Look out Detroit 1-8-7, you’ve got nothin’ on the Wayne State PD!
I spent some time last week rolling film for a Wayne State University PSA proposal, and I can say with confidence that the area around WSU has got to be one of the safest in the city of Detroit. WSU PD is a tight-knit department and its members conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. These guys (and girls) are highly trained, organized and prepared, and there’s no doubt that the service and protection of the community is foremost in their minds. From top to bottom, this operation is state of the art, and it was way cool to get a glimpse inside. Here’s a look:
by on Oct 22nd, 2010. Comment 
Having lived in the city of Hamtramck off and on over the years, I thought I knew pretty much everything that mattered in regards to what Hamtramck had to offer. Boy, was I wrong. When the Hamtramck DDA contracted Lightshine to produce a promotional segment for Detroit Metro Airport video kiosks, my eyes were opened to any number of new establishments that have popped up on the scene since I last took a good look around. The city is constantly evolving, with new restaurants and clubs rising up to stand side by side with the classic staples that we’ve known and loved for years. Believe me, it’s impossible to showcase every cool thing you’ll find in Hamtramck in a two minute video, but here’s a look at just a few of the things this town has going on:
by on Oct 5th, 2010. Comment
Wow. It’s been awhile. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun.
So you may have noticed a change in the Lightshine Productions home page. I replaced the wedding slideshow with a montage of some of the more commercially-oriented work I’ve done. Of course, this doesn’t mean that I’m moving away from shooting and editing weddings. No way. I just like to rearrange things once in awhile – sort of like moving around the furniture in your living room.
That brings up another point. I’ve had a few marketing experts tell me that it might not be a good idea to combine such diverse services under one umbrella. Their theory is that business owners might look at a company that produces wedding films and think they’re a little too touchy-feely to put together a cutting edge production that will engage their audience. On the flip side, they figure that brides might get the idea that if someone is doing commercial video, he may be too technically proficient to tap into the feelings and emotions of the wedding day and create a moving, memorable film.
I’m not buyin’ it.
If you can do a couple of things well – and you love doing them – then you should go for it. I love creating wedding videos. You meet people at one of the happiest times of their lives. You get to share in one of the happiest days of their lives. And let me tell you, happiness is contagious. And in addition to the must-have shots, there are a ton of spur-of-the-moment opportunities throughout the day where your instincts and creativity can really shine. And when it’s all said and done, you’re presenting these two people with an awesome video that they’re going to cherish for the rest of their lives. How cool is that?
And I love doing commercial video. I’ve really come to appreciate all the planning that goes into it, from the script writing to the opportunity to set up the shots exactly how you want them to creating killer motion graphics. There’s a lot of work involved, but when it all comes together at the end, I get to say, “I did that.” (This would be a good place to mention that I’m seriously grateful to God for the talent He’s given me.)
Anyway, I am what I am. It makes me happy. It makes other people happy. What more can you ask for?
by on Jun 22nd, 2010. Comment
