I decided to start my own production company when the cost of equipment became reasonable enough for an individual to afford. I had thought of it years ago, but the quality of the cameras and software were not up to my standards. I am definitely particular when it comes to the quality of the videos that I produce. My clients will agree. Several have stayed with me for over ten years.
Gary shooting at Legion Field after the BBVA Compass Bowl
I began my career in what was then the best television station in the state. In fact, it was probably the best television station in the Southeast. Network crews would travel from Atlanta to send their reports back to New York rather than using one of the stations in Atlanta. The station had state of the art production equipment, the largest sound studio in the Southeast and best of all the best directors and news people in the country. It was a great way to start a career and it set the bar high for my production standards for the rest of my career.
After working in the business for a couple of years I had the opportunity to become a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama in the Communications Department. As far as I know I was the first graduate assistant in the broadcast and film area to independently teach video production courses. The highlight of those courses was having Sela Ward who was then a cheerleader appear in one of my student’s commercials. It was a classic!
After obtaining my Master of Arts degree. I returned to broadcast television working at several stations as producer, director and production manager. Most notedly I was producer of PM Magazine at WBRC-TV in Birmingham. We were the highest rated show in the nation. Our program was used as a showcase nationally to teach other markets how to produce a show. My last job before starting my own company was functioning as Vice President of Television Production at the company handling sports marketing at the University of Alabama. Our television shows were viewed as examples of excellence in college sports broadcasting.
When the time became right I started this company and have never looked back. I had always dreamed of owning my own company and now I am living that dream. I believe that it shows in my work.