Getting Started in TV

Its crazy - but I can trace back my desire to work in television/movies to the ripe old age of 4 years old. Damn them muppets and their movie! I was lucky enough to have grown up in a town so small, the local tv station was glad to have me right out of high school. Market 179: Lake Charles, LA. I answered an ad for a part time news production assistant. I got that glamerous job and began running the teleprompter, logging feeds and running the Vidifont machine. Wow, I was in TV!!

I soon discovered my interest in the production end of things and moved to that department. I had a thirst for knowledge and begged to learn anything I couild. I found out the cable company in town had a paintbox-type system and offered to volunteer my time to learn it. They offered me a job... making commercials. Now what exactly does a 21-year-old punk know about making commercials? NOTHING! But it was fun. I left there for the bright lights of Beaumont, TX(worst year of my life) -- I then received a call from my old station, "Had I ever thought about doing promotions?" The answer was no but I accepted the job to:
1) get the hell out of Beaumont, TX
2) work with one of the most creative and talented individuals I'd ever meet

After working a few years for Tim Bourgeous and learning from him - I got a phone call from KENS-TV in San Antonio, TX. (Is this getting boring? Trust me, it gets better - there are dragons and warriors coming, i promise!) I took the job and wow - that's when I learned: I didn't know a damn thing! Market 38 was on a whole new level and my boss, Dale Lockett, would whip me into shape! Dale changed my life forever. He taught me how to write and produce high-level promotion. He was hard as hell on scripts but I learned to write from that man and I am forever grateful.

He bolted for the first job he could get to leave us all behind(kidding... he moved to Houston as Creative Services Director). So in comes a new CSD, from WFAA in Dallas - Stan Melton, Jr. If Dale had taught me how to write - Stan taught me how to be creative. He opened up our minds to thinking several levels beyond the typical promo department. We did some great work under his leadership. Dale and Stan made me who I am today.

I then got the chance to live a dream. I moved to New York City to work for a company called Stun Creative. My main job was to produce promos for "Crossing Over with John Edward." Along the way, I got to do spots for Showtime, The Travel Channel and other "big time" projects. I hated it. It was so much different from news promotion and my bosses were difficult. I loved NYC but the job was not what I'd hoped.

Sooooo... a year later - I call my old boss Dale and he offers me a job in Houston at KHOU-TV. Close to home at a great station, I was glad to go. Houston turned out great. I worked on some great projects and met some great friends. Working for Dale was great because we had a history and he trusted me. During my time there, we went from third place to first and I was proud to play my little part in that success. It continues to be one of the best television stations in the country.

After 3 years, I was ready for management and moved to WESH in Orlando. I've been here for the past 2 years and I've made some great promos and some great friends. And who doesn't love Florida?

So that's it. I can't imagine why you'd care about my life story - but hey, isn't that what blogging is all about - self indulgence?

Oh... I promised dragons and warriors. Ok, hmmmmm... ok... the dragons ate the warriors. The end.