The Audition Tape

My 11 year old son, Blair, wants to be a movie director when he grows up and asked if he could attend Denver School of the Arts so he has a better shot at getting into a good film program someday. The audition process was as grueling as getting into college. He needed a 2:00 film, an essay, a resume, a storyboard and examples of … Continue reading The Audition Tape

Haiti Earthquake: Telling the Story

The Los Angeles Times and the New York Times are doing a great job reporting a backstory in Haiti.  Their journalists are telling how broadcast and cable news handled the incredible logistics of deploying their people to Port Au Prince to cover the story.  This is not to diminish the role of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, YouTube and cell phones, but to get people like Anderson Cooper of CNN, … Continue reading Haiti Earthquake: Telling the Story

Acid Attack Survivor Katie Piper on CNN

Many of you came to this blog to see the story of Juliette’s acid attack. Former model Katie Piper recently spoke to CNN in Great Britain about the brutal attack that changed her life. She is incredibly courageous and is now working to help others through her Katie Piper Foundation (http://www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/.) http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/12/uk.katie.piper.acid.attack/index.html For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Acid Attack Survivor Katie Piper on CNN

On The Shoulders of Giants

In the room were the legends of photojournalism.  Darrell Barton, Larry Hatteberg and the memory of Bob Brandon.  There were also hundreds of others who had been influenced and inspired by the man we gathered to remember.  I did not know Bob Brandon.  I worked with him only once.  When he died in December 2009 I was struck by the outpouring of accolades for him.  I … Continue reading On The Shoulders of Giants

Richard Heene: Balloon Boy Incident Not a Hoax

This morning, NBC’s Today Show had an exclusive interview with the Balloon Boy’s dad, Richard Heene.  As he prepares for a 90 day jail sentence, Heene, had some choice words about the authorities who he believes have wronged him and his family.  NBC’s Matt Lauer grilled him during a fairly contentious interview in which Heene maintains the Balloon Boy incident was absolutely not a hoax.  This … Continue reading Richard Heene: Balloon Boy Incident Not a Hoax

Die 2009 Die

My Facebook friends and people I talk to are SO ready for 2009 to be gone so they can usher in a more promising 2010.  I hope all of us can count many blessings even in difficult times, but it’s true, the economy, layoffs, politics, war weariness, etc. all took a toll on us this year.  For many 2009 can’t exit soon enough, including those of us in journalism and … Continue reading Die 2009 Die

Meeting Aron Ralston

It’s hard to wrap your head around what Aron Ralston had to do in a slot canyon in Utah in 2003.  While hiking he dislodged a boulder and his arm was pinned beneath the huge rock for six days.  To escape certain death he amputated his own arm then rappelled down a 65 foot wall and hiked eight miles before he found help.  The act … Continue reading Meeting Aron Ralston

Travelling China’s Silk Road

Wonderful story from CBS News about entrepreneurship along the Silk Road in China.  Chinese policy towards America may not be changing much but its people embrace our capitalism and long to compete with us.  The Silk Road is open for business!  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5701582n For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Travelling China’s Silk Road

Cons Cashing In

Dave Dahl sits in the living room playing guitar and singing songs about justice and the lack of it.  He was in the slammer off and on for 15 years for dealing meth and assorted other felonies.  Now he is working and relishing his second chance.  Four years ago, Dave Dahl returned to the family bakery in Portland, Oregon and is the face and story … Continue reading Cons Cashing In

Kate’s Counterpane: An MS Journey

My friend, Kate Milliken, is one of the most dynamic young women I know.  She is beautiful, talented, energetic and the picture of health.  At least she was until 2006 when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  It was a life altering blow but also an opportunity.  Recognizing there was a story in her journey she created Kate’s Counterpane which is a series of short … Continue reading Kate’s Counterpane: An MS Journey