Current TV Restructures

41 Comments

• 

  Joe November 21, 2009

  Current tv restructures?
  My hope is that in the restructuring process, they stop pretending that they are interested in broadcasting viewer created content.

• 

  eb November 16, 2009

  I haven’t read all of the above comments… the print is too small or something?

  But here’s my take: Programming is still important. And “focus” is a common misake. So you may be able to take citizen journalism, or independant videos… and make money… BUT it will need to be “programmed” in a focused way. Focus on one topic. Don’t use the shot gun approach.

  Anyone can look up any video about any thing at any time. If you produce enough of those videos and sell ads, you can make money I suspect on the internet.

  But the big difference between “Programming” and the internet search… is one is mostly PASSIVE and the other interactive.

  So make your programs watchable – for however long you want them to watch. There are divisions… natural divisions. Single stories are ala carte. Internet takes care of that.

  Programming usually runs 1/2 hour, or one hour. So programs need to be compelling and focused for that time. It’s meant for viewers to passively watch. AND THEN have a good reason to return to watch the next program.

  If this network is retooling… it’s because their “programming” failed.

  Everyone in the world can create art, but if there are no museums, there is no central place for society to congregate to… to see it and have a shared experience. Programs do that for video.

  If everyone in the world produces a story about a news event… there will naturally be a “need” to put all of them together in a concise, cohesive way for viewers to appreciate. Programs do that for video.

• 

  pencilgod November 16, 2009

  I have to say that when I hear you guys criticizing Nino’s work its a bit like listening to the guys at mini-putt critiquing Tiger Woods. 🙂

  As to MTV style, been there done that and done it properly. There are ‘rules’ to good style based shooting to make it look cool instead of a mess. A lot of people who can’t shoot claim to shoot MTV Style when in fact they just suck and hope that it can be fixed in post.
  There is no future in that.
  When I was looking for work at the BBC they looked at all the fancy stuff on my reel and then said “have you got anything normal?” I was able to show them a tedious 18 min story on economics… they hired me on the spot. “If you can shoot that dry stuff well you can shoot anything.”

  In this tight job market you need to be more than a one trick pony limited to just one style.

• 

  kenny November 15, 2009

  My stuff is on my site as well. I’ve put some more stuff up there since the last time you asked to see my reel. Feel free to check it out.

  I think we’re just different folks with different genres. You make a great living doing what you do and from what I’ve seen of your stuff, for that genre, you do a kick a$$ job. I’ve said it before, your stuff is gorgeous. Just not my cup of tea. And since I don’t own a hotel or fancy restaurant, what I think should have absolutely no affect on you. And the stuff I shoot and produce is much more entertainment oriented. And I’m part of the MTV generation, so I happen to like fast cuts and crazy angles – the stuff you call crap. It’s a beautiful world we live in that has a place for you and has a place for me.

  We’ll both make a living doing our art in the way we see fit and attract the kind of clients that like what each of us do. In this economy, I’m just happy to be making a decent living and happy for anyone else that’s doing the same.

• 

  kenny November 15, 2009

  PG-I think you’re right about the medium. It makes you want to rebuff what you consider wrong with a well crafted sentence or two. In the midst of the frustration, it’s fun to debate. And I’m all for seeing different viewpoints that challenge my thinking, I just don’t like the nastiness and name calling. I’ll make an effort to refrain from that. And I think at least YOU just answered my previous question. You’re out to help the helpless, so to speak. Understood and I respect that. But, what do you say to those of us who have taken the course, made a lot of cash and learned a lot? And the folks who got out of the course exactly what they wanted. From everyone that I’ve talked to that has taken the course, they’re happy. Again, if you have different information, if you know of a few disgruntled TCA grads, please, let’s hear from them.

  And what makes you the genius on where the industry is going? Do you have a computer, do you have a cell phone? Do you not see the enormous amount of video that’s out there being produced with much smaller budgets? How do you see this trend changing in the future and from what experience do you base your claims?

  And Nino, first – I call BS on the “yeah I got tons of fast paced stuff, but, uh, you can’t see it because, uh, um….no one paid me for it…Yeah, that’s right! I just did it myself on my own time for fun, but I’m not going to show it to you.”
  Yeah, right.

