What is ENG? - by Mark Schulze

ENG is an acronym for "Electronic News Gathering." It's a pretty broad term in that it could mean one person going out to collect news on a camera, or it could mean a larger crew with camera operator, sound person, teleprompter, satellite truck, etc.

In my case, it usually means that I will load the vehicle up with my camera, tripod ("sticks"), a monitor, cables, and sound and lighting, if necessary, and head out to a place where news is "breaking."

After the raging San Diego wildfires of 2007, I was tapped by PetSmart to videotape animals that had been evacuated or rescued. PetSmart's Pet Waggins delivered aid to these animals that were being housed at Qualcomm Stadium's parking lot. This little video takes you back to that moment in time.

One Video with Multiple Translations - by Mark Schulze

We recently had the opportunity to produce a video for AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) that has been translated into several languages, about their online service for science reporters, called EurekAlert. I predict that as our countries continue to globalize economically, there will be a call for more videos of this type. We utilized green-screen interviews along with stock footage clips. AAAS is very happy with it, and so are we.

EurekAlert! Web Video from Patty Kay Mooney on Vimeo.

How I Got Started in the Video Profession - by Mark Schulze

Many students and young professionals approach me wondering how I got started in the industry of video production. I've been involved in the profession so long now (nearly 30 years) that my story is almost mythological. I started my own company, Crystal Pyramid Productions, in 1981, after graduating from UCSD. I had reached my decision to go into video production after leafing page-by-page through a copy of the Yellow Pages. Most young people may not know exactly what this is because you can now find everything you need on the Internet.

Anyway, when I had reached the "V's" I knew that Video was truly the career for me. The way I got started was to intern while a student in college. Then, when I had become a businessman - which entails a bunch of paperwork and official certification - I began offering my services to nonprofit companies at reduced rates. I also placed small ads in local publications. I gave up my weekends to shoot lots of weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and other special family events.

Eventually I began making a name for myself. I collected testimonials from people and created demo reels from clips off of finished videos. Little by little my company rose, along with the help of my partner, Patty Mooney, whom I met in 1982, to the place where we are now - a high-echelon, award-winning broadcast and corporate video production company.

Looking back, I realize that my rewards were not the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, but that they were embedded in my path from the very beginning. To those bright and shiny students who want to enter the realm of video production, I say, make sure that video production makes you happy. It's the kind of work that requires a lot of manual labor, responsibility, constant decision-making and sometimes long hours. It also pays in the dividends of meeting all kinds of great people, seldom working in the same location twice, and the pride of creating art that will probably outlive you.

In the above photo you'll see a production still from one of my very first productions, "Get Smart About Toxins." It was a video for the Environmental Health Coalition about the dangers of toxic waste (paints, varnish, battery acid, etc.) to waste collectors. I had a chance to direct waste collection personnel, Paramedics and representatives from the Fire Department. To my knowledge, the EHC is still using that video today.

A Timelapse of A Video Production Set-Up - Video by Mark Schulze

Here's a 30-second timelapse of a satellite video production set-up that took all day. This was a five-camera shoot (two mobile and three long-lens cameras on tripods in the back of the performance center in Escondido. It was a Christmas presentation by Mystery Science Theater 2000 with Weird Al Yankovich and ranks by the crew as the most fun video production gig of 2009.

Mystery Science Theater 2000 Production Set-up Timelapse from Patty Mooney on Vimeo.

Proud Finalist of "Most Admired CEO" Awards

I was honored to be a finalist in the San Diego Business Journal's Third Annual "Most Admired CEO Awards" competition. SDBJ held a well-attended gathering downtown at the San Diego Marriott Ballroom where we all had a chance to network with each other and enjoy "heavy hors doervres." I was in great company with other CEO's from around the region.

It's always a good thing when you receive recognition for your work. And my profession as a video producer and Director of Photography is a little bit different than your usual "nine to five." Each video production calls for a whole new venue and cast of characters. It's rewarding, but there's a lack of consistent social interaction, as you would find in most jobs. So shaking a few hands and networking with other CEO's was a lot of fun for me.


I even had a chance to say hello to San Diego's Mayor, Jerry Sanders.


Photographs by Brian Bostrum, Brian Bostrom Photography. Thanks Brian!