Diary of a San Diego Video Crew
Swiss Army Knife Adventures
On a Valentine’s Day early in our relationship, Mark presented me with a brand-new Swiss Army knife because we both loved hiking, backpacking, and opening bottles of beer and wine. Little did I know how many wild and amazing adventures on which this knife would accompany us. It stayed in my back pocket much of the time while we rambled around the USA and Alaska on our nine-month journey in 1986. I have had MANY embarrassing moments in my life, but one in particular reigns as THE MOST MORTIFYING.
Fun Video Productions from the Past
Fun video productions are our motto. It’s delightful when your work is your passion. We came to the end of 2019 like a toboggan careening down a luge. It seems like only yesterday when we were facing the year 2000. Remember Y2K? So do we. Here we are in 2020! We hope it signifies the Year of Perfect Vision. Usually with each new year you think back to the past and in our case, fun video productions from the past. Here are some fun ones that stand out.
Easyrig Inventor Johan Hellsten
“The company started as a hobby. I was glad that other cameramen were interested in my invention and wanted to work with Easyrig.” – Johan Hellsten, Inventor
Motown Magi Mooney
When my father, Joe Mooney, won a movie camera for his sales prowess at Chrysler, back in 1958, it was my mother (aka “Motown Magi” Mooney) who learned how to operate it. She filmed our family visits and other special occasions. She filmed us on our wagons, tricycles and bicycles. She filmed us doing The Twist when The Beatles were all the rage. She filmed weddings, birthdays, funerals. With practice, she got pretty good at capturing the important moments.
Will Eisner: His Last Day in Vietnam
Will Eisner Birth of the Graphic Novel Will Eisner is known as "The Leonardo of the comic-book form." But did you know that the man who gave birth to the graphic novel form did it while working with the Army? After World War II, the U.S. Army tapped Eisner to create...
Sandbags
C-stands are secured with a sandbags. It’s standard operating procedure. A sand bag is an intrinsic part of my sound kit for when I go out on formal interviews. After I rig the boom pole on top, I can rest easy assured that the boom will not fall upon the head of the interviewee.