  Second-When you say that no one wants fast paced reality with zooms and whip pans, it should be plainly obvious that you’re either lying through your teeth about believing this or you’re so out of touch with today that I’m surprised you’re still able to even communicate on the interwebs. (It IS a “series of tubes” ya know!)

  Have you heard about the MTV generation? Yeah, that was, like 2 generations ago and they loved the fast cuts, weird angles and zooms back then. Or, have you been to a multi-million dollar action flick in the past decade? How many slow pans with lame voiceovers did you see there? And, again I’ll mention reality tv. It’s FREAKIN’ EVERYWHERE and it’s making billions and billions. Nino, if you don’t like the style, that’s cool, man. No one is asking YOU to buy it. Watch whatever you want. But if you say there’s no money in it you’re either lying or stupid. Heck, I never said there was no money in slow pans and shots of well lit empty rooms. I just said that for tv viewer, it’s lame-o schmame-o. I don’t like it and it’s not entertainment. And, again, MICHAEL ISN”T TALKING ABOUT CORPORATE CLIENTS. How many times have I said that already? And you’re asking ME if I can read? You’re talking corporate and he’s talking tv.

  So, this is hilarious – you’re anti-creativity and pro-just doing whatever the man tells you he wants? Wow, it’s not just your shots that are boring, it’s your life. Now shut up and give me a slow pan of my ballroom.

  What I do is listen to the message our clients want to get across, then use MY expertise to come up with creative ways to get that message across. Sometimes it’s with humor, often with passionate enthusiasm, sometimes a tug on the ole heart strings. Then I design my shots, create fantastic natural opportunities for spontaneous moments and ask the right questions to let the subjects tell the story. It’s about people, not places. That’s the magic of travel journalism, that’s great tv and that’s entertainment. And, like the hokey pokey, that’s what it’s all about!

• 

  Nino November 15, 2009

  Hey Kenny, let see some of your work. Let’s see the clients who hires you.

  And BTW if you look thru all my demos you’ll see plenty of MTV style crap, and those are not self assignment, they pay me to do that.

• 

  Michael Rosenblum November 15, 2009

  Well thanks Stephen
  In fact, I have learned some stuff from our long relationship, and I have changed my views on a few things. I can only hope that you have done the same. I suspect you have.

• 

  pencilgod November 15, 2009

  Your right in a way Kevin. There is no real reason for us to post here. Maybe it’s just the medium. I keep thinking of the cartoon of a guy hunched over his keyboard saying “I can’t come to bed yet dear, there’s a man on the internet and he’s wrong!!!” 🙂
  There is a lot of history between us and Michael and while I often disagree with him I have to admit he makes me think about the industry I work in and looking how much his position has changed over the years I know he listens to us… even if he waits till after you guys fail.
  Morally Kevin if you saw a guy on a bike driving toward a cliff would you shout warning or just shrug your shoulders and say “it’s what he wants.”
  In the end you will do what you think is best for you but I will feel better about myself for speaking out against what I see as wrong. It’s a small wrong by world standards but it’s one I know something about.

• 

  Kevin November 15, 2009

  Hey PG-

  I’ve been in this business since I was 4 (granted as a child actor), I’m now 46. I want to share a quote with you from someone who was a pioneer in another field, it is also on the cover of my business plan. I understand your feeling to be true to what is currently paying the rent, but if something better comes along, you have to be at least willing to look to the future. Here’s the quote….

  “A hundred years ago, Wagner (Vog ner) conceived of a perfect and all-embracing art, combining music, drama, painting, and the dance, but in his wildest imagination he had no hint what infinite possibilities were to become commonplace through the invention of recording, radio, cinema and television. There already have been geniuses combining the arts in the mass-communications media, and they have already given us powerful new art forms. The future holds bright promise for those who imaginations are trained to play on the vast orchestra of the art-in-combination. Such supermen will appear most certainly in those environments which provide contact with all the arts, but even those who devote themselves to a single phase of art will benefit from broadened horizons.”

