That's me in the photo wearing the headphones.

Tammy Joy Losey (Diamond)
directing a live 4 camera video shoot of former President Bill Clinton speaking to a large audience at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA., on September 15, 2012.

The video footage we captured that day was edited to create a well produced television commercial for Democratic candidate Jay Inslee. He won.  Now he is Governor Jay Inslee.

I worked with a representative of the advertising firm that produced the spot. She is pictured next to me on the right.            She's the one with the big smile.
I smiled when she sent me these photos we took using her 
cell phone.

In addition to the commercial, another client hired us to project video of the event's speakers onto screens staged throughout the room. I was working for Northwest Staging and Sound, Ron Geier and Bob Barnes.

Dateline: September 15, 2012     

An enthusiastic crowd listens while President Bill Clinton shares his many reasons for endorsing candidate Jay Inslee for governor during the Democratic campaign fundraising event inside the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.

Sharing his goals for America, Clinton eloquently described how we can create a stronger economic climate while being environmentally sensitive by investing in education, technological innovation and sustainable businesses. His years in public speaking polished to a friendly, accessible and interesting tone.

Candidate Jay Inslee’s speech mirrored many of Clinton’s points with a localized angle and proposals for how he, as governor, can help grow Washington’s future. His mention of his connection to family life and business interests in communities both east and west of the Cascades, distinguishes him from his opponent. His service to Washingtonians as a congressman, he points out, prepares him to be an effective governor for our state.

Critique:

The composition of the camera shot being projected upon the screens was far from ideal. I did not get to direct the placement of the camera platform and was not on site to argue for a change during the set-up of the room for the event.

Tammy’s Tip:  Although some people may have strong opinions and attitudes, not everybody has the true experience of knowing what works better in visual presentations. It's worth turning on the gear to show people with conflicting ideas the reasoning behind the director’s request so they can see, first-hand, how the image through the camera lens will, or will not look, for the preferred video presentation prior to the lock down of production equipment and the start of the event.

Background Story:

Upon my arrival I noticed that the cameras needed to be moved closer to the stage in order to capture better shots of the speakers on stage. 

I quickly requested that they be moved but was told the camera platforms were set and could not be moved. I was not pleased and was curious why they had such inadequate placement. 

My AV crew described how they had been directed by management forces, other than our own; to set the camera platforms at designated spots to make room for the banquet tables and chairs. 

If you have worked with me as a producer you know that I am not afraid to ask for what will work the best for recording and projecting the subject matter for the audience. 

(They didn't ask me, or I would have told them and shown them myself, while expressing empathy for their plight as a former banquet waitress, how we could make it work for everybody, including the audience.)

I did manage, however, to reset the side camera’s platform several feet closer to the stage improving the angles for recording. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to rearrange the dining room to allow the camera getting the live footage for projection to change locations.