Just Another Day…

Tag: public speaking

  • Specs Howard Commencement Speech

    Specs Howard Commencement Speech

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    Earlier this month I had the opportunity to speak to a new round of graduates from the school that helped me start my career as a video editor. It was back in 1988 that I was a bright eyed graduate of Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

    I have given few speeches in my life but I really wanted to do this. After being in this business so many years and receiving help from many along the way, it feels like I should be giving back when possible. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the direct and indirect generosity of others.

    While I asked for my speech to be recorded for the purpose of critiquing myself, it came out better than my nightmares led me to believe it would. So I share it here as well, all 8 minutes of it.

    YouTube • Download

  • Was Not My Night After All

    Due to some scheduling problems, the meeting had to be moved at the last minute to a different (much smaller, hotter and uncomfortable) room at the Planetarium. Also, due to the scheduling problem, we were told we had an hour less then usual to get everything in. So I volunteered to postpone my presentation until the next regular meeting in January. The other two presenters were from out of town – so it also made sense from that point of view to let those guys take what time there was. 

    We still had a good time and I’ll get my shot early next year, probably January if there’s an opening.

  • Conquering Your Greatest Fear

    An excerpt from the monthly newsletter sent out to all of the editors.

    Tonight I’ll be doing a presentation at the monthly editors meeting in Chicago. It’s a group of Final Cut Pro editors from around the city ranging from first time editors to seasoned professionals. There’s usually 30-75 people in attendance. 

    I offered to do this in the spring after completing a project that I thought would be a good teaching tool but the day that was so far off has finally arrived.

    I’m having Jeff record it on video so that I can watch it back later and critique myself and improve where I need it. If I can get over the nerves of doing something like this, I wouldn’t mind doing it more often for this group as well as others. There are always groups like this and conferences around the country looking for guest speakers.