  Walter Elias (Walt) Disney

  Things are always changing, whether we like it or not. As a pro photog and producer, I wish it was still film and I would still be making lots of money everytime I pushed the shutter button or fired up the panaflex. It’s about transition, not defiance. The transition is happening now. There will still be required knowledge of composition, direction in the New Media, but you and the old school have to adapt or being willing to accept to adapt. There will be and is right now a lull ( much like the transition from the Apollo program to the Shuttle and what is to come next. ) There will be fits and starts and it will look like it’s falling apart. But it is a trial of what will work in that point in time. Nothing is perfect, nor will it ever be. There is quite a few new ventures that are making a move. Look at NBC/Universal; Comcast is certain to buy them. While Comcast is cable broadcasting, they are looking hard at the internet. Hulu which is jointly owned by NBC and News Corp is rapidly restructuring. YouTube is looking at charging for certain content. News Corp is talking about pulling all original feeds to Google/YouTube, so they can monetize their content. Others are following. Hyper-local is coming in a big way. Michaels ideas are revolutionary. Revolutionary is ‘the bringing about of a major or fundamental change.’ Revolution has never been popular with those in control, because it means their ultimate demise.

  What makes sense is to look at the whole picture. Don’t discredit something you don’t or don’t want to understand or have been told it won’t work.

• 

  kenny November 15, 2009

  and Nino-
  You know your “Equipment” page is all screwy, right? Contact your web guy, because there’s something wrong with it in a major way.

• 

  Nino November 15, 2009

  Thanks, as I pointed above it is still under major construction.

• 

  kenny November 15, 2009

  Oh…sorry. Didn’t see that.

• 

  Michael Rosenblum November 15, 2009

  Kenny
  Go check out Nino’s site
  See his videos and his clients
  That should answer all your questions
  http://www.ninomedia.tv
  Then, try posting some comments on his site.
  I don’t think he allows that to happen.

• 

  kenny November 15, 2009

  BTW, the only answers you could give to the above question would be (in reference to the specific reason above)

  1. I think you’ll take my job and I’m here to prove you wrong.
  2. The TCA class is a waste of time and money. Even though the statistics prove me wrong, I’m certain in my heart that you will regret taking the course.
  3. F#%k You! What do you have to say about that?
  4. (surprise me)

  If you’re crunched for time, feel free to respond with a number only.

  Or….if you have all the time in the world to berate me and tons of other people you’ve never met with a long, malicious diatribe that’s certain to NOT answer the question directly, but instead insult me, Michael and the folks that you claim are “brainwashed”, then go ahead and…..well, you know what to do.

• 

  Nino November 15, 2009

  Kenny, you got it all wrong man, learn to read first.

  Michael and all you guys have been saying for years that you’ll put us out of business, that we are finished, you’ll take over and we are afraid you, we never said anything to you, if wasn’t for Michael posting on other forums nobody would even thou that you guys exist. You guys got this thing started not us. You are the ones that blast your mouth off telling everyone that we are finished and you’ll put us out of business.

  Now is time to put your money where you mouth is.

  Tell us how are you going to do that. What are we supposed to be afraid of. What skill do you have that we don’t.

  So far the only skills that you’ve shown is that you have a big mouth and no substance behind.

  I don’t give crap about that shit that you do for the Travel Channel, nobody outside your own circle care about that stuff. there’s no outside money there, you have no advertisers, you are a close community self supported by your own tuition.

• 

  kenny November 15, 2009

  First off, you answered the question – you’re afraid that we’ll take your jobs and you’re out to prove us wrong.

  Yes, yes, I know you said it’s all Michael’s doing, that HE said it. But, WOOOOOOOW,YOU are the one that has repeated it soooooo many times. Did you ever hear the phrase, “No one in this world can make you feel inferior. You can only do that for yourself.”?

  And your constant postings about it prove that you’re afraid. I don’t know why, because Michael never said he’s taking corporate business away from you. That’s not his gig. Any idiot can see that. Okay, thank you, you’ve made it crystal clear to everyone that you are afraid.

  And when you said, “I don’t give crap about that shit that you do for the Travel Channel,” I said to myself “Oh, goody, I was hoping he’d go here!” You see, it doesn’t matter what YOU think, because TC pays me (and others) real money to produce and travel fro them. Real money that I can spend on new equipment, a car, or, like my good friend just did, on a new house. He calls it “The house that Travel Channel built.”

  I’m sure you’ll have a field day with this one, but here goes…I’m also a graduate of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College and I travelled with the show for 2 years. Yep, I went to the 8 week long clown college in 1994. Out of the thousands of people that applied every year to CC, they accepted 30 or 40. Out of the graduating class, about 10 would usually get a contract to perform in the Greatest Show on Earth. My year, 4 people got contracts. So, I guess you could say that, if I got a contract, then….any clown could do it! HA! (The first one’s on me, Nino) Strangely enough, tuition was about $2,500.

