elements that are less than desirable. An area that is scarred be the name of Mall City. One of the hot spots in the city where it’s not a matter of if something bad comes across the scanner but when. Unfortunately it’s also a place where the innocent can get in the middle of the crossfire. But it’s also home to some of the innocent. It’s the only place some have known for years. It’s also a chance for some to lead the charge for change in the area.
A chance for the innocent to change the perception of the area known for flashing lights and yellow crime tape filling the evening sky. First order of business is to change the look. Picking up the trash, cleaning the empty lots, and getting rid of the abandoned & blighted property. That is only the foundation and hopefully those who care can build on it. And those who care can recruit more to join their venture. Just hope I’m around to see the finished work and put that on television as well.