Notes From The Production Side

Anita with Anita's Diabetes Menus DVD

Working Class

While working closely with Anita (who also happens to be my wife of almost 38 years) does have its perks, our continuing investment of time and sweat equity in producing her cooking show together is an interesting exercise in diplomacy and tact, although I must admit that I'm still learning these skills.  Since I have years of experience in NOT telling her what to do in our day-to-day interactions, but have also logged an equal time period spent professionally directing on-camera talent, I realize that Anita must be cutting me massive amounts of slack during the challenges of shooting her show since my directions to her tend to be rather direct and to the point (which most likely could be construed by others as downright curt).

So, luckily for me, Anita, the performing artist, exemplifies forgiveness and professionalism, and it shows on the screen.

Music to Our Ears

Editing has begun on the second Anita's Diabetes Menus cooking show series of DVDs. And, like the first disc of five programs, I personally produced all the theme and background music myself.

I'm finding that composing and recording the music for the programs is one more appealing aspect of creating these shows.  Using GarageBand on my iMac is a hoot and gives me all the recording and editing tools I need to create multitrack tunes that can be adapted for Anita's series.  But, the best part is that we actually own the rights to all the music I make.  No needle-drop or license fees for us.  Nuh-uh. 

However, in the last year or so we have made a substantial investment in musical instruments, microphones and other recording gear needed to build a professional quality recording kit.  But, having creative control and ownership seems worth the expense.  Plus, it just feels right.

I can only hope that our accountant allows us to take deductions for my guitars, bass guitars, midi keyboard, claves, canjo, bowed psaltery, amplifiers and assorted other stuff used to make the tunes for our DVD series.

Our Artistic Bottom Line

Working on Anita's show also makes us respect and admire the work done by other media artists everywhere.  Original ideas flow from the heart and hands (and sometimes feet), and while many times they are not truly appreciated for their many hours of labor, musicians, actors, and other pro artists in all creative pursuits can usually sleep at night with the knowledge that they can get up the next day and personally invent something from nothing. Sometimes other people will even pay for it.

Most of the working artists that I have come in contact with during my career that eek out a living creating original, high-quality art/product don't do it for the money, per se. Neither do they do it because they hope to be famous.  Most do it because they want to give to others what they have to give, which is called talent.  It's the particular trick they do that makes them an individual, a one-of-a-kind phenomenon, and truth teller: an artist.  

I believe we need more artists in the world.

Can I get any thoughtful comments on this final observation?