The First Cut

I needed to replace my lawn-mower this week. It served me well for nigh on 10 years despite suffering fortnightly abuse over the summer months. During that time I have pushed that little hover over garden path, cobbles, 8" meadow, mud ... you name it. I've even cut through the power cord  a couple times. So having such loyal service I decided to return to the brand and purchase the update of the same model in anticipation of the first cut for the season.

Whilst looking at the models on show at my local garden centre I was approached by a lady, a fellow customer, who pointed out a high end mower to me. She relayed that she had purchased that model a couple weeks earlier and was highly impressed with it. She began to show me how to fold and unfold it, raise the height levels, the fancy knobs it had. To her it was just the best thing and I should buy one.

I was really impressed with her brand loyalty which showed through in her eagerness to give a voluntary super sales pitch when not even a member of staff. Her delivery was exemplary and the tone in her voice as seductive as any perfume commercial. She should have been staff. When I told her of my experience, she protested "but you can't beat this brand" and went as far to support the cause by informing me all her other major appliances were the same brand. Now she had a point. My washing machine, refrigerator and some power tools are from the said manufacturer, they all work fantastically and have served me well for some years. But I was here to buy a mower.

Now I had my experience and was determined to stick to the tried and tested. However, my purchasing decisions are not based on that alone. Over the years I've weaned myself off impulse buying and learned to purchase against a specification. Apart from my experience I had some other prerequisites. The mower needed to fit in a small shed so had to be compact. I have a practical garden so it would need to cope with all terrain. Warranty. Budget.

The brand is relatively new to the gardening market. That super model I was tempted with had wheels. Its cuttings bin was hard plastic and attaches to the back of the unit. Warranty was pretty much similar. So in terms of experience, size and flexibility the recommended machine did not meet my requirements. A standard year warranty was available for both models. Price? Let's just say I'd saved enough to buy a 64GB compact flash.

So why relate this story in this blog?

Well for sure we get enticed by all sorts of promotions in the film and video world. Just this week I got an email from Blackmagicdesign about their stand at NAB 2014 and the opportunity to see their new URSA camera. What caught my eye was the comment on their Cinema Camera and the extensive rigs people have purchased to get the best out of it. Yet that was not what it was designed for. (They have now brought out the URSA for that).

Next time we save our hard earned pounds, dollars, dinars and sheckles for a video camera that offers film aesthetic on a budget let's put together our simple list of requirements and compare the models on offer against it. Not only would we be more satisfied with our needs being met but we may also save some pennies in the process.

Yes the garden is looking wonderful.

Tony

What's Up TV

Let me me get this out the way .... Pick TV (Sky), Freeview Channel 11, Virgin Media 180. Sunday 10am. I've been repeating this to a few friends and so the message has stuck.

Why?

Well, I mentioned late last year that I was doing a spot of directing for a Youth TV production company, Licklemore Productions,  in a post titled 'One Direction'. Well the six programme Series 5  commenced last Sunday on the above channel.

It was great seeing my name (not pseudonym) on the Director credits. The pieces I directed included FGM, which aired on last week's show, and London's Olympic legacy, that has yet to air. I also contributed to a style piece regarding natural hairstyles.

Licklemore held a fabulous launch party at Bar Music Hall in Shoreditch. It was great meeting the entire production team and swapping notes on challenges and experiences of other directors and crew. We all shook a leg at the after party with the resident DJ dropping some serious nineties and noughties house, hip-hop and RnB. I was in my element.

Well done to the team and the youngsters who have now gone on to get placements with various divisions in Sky and other production companies.

Check out "What's Up" every Sunday at 10am running until end of February 2014.

FA Pioneers Day 150

I received a pleasant New Year's present when The FA placed a link to one of our collaborative productions with Spinx Media for the London FA on their website http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/equality/race-equality . Such endorsement, even if temporary, is not to be taken lightly as the organisation only places productions on the site from its own in-house team. My credits/role - camera / production assistant.

The following is the wording that accompanied the piece ....

"In October 2013, the London FA invited 150 local students, in line with The FA’s 150^th birthday celebrations, to take part in Pioneers Day.

The event, coordinated by London FA’s Inclusion Officer Darren Smith, aimed to give a diverse group of young people a taste of the various careers in football beyond becoming a player. The students took part in six different workshops including coaching, working with teams, disability football, promoting the game, refereeing and TV and radio interviewing. 

Pioneers Day supports The FA's National Game Strategy by increasing football opportunities to women and minority groups and by raising their awareness of the pathways that are available. The initiative also supports English Football's Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Plan 2012-17 by introducing and encouraging young BAME people to become qualified coaches and referees. The day was also supported by Kick It Out, The BBC and other key individuals from across the game."


Pioneers Day Production

Wishing you all the best of success for 2014.