While in the attic at my parents home, I was suprised and ecstatic to discover the source of one of my 1st memories on this earth; a homemade reel to reel linear film editing system. This is where my passion for creating film, video, and TV began.
For the purpose of this photo, I placed the system in the exact spot of my memory from approximately 1980.
What is even more poignant, is that the American flag was stored right next to it in the attic. I found this in April, 2016, just days before I was about to be part of a walk across America during the Route for The Brave. I couldn’t help the feeling that this was destiny.
November 27, 2017 marked the 20th anniversary of starting my own video production business. I am so thankful that I am able to have a career based around my passion of video / filmmaking.
My adventures began sitting with my mother in the living room as she showed me how to splice 8mm film. I then moved on to borrowing whatever film / video camera she had and directing skits with my cousins at grandma's house.
My first "public showing" of a video work was at Michiana First Assembly of God where I had video taped every home game of their basketball team that year. They were the Eagles. The video was called "Illegal Eagles" and was edited together utilizing 2 VCRs and a homemade audio mixer. The VCR tapes sold out instantly. I was hooked! That was 1995.
After working in a sign factory for a couple years, I realized that I was meant for something bigger. I was a very hard worker in that factory but I was just missing something. I went to the CEO and told him that I had a recent epiphany and wanted to start my own video production business. He wished me the best and said I could come back anytime as I was a hard worker.
I then went to Old Kent Bank and took out a loan for $10,000 and invested it in the most capable computer of the time and components that could handle non-linear editing. It was a 