  Suffice it to say – Ringling didn’t have a clown college for 30 years for the betterment of the art…they did it so they could have fresh young clowns at a reasonable price to stock their circus with talent. And that’s exactly what happened for decades. And folks like me were happy to do it. International gig with a well respected, HUGE corporation and major clout after you’ve left? And you’re going to pay me too? Sign me up!

  And, to a degree, that’s what TCA is all about as well. It’s very self serving for the travel channel. They get reasonably priced talent all over the globe, so when they need to pay for a gig, they can call up a local in Botswana instead of having to fly someone there who doesn’t know the area, and on top of that, put them up and feed them for a week. And the local Botswana guy is getting good money for the effort he puts out. And when they DO want to send someone to a far off location, they have all these VJs with their small equipment packages that can fly off alone without enormous baggage fees and get a decent piece in a short amount of time. And they pay us real money, not Monopoly money. PLUS, when I tell my other clients that I’ve worked for the Travel Channel and show them my spots on the TC websites and mobile platforms, they’re impressed and I can charge more.

  So, again, who cares where the money comes from? I’m working, traveling, creating great product, getting paid and having fun.

  And, I’m curious…where do you get your information about TCA grads being “self supported” by TCA tuition? Is this just a theory or do you have evidence to back this up? Because all of my checks have said “Travel Channel” on them, not “Michael Rosenblum.”

  And, Michael-Yeah, I went to his new site. I tried to watch more of his videos, I really did. But the cheesy music, slow, wide shots and phony actors bored the heck out of me. Beautiful wide shots of empty restaurants and beaches, but there was just no connection for me. It seems Nino is really, really out of touch with the speed and immersion that today’s viewers demand. Unless, Nino, can you direct me to some videos that have more “reality”, faster cuts, closer shots, natural sound bytes and more energy? Seriously, if you got it, then I’m wrong, so I’d love to see it. It’s just the one’s that I saw were all the same style. And the young’ns of today think that style sucks. The energy, passion and creativity is missing. I’d rather see something with more “in your face” action. Show me what you got! What’s your most creative, fun, energetic, passionate spot that will make me go “yeah! That’s awesome!”?

• 

  Nino November 15, 2009

  Nino, can you direct me to some videos that have more “reality”, faster cuts, closer shots, natural sound bytes and more energy? Seriously, if you got it, then I’m wrong, so I’d love to see it. It’s just the one’s that I saw were all the same style. And the young’ns of today think that style sucks. The energy, passion and creativity is missing. I’d rather see something with more “in your face” action. Show me what you got! What’s your most creative, fun, energetic, passionate spot that will make me go “yeah! That’s awesome!”?

  I have tons of them but there’s only one problems with those, beside you and Michael nobody else is interested, not enough to pay for. This is a business. What I display is exactly what clients are looking for. Clients pay me $2250 per day, that’s $2000 for me and my gears and $250 for my son, (sountech/assistant). I set myself a maximum of 3.4 days a week of work, that’s 180 days per year and I give away on the average 100 more days a year to few loyal and skilled photographers most that I’ve trained myself, they own their own gears and get the same rate.

  When an architect, a hotel franchise, or any business want to illustrate a million dollar worth of interior they don’t want zooms, quick pans or quick cuts. The want to showcase their investment. They pay me sometime 2 days just for light the set and in some of those interior scene I can use up to 50 lights. I have to satisfy art directors, clients and advertising agencies. If they tell me to do quick moves and quick cuts I give them exactly what they need because that’s the easiest thing to do, but they never do ask for those. I’m not here to satisfy myself, I do that by photographing birds and nature, that’s what I like to do. I’m here to serve client and fill their needs the best I can, for accomplishing that I get top dollar.

  My biggest broadcasting client is ESPN and if you ever think that getting that account is easy just try it. You will never see any VJ stuff there. That’s the way that they want and we deliver.

  Is easy when Michael tells you to do your things, be creative. That’s a very easy to do because when you do your things or a self assignment like most of the VJ, TJ or CJ work is, you can work within the limit of your knowledge, of course, if you know know how to do it you just don’t do it. But a client ask you do do something specific and you don’t know how he will not be a client much longer. This is why outside these confines VJs are non existent.

