A VJ Success Story

Tony Martin, on left

Tony Martin.

We met him at NYU.

He took the Travel Channel bootcamp.

He was selected to be one of the VJs on 5Takes.

Then, we did not hear from him for some time.

Until this morning, when I got this email. Tony has gotten a new gig with Coke. He writes:

Yes sir.  I’m going to 206 countries/territories next year in search of happiness.  I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it all.

I’m the ‘video guy’ in my group.  That wouldn’t have been possible without you.  It’s so crazy Mike how it all happened.

With the Travel Channel Academy boot camp you gave me, you turned my hobby into a skill.  I said as much in my admission video.  It’s really nuts how much of an influence you have had.

First, after your lecture at NYU at the 5 Takes audition, you made me believe in one man, one camera, one laptop.  Truly believe.  Then, during the boot camp, you taught me what to do with the camera and the logic, concepts and basics of editing.  That was HUGE!  I got 13 weeks to practice and watch the pros do it on 5 Takes.

It was the foundation that you gave me that gave me a huge advantage.  I found myself in so many instances referring directly back to instructions you gave us.

To get selected for this, we had a week long interview process in Atlanta.  One of the activities they had us do was to split up into groups of three.  They would give us one hour to film and two hours to edit.  All they would say is that we were on a happiness journey in the city to find happiness and the rest was completely up to us.

When we got out there, I realized that I knew so much about what to do and I realized how much of it came from you.  Both times we ran this exercise, I was put with people who were not video geniuses.  From the beginning I said something like, “Hey, these are the rules.  You see that zoom button there?  Go ahead, play with it… that’s right touch it, use it, have fun with it…  Okay, now if I ever see you touch it again, I’ll break your fingers.”  I’d laugh and then tell them about how you told me that but how it rings true.  I’d tell them how to hold and frame their shots, how to not follow where the finger points but to pick that shot up later…  I’d constantly check sound, lighting… so many things that I got directly from you.

Then we got to the edit.  I’d tell my group about the story of a dog named fluffy, a story that you told me about how to tell a story.  I’d tell them how we needed to smack them in the mouth in the first shot, words I got directly from you.  Kelly, a girl selected to go on the trip with me, got used to working with me and whenever we had to edit a video, she’d instantly start looking for our, “smack ’em in the mouth,” shot.

I realized during that week how much of an edge you have given me.  You changed my life.  Your exact words, your voice, your guidance, still bounces around inside my head, telling me what to do.  You’re like Yoda!  Instead of light sabers, you’re arming the gifted with laptops, cameras and the ways of the force 🙂

Slowly but surely, you can see the niche build for one man, one camera, one laptop.  You were right.  It’s coming, if it is not here already.  I actually think Coke has it even better with the three of us.  We overlap and cover each other perfectly.  I hate finding sound for my vids.  The other guy is a music maker and writer.  The girl is a great photographer and wonderfully organized person. Together, we always have someone to hold the cam, someone for in front of the cam and someone for a second cam, or to grab release forms.  It’s perfect!

I’m writing this rambling book of a letter because I really want you to know how much you have done for me and how much I appreciate it.  During 5 Takes, I set out to become a better person, and I know that there were some rough spots, but I’ve taken a honest look at them and worked hard on become better at everything I do.

Michael, the things you taught me are priceless.  Thank you!  The opportunity that you and Pat gave to me really went so far beyond seeing new places and I appreciate it.

It’s stuff like that that makes this all so worthwhile.

Thanks Tony.