me and Alice in Chains' Jerry CantrellIf I feel like putting myself out there for either a prolonged "ME" conversation (which if you know anything about me, that's one of least favorite topics) or get sucked into an exchange that ultimately culminates with someone saying "you need to check out my XXX's band (insert any family member's name/relation), you could cover them in Premier Guitar. I don't want there to be a misconception to friend's and family who are really interested in what I do (but there are times I cringe when I hear those words ooze out of someone's mouth).
But anyhow, here is a snippet in the life of an Associate/Video Editor of a guitar magazine.
One of my biggest roles is shooting/editing video (and sometimes working as talent) for PG's website. This role has taken me to some great destinations on any gearhead's bucket list (like Mesa Boogie, Ernie Ball Music Man, 65 Amps, EMG Pickups, Diamond Amplification, NAMM Shows, Santa Cruz, Premier Builders Guild, and others). In addition, with the advent of our Rig Rundown segment (where we go to concerts and have the artist and/or their tech walk us through their current live setup and gear) I've met some great musicians (Alice in Chains Jerry Cantrell, John Mayer, Mastodon, Stephen Carpenter of Deftones, Reverend Horton Heat, Hank Williams III, Tim Mahoney of 311, John 5, Tim Reynolds, Social Distortion, Testament's Alex Skolnick/Eric Peterson, Exodus, Baroness, and Clutch). Initially I came on to PG as just as an editor, but the role of the magazine and our importance of the website dictated me to adapt to a multimedia journalist. (I joke that I got my degree in Journalism at Iowa, but I got my masters degree in video editing and photography at PG-U making me a 'multimedia editor'.) I've learned all my video editing and photography on the fly while working full-time. On top of these things, I do video reviews, video demos at shows like NAMM, Summer NAMM, NY and LA Amp Shows, and the highly-intensive factory tours at the aforementioned facilities.
Here are two of my best video-editing examples showcasing what I've learned thus far on staff at PG -- Factory Tour: Premier Builders Guild & Factory Tour: Ernie Ball Music Man Guitars & Basses.
As mentioned above, I've taken on some additional duties as a photographer--mainly because I often go to concerts and just thought it made sense to shoot artist gear and photograph the show to possibly have some "Opening Notes" photography within the PG mag. On top of of having shots of Dave Matthews, Jerry Cantrell, James Valentine, Mike Ness, Dave Mustaine, my photography of guitarists' pedalboards recently were used to great a PG online photo gallery is now the highest clicked article of all-time on PG.com! In addition to all of this, I've even had my photography featured on my very first cover (Crossroads 2010 feature, September 2010)!!
And lastly, my first role at PG--a writer/editor. Even as an intern, I wrote clips and even a feature on Travel-sized guitars (not because of my phenomenal chops, but mainly because that is the nature of small, upstart company). But now, with my responsibilities spread across three different areas, my current print duties include writing monthly print sections (Modern Builder Vault, Guitar of the Month, New Products, occasional Media Review, and the semi-regular feature either online or in the magazine like interviews with Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy, James Valentine of Maroon 5, John Butler, and 311's Tim Mahoney). After three years at the magazine, I've even had the chance to co-write two cover stories (Experience Hendrix and Crossroads 2010).
With the assistance and guidance of current editorial PG leaders Joe and Shawn, I've really sharpened and honed my skills in all three areas. In addition, I've learned a lot from colleagues on being hard-working, having an unrelenting dedication, and the realization that today's media setup and outlook requires not only more than a 40 hr. work week, but an unconventional and very Flubber-ish schedule.
While I started this post by saying I don't like talking much about me (which is the direct opposition of not only this post, but blogging in general), I at least now have a portal I can send people when they ask me the obligatory first-meeting question "what do you do?"
(I'd like to take this time to not only thank my family for their unwavering support, but also the love, compassion, and mostly-understanding perspective from my fiance Candice.)