  This is a business and not a hobby and my demo reel contains exactly what clients want to see.

  Now, the day that you’ll have ESPN, Hyatt, Hilton, HP, etc. call you and pay you $2250 per day plus expenses then let’s get together and talk.

  What I’m trying to tell you here is that there are ways to make a comfortable living in this business and being a VJ will not do it. The smart ones understand and will try hard to get some serious training, and the rest, well there’s always McDonald hiring.

• 

  Kevin November 15, 2009

  Okay, OK, I know that Michael has warned me off of discussing your stuff, but who did you have to bend over for at ESPN? Did you have to drop the soap or was it just a pretense?

  Now that I know who your clients are, I’m going after them big time!

• 

  kenny November 15, 2009

  Seriously, Nino-
  You’ve been asked a number of times by different people, yet you refuse to answer 1 simple question-Why do you care? (Or as Michael said earlier, “Why are you wasting your time here?”) Because your long rants certainly must be eating up time in your day.

  Maybe you feel threatened, so you have to defend yourself. Well, you’ve said over and over that none of these TCA grads even come close to your amazing skills, so that can’t be it. Or maybe you want to warn other folks not to take the class because it’s a rip-off? Well, again, as someone who has taken the class and knows many others that have taken the class, we’re all pretty darn happy to have done it. Especially those of us that are making the moolah directly from it. So, as the numbers prove, people that take the course are satisfied, unless you have data that shows otherwise. So, we don’t need your advice. Or, are you the kind of guy that just likes to argue, play devil’s advocate and stir the sh*t? Because that actually just makes a ton of sense.

  So, what is it?
  1. You’re threatened.
  2. You’re helping poor saps save their money. (people who don’t want your help,
  but you feel like they’re delusional, so you take it upon yourself to save them
  anyway.)
  3. You like to argue.
  4. Something else?????

  Seriously, dude…why? It’s hard to take you seriously unless you tell us what you’re trying to prove. Otherwise, you just look like a raving nutjob.

  So, what’s your point? What do you want? What are you trying to say and to who?

• 

  Michael Rosenblum November 15, 2009

  Hey Nino
  I just went to http://www.ninomedia.tv
  Congrats on the new site.
  nice. I invite everyone to take a look at the lovely photos of the glasses
  And the industrial promo videos.
  Where is the ‘comments’ section???

• 

  Nino November 15, 2009

  I imagine that’s a lots of sarcasm in there, not that it makes any difference, but thank you if there’s a compliment somewhere in there.

  The site is still heavily under construction and my son is experimenting with photo gallery software. If anyone has any suggestion for a good one I’ll really appreciate. So far we had nothing but problems as most software companies fix the bugs after they sale; but slowly they are getting there.

  The site reflects a new trend in business this is why I have combined video and photo productions, and for those who can do both photography and video there’s some very good business there. These are not projections, this is here now. 30% percent of my video work also require photography, that’s a real nice add-on ($$$). Most web magazines ask for both and they are asking for quality. They are asking for work that will stand above the rest. They want work that will set them apart from the mass of crap that has been appearing on the web. These are their words and not mine, we just humbly deliver what clients ask for.

  As far as your remarks for industrial work, I’m sure that there was some sarcasm there. That’s an area of business that I would concentrate a minimum effort at this time. A lot depends where you are based and what’s happening around you. A lot of manufacturing is now done outside the US so the bulk of that business is gone. Some is still here but is not worth any major promotional effort.

  Quality products photography is still going strong, so is architectural photography in spite of the low market, actually a low market requires extra advertising.

  As far as a comment section goes, that’s not a social web site and I’m not interested at all to hear from my fellow photographers, we have other venues for that. The only feedback that I’m interested of are from clients in a form of assignments.

  My hobby is nature photography and Florida is very rich with material. I have a full gallery dedicated to that and I have thousand of more pictures, right now we are just making a rough selection. This is more than just a hobby, I work with two interior architects and designers and they are constantly buying images to decorate commercial and residential interiors with Florida themes.

• 

  James Hazelwood November 14, 2009

  Wow. I feel like I’m back at the theatre watching Animal House. Can you say, “Food Fight!”

• 

  Kevin November 14, 2009

  If you’re James Hazelwood the photographer, you do beautiful work. Very artistic and timeless.

