Legacy Media Lab

07/14/2023

One of my greatest professional strengths is doing video interviews. Throughout my career I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with CEOs, politicians, A-list celebrities, medical experts, and a multitude of cutting-edge professionals in a broad spectrum of fields. Being genuinely interested in people helps a lot, as does doing extensive background research. Both allow me
to quickly build rapport, ask interesting questions and pave the way for usually fascinating conversations. This showreel here features three celebrity interviews—Diane Lane, Jeff Bridges and Jake Gyllenhaal. As a former actor myself, these were especially enjoyable. The reel also includes a few hosting segments which is another very gratifying part of my work as a writer and producer. Do let me know if you have any favorites and why—I’d be interested in your thoughts!

04/05/2023

Watch now (29 min) | Standing in the Gap

04/04/2023

Friends, we're excited to share with you the launch of our latest documentary "Standing in the Gap" about the courageous doctors and nurses fighting for medical freedom. They are building an alternative health care system that is not beholden to the pharmaceutical industry or the special interests that would deceive and enslave us. It's always an honor to advance worthy causes such as this with passionate storytelling and give a platform to these brave men and women who have risked it all.
You will be shocked, you will be inspired, you will be changed. You can view it for free for a short time only. As a thank you, please leave us your comments. Enjoy "Standing in the Gap."

This is "Standing in the Gap" by Legacy Media Lab on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

12/20/2022

07/29/2022

It has launched! After weeks of work, our company, Legacy Media Lab has just completed a giant LED video wall for LKQ, a global corporate client. Russell is showcasing his amazing design talents with an 8-screen, 22-foot-wide by 12-foot-high art piece that's transformed the company's lobby into a dazzling visual experience. Together, we also created a 60-second branding video with fast-moving visuals and effects that blaze on individual screens simultaneously. We think it's pretty cool. Check it out here and let us know what you think!

07/03/2022

05/18/2022

SPEAKING WITH WORDS THAT BUILD CONNECTIONS

How do we build bridges in a media-driven world that's divided us along the lines of ideology, values and aspirations?

I sat down with California Republican Assembly candidate Emily Hibard to unpack helpful strategies needed for these crucial conversations.

Enjoy this 15-minute podcast and let me your thoughts here.

https://emilyhibard.com/s2-e6-marion-pyle/

04/26/2022

THE 3 THINGS CONSULTANTS MUST CONSIDER – AND OFTEN DON’T

If you’re a consultant, landing a new client is always exciting. Whether the contract was hard won or the referral came easily, closing a deal is energizing and affirming.

The project gets off to a great start with lots of enthusiasm but what happens on those occasions when the project suddenly hits the “messy middle” and momentum turns to mud? Consultants are often left scratching their heads when communication becomes obtuse and they face inexplicable delays.

As one who’s hired many consultants throughout the years, here’s a peek down the rabbit hole from the inside.

In large organizations if project consensus is required from key stakeholders in various departments, competing priorities will inevitably slow down the approval process.

Here's what consultants need to know:

1) Like you, the Project Manager is under immense pressure to stay on schedule. You may never know the battles they fight every day, so resist the temptation to assume the worst about their leadership. It may have nothing to do with their organizational skills and everything to do with the company culture or politics. They especially don’t need you to ratchet up the stress level so they feel it from both sides. Always keep things friendly and professional and look for creative ways to keep moving things forward.

2) If delays persist, there could be staff reshuffling, budget cuts or other internal issues that are hindering the project. Sometimes, internal staff is jealous of consultants because they feel their own talents have been overlooked. They can deliberately make things very difficult. Help your Project Manager by writing a letter highlighting the key milestones as agreed upon in the contract. Include the relevant contract sections. FedEx that letter before the schedule becomes unmanageable. This gives the PM objective ammunition to push for approvals because that letter is a legal document. Should the project implode and things end up in arbitration, you’ve protected your interests without it ever becoming personal.

3) If your schedule allows and you can hang in until the project gets back on track, do it. The times when I’ve had to shepherd difficult projects to the finish line and my consultants gracefully stayed the course, I always rewarded them with special favor when the next project came around. In fact, I built lasting professional relationships with several of them.

Next time a project you’re working on hits a major speed bump, assume the best even as you consider your options. Learning how to successfully navigate the challenges and being a pleasure to work with sets you apart just as much as the quality of your results. As Henry Ford said, “When everything seems to be against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

(https://legacymedialab.com)

04/04/2022

04/04/2022

Tips to Shine Like a Pro During Media Interviews

In our media-driven world today, the rules of the game have completely changed. What used to be trustworthy, fact-based reporting has, in many cases, become an agenda-driven, opinion-based and often dishonest industry. Though primarily because of an election-year, this trend can also be felt across every industry.