• 

  pencilgod November 14, 2009

  Kevin, just try thinking for yourself for a moment. For that last 10 years Michael has been predicting the end of TV as we know it. I hasn’t happened. He has been involved in numerous blue sky projects that were supposed to change the industry forever but they always end badly for all involved but Michael.
  He is like a cult leader who predicts the end of the world next Tuesday so buys a bunch of cyanide for his followers to take but also gets himself a lotto ticket for the following weekend.
  You can keep blindly following him and his ideas but don’t be surprised when you find you are the only one with something to lose from them. Michael won’t lose anything. He’s too smart for that.

• 

  Kevin November 14, 2009

  Hey PG,

  Thanks for the advice, however… just so you know Michael and I differ in some respects in our way of thinking. But I greatly respect his opinions, training and insight. And 250 Billion viewers of internet TV in 2009 alone is a substantial figure. Broadcasters wish they could have that. A.C. Nielsen has the figures if you want to fact check. That number is supposed to double in 2 to 3 years. If Michael has been at this for 10 years, he should’ve started 20 years ago, because the traditionalists aren’t getting it and they are losing ad revenue left and right, along with audience. The majors are saying what a great deal TV advertising is now, but it’s not great if no one is watching. Big Media through their greed forgot to innovate. I buy TV ad for some of my clients and I know and my clients don’t want TV anymore. They want to go where the dollars are, and that is basically all that Michael has been saying. Traditonal programming does not fit on the internet. There is a better way, but you’ll have to find that out on your own.

  If you have business savvy, you know that nothing is perfect in the beginning. Heck, even Walt Disney took years to get people to believe in his ideas (he started working in a Gelatin Factory, drawing farm animals for free. Nothing is an overnight success, it takes time, trial and error; but the inevitable is coming. Asia and Europe are light years ahead of the U.S. in planning and tech capability.

  Thanks for your advice, but I’ll stick with Michael’s.

• 

  Nino November 15, 2009

  Well Kevin, I’m glad you brought up the web business, I can just hear Michael saying to himself:

  “Damn, why did he do that for”

  That’s another of Michael red flair “successes”. You see, six years ago, along with all his other lost projections, Michael tried the web too as part of his get rich quick plans. According to him there will be an explosion in demands for videos on the web and whoever will be able to deliver cheap video contents will make a ton of money, of course for about $2K he will show you how. Well, a few years went by and he was still singing the same tune so people started asking, where are all these videos, where are all these web sites that buy all these economically priced videos or give out assignment to those who has taken Michael’s classes. Most important, where are all these VJ that by now are making a ton of money.

  Do you know what his answer was, you probably guessed.

  “I don’t have the time to waste for these stupid questions”
  Sound familiar? He is a very busy man, lots of time to promote potential but very little to show results.

  Now my question to you Kevin, for the third time.

  Exactly what are all these changes and skills that you have and we don’t that we are supposed to be so afraid of.

  I also have one better for you.

  As predicted by Michael and now by you. Can you or Michael show me anyone who has taken Michael’s four days classes and has actually replaced a photographer who has a college education in television broadcasting and real working experience?

• 

  Michael Rosenblum November 14, 2009

  I told Kevin he was wasting his time with you, but I guess he has to learn on his own. 😉

• 

  Kevin November 14, 2009

  Point taken.

• 

  Nino November 14, 2009

  Good ole Michael, just like old times, when you can’t come up with an answer just play the old “I can’t waste my time with you” routine. I gotta hand it to you Michael, you got these kids brainwashed, they are the best of the best, they are the future and they are all going to put us out of business, again and again.

  Let me show everyone again Michael revolution that was supposed to put us all out of business.

  “The only series produced by VJs Michael’s own “5Takes” has disappeared and not another VJ show was ever produced.

  “What’s you trip” with all the fanfare disappeared as fast as it came in. It was replaced by a pyramid scheme that is not capable of generating any revenue because is of no interest to anyone and is self supported by a small fraction of the tuition paid by new student. The bulk of the money goes into Michael and The Travel Channel Pockets. Very clever guys.

  CitizeNews, the clearing house for VJ, the Ebay for video quietly shut down after all the headlines that Michael gave it.

  And now Current TV.”

  These were the revolutionary changes that in two years (this was six years ago) were supposed to take over the video industry and put everyone with a good education in broadcasting out of business. According to Michael formal education and broadcasting training was totally unnecessary in this new age of production and a big waste, all it’s needed to succeed is $2500 for his four days of training.

  So what’s your next big revolutionary changes that will put us again out of business guys? I can’t hardly wait for this.

  A fatherly advice from….what you guys called me? oh yeah, “a washed out dinosaur of a photographer?” If you want to make it in this business, and the opportunities are plentiful for skilled people, get yourself a real education.

• 

  Nino November 14, 2009

  You are just amazing Michael, the sound is coming out of the kid’s mouth and I can hardly see your lips moving, how do you do it.

  Hey Kevin, please ask Michale what are these changes he is talking about it would you?

• 

  Michael Rosenblum November 14, 2009

  Tall enough for Mrs. Rosenblum (on my immediate right) 🙂

  https://www.rosenblumtv.com/?p=1224

• 

  Kevin November 13, 2009

  Nino,

  I’ve checked you out. One thing that is funny is that you are trying to market yourself as Michaels projects did years ago. You’re even using the same cameras that VJ’s used 4 and 5 years ago.

  I won’t tell you what I really think, because it would ruin the comedic relief efforts on your part.

  You’re part of the old school, who hates to see new blood and new ideas. If someone with your talent would embrace this new media, you could teach a lot of the younger generation in the finer art of film making. Instead you choose to fight a losing battle and be critical of something you don’t understand.

• 

  Nino November 13, 2009

  Market myself like Michael? Oh man, you sure know how to hurt people.

  So you know about me?

  I bet you don’t know that in addition to my regular big cameras I’ve owned every small camera since they start making them in 1988 starting with the very first industrial camcorder the Panasonic AG450SVHS the latest one is the Sony EX1/3.

  The innovative and revolutionary style and ideas that Michael is trying to pass as new has been done long before you and him were even born, the reason that no professional wants to do it is because it requires no talent, no skills and subsequently there’s no demand for it and of course like you’ve seen today on CurrentTV, and all the other VJ failures, when there’s no demand there’s no money either.

  I started my career as an Army photographer during the Vietnam War and most field photo and film assignments were done by OMB (One Man Band) All Michael did was to take an old and established method of production, he re-branded as VJ and called revolutionary.

  Now, as far as me hating young blood. My youngest son is my soundtech, we are actually the first father and son freelance team in broadcasting and I predict that in five years he will be able to take over a good portion of the business. I also have a subscription tutorial web site where I teach advance lighting techniques, I can tell you that most of the subscribers are VJ trying desperately to learn more so they can start making some money.

  I also volunteer and I’m a regular guest lecturer to several television and photography programs in most local High Schools, colleges and universities. I run an internship program where local student come along on assignment and I pay them $150 per day, it’s the best learning experience for them but they have to work of course. I’m also sponsored by a lighting company to conduct seminars across the country on advance lighting, camera and composition techniques. And if you ever go to NAB you’ll find me there giving seminars. Keep in mind that most of these events are sponsored by companies in the business and are free or have very small registration fees. I don’t do it for the money like Rosenblum does; I do it to help young people get into the business in the right way so they enjoy the success that I’ve been enjoying. After 40 good years in this business I’m giving something back.

  Fortunately the majority of kids that are serious about making a career in this business and smart enough to know and understand the importance of education; a four days training is not education.

  I’m not against young blood; but I’m totally against the laziness and ignorance that is destroying this country and I’m trying to make my part in my business and the only way to get ahead is with good education and training.

• 

  Kevin November 14, 2009

  WOW Nino, the NAB!

  You mean the same people who are screaming that wireless devices are taking up all of their digital signal. The same people who knew that digitization was coming for years, begged for an extension, got it, and still wasn’t ready. The same NAB who just released their first press release in 3 months, because they don’t know what to say or do about the changes? The same NAB that is ran by the same old school that you graduated from and wouldn’t know innovation if it jumped up and bit them in the ass? The same group of people who said stay the course and ad revenues for the membership are dropping at an unprecedented pace? The same group of people who are pleading with their membership for innovative ideas, because their membership is going broke due to new media of which they have no control of?!!?

  WOW! I am so impressed, why????

  This is why you’re pissed off. Things are changing, you can either sink or swim. You are out there training new kids to work in a dying world. You know journalists use to love the typewriter too.