Anybody who interacts with the media today—mainstream or otherwise—cannot afford to underestimate the preparation needed to increase their chances of skillfully advancing their mission, message and brand.

So, why are so many mistakes made all the time?

I recently heard a podcast interview with a young political candidate. She’s smart, educated, and poised. She’s worked for important people. She’s covered in the pixie dust of high-profile party endorsements. And yet, she absolutely bombed during the interview.

The well-known program host clearly had an agenda and knew his guest had an achilles heel. He began with some simple, but trick questions. She answered poorly. Emboldened, he continued his line of questioning. With every response, just she sunk her deeper into the quicksand.

It was a hit job, to be sure. But, had she been prepared with the right tools, she could have taken control of that interview early on, reframed the conversation and focused on the real issues. Instead, the event was a painful embarrassment and her campaign has failed to gain momentum.

What could she have done differently? Here are just 3 tips that anyone can use:

1. Research. The candidate’s team should have researched the journalist and the outlet to learn about their biases and agendas before her interview. That kind of information is out there, especially with popular shows. When it’s your turn to interview, never go in blind!

2. Be Aware. Good journalists are intelligent, intuitive and discerning. Ruthless ones are also cunning and unethical. Both possess many tools and techniques to build rapport quickly and win your trust. Careful! What you want and what the media wants are not always the same thing! A media interview is a professional transaction, not coffee with a friend.

3. Memorize Your 3 Key Messages. You should know these so well, you can skillfully transition them into the interview no matter what questions are asked. But your points must be concise, interesting and relatable. Why should anybody care? What value do you or your brand bring to people’s lives? Be prepared to articulate these messages clearly and convincingly, in 60 seconds or less, and you'll never waste an interview opportunity.

Media Training offers dozens more valuable lessons, tools and techniques to help you advance your mission and brand, avoid making costly mistakes and shine like a pro. Here’s to your success! (https://lnkd.in/gAZCGM2s)



https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6916847304729640961/

04/01/2022

CAN TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS BE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES IN DISGUISE?

There it is. A blank screen. You’re staring at it. It’s staring back at you.

“I dare you to create something,” it taunts. “Make it memorable.”

And so your journey begins with a new client. How are you going to tell their story? What will make it stand out? Resonate? Get the job done? Be memorable?

The creative process is never easy, especially if your client’s universe is new to you.

I remember a time when we were hired to create a video series to teach librarians ways to effectively, compassionately and respectfully interact with the waves of people experiencing homelessness that flooded the California libraries every day.

The homeless were looking for a refuge from the streets, the weather, shattered lives, and, often, debilitating mental illness.

The librarians were seeking new tools and equipping as to how to juggle unpredictable daily situations with challenging individuals while also ensuring the safe, smooth running of their departments for their regular young and adult patrons.

The needs on both sides were huge and there were no quick fixes.

We took a deep, deep dive and interviewed social workers, psychologists, public officials, rescue mission leaders, pastors, law enforcement, homeless individuals, and, of course, librarians themselves. Slowly, we gained insight, understanding…and collected dozens of extraordinary stories. Some of them took our breath away, others made us cry. All of them gripped our hearts with truths about our fragile humanity.

Suddenly, this initially tough assignment became a passion project. We created script after script of lessons learned from true events that equipped, edified and transformed. We worked closely with our clients to ensure they could ‘see’ and support our approach. Despite the complexity of working with teams from four separate very large state entities (topics for another post), to everyone’s credit, they caught the vision. We were able to cast wonderful actors, hired talented cinematographers, costume designers, and make-up artists. We secured interesting locations, and filmed many episodes over a period of several months.

As the web series rolled out, the universally positive feedback came rolling in. “Amazing!” “Absolutely wonderful!” “Can’t wait to share it!” And, what you always want to hear from your clients: “Exceeded expectations!”

The California Mental Health Initiative series (as it was called) went on to win two Telly Awards, and Legacy Media Lab got hired to produce Season Two. We’re very proud of this work, grateful to have collaborated on something so meaningful, deeply gratified that it helped uplift, equip, and encourage our amazing librarians, and, ultimately, that the series helped reaffirm the humanity in all of us.

You watch some of the episodes, click here: https://lnkd.in/d-z4aJe8

Contact us for a free consultation!



https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-mackenzie-pyle-a657095/recent-activity/