• 

  Nino November 14, 2009

  Where did you ever get the idea that I’m pissed off. I’m having a ball paying back Michael after he tried to make us look like idiots. Next thing he is going to do is ban me from this blog like he did in the past.

  Trust me, If I was wrong he would be all over me.

  BTW, NAB is the largest broadcasting show on earth and attract an average of 120,000 people each year in Vegas. I also attend regularly the PPA Convention (Professional Photographers of America) and the PMA(Photo Marketing Association) among a dozen of less important conventions.

  And as far as technology goes, before you even know it exist I already tried out and evaluated so manufacturers can make changes before it hits the market.

  Not only I’m not afraid of changes, I’m one of many who contribute to the changes.

  And just for the record, what are these changes that you are so eloquently talking about it and I’m supposed to be in fear of?

• 

  Kevin November 14, 2009

  Awww! so the truth comes out. This is about pay back. Tried to make you look like idiots, hmmmm? Looks like he did a pretty good job.

• 

  Kevin November 14, 2009

  One more thing Nino,

  Check out this article from Yahoo News,
  http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20091114/ap_on_hi_te/us_nbc_past_and_future

  here is a direct quote from the article,

  “And those cable properties — more than the flagship “Peacock” network — were the draw for Comcast. By owning more content, Comcast further hedges its bets as mainly a distributor of shows in case viewers ditch their cable TV subscriptions and migrate to the Internet, mobile devices or a platform that has yet to emerge. The company could charge for the shows or sell ads wherever the viewers are.”

  Times they are a changing and you don’t want to face this reality. There will be a firestorm of media changes in the next 3 years and Michael and the rest of us will have the last laugh.

• 

  Michael Rosenblum November 13, 2009

  Nino
  I cannot understand why you waste your time here. I am sure the demands of your massive media empire must be of much more concern than our petty issues.

  In fact, I was just talking to Rupert Murdoch, and he said ‘I cannot give you an answer until I hear from Nino Giannotti. He and he alone truly understands the world of media’. I have to tell you, I was impressed.

• 

  Nino November 14, 2009

  Yes we discussed you briefly last night over dinner and Rup is okay with that, I put in a good word for you, so go ahead and ask him what you want.

  Massive Media Empire? WOW I’m nothing more that a poor emigrant, remember that? I’m one of the guys that you promised to put me out of business, you know, the dinosaur, the washed out, finished, unnecessary skills, out of touch with technology and all the others cute offensive remarks that you’ve been spreading around to make yourself look tall.

  Now, as a man when I make mistakes, and you sure made some big one, I would go back where it all started and apology, you’ll be surprised how fast you can turn enemies into friends. Some might even cooperate with you instead of you being chased away everywhere you go.

  It takes a big man to admit that they were wrong, you just haven’t grown that tall yet.

• 

  Cliff Etzel November 13, 2009

  This news I’m sure will be the fodder for the detractors but I will be the first to state that unless this experiment was tried, we would not have known whether it worked or not. I’m sure that this will be discussed on numerous forums as another failure of the solo vj model, but the bottom line is that more than likely – new skilled talent was gleaned from all the work submitted to Current and as such, this newly discovered talent will more than likely be given better projects to be broadcast on Current.

  Interesting times we live in..

• 

  Nino November 13, 2009

  Cliff, what we think and argue within the confine of these forums is totally meaningless and will not have any affect whatsoever on the success of anything, we are just venting. People will believe whatever they want to believe and will listen to whoever they want to listen. So if I told Michael over and over that it will never work it was just a statement. The ultimate judge and jury is the viewing public. That’s who we have to satisfy not each others. The public is ultimately responsible for our paycheck and the public has spoken loud and clear, and this is not the first time.

  The only series produced by VJs Michael’s own “5Takes” has disappeared and not another VJ show was ever produced.

  “What’s you trip” with all the fanfare disappeared as fast as it came in. It was replaced by a pyramid scheme that is not capable of generating any revenue because is of no interest to anyone and is self supported by a small fraction of the tuition paid by new student. The bulk of the money goes into Michael and The Travel Channel Pockets. It’s very clever but its still a scheme.

  CitizeNews, the clearing house for VJ, the Ebay for video quietly shut down after all the headlines that Michael gave it.

  And now Current TV.

  You see Cliff, it doesn’t matter what the “detractors” say, what really matter at the end is what the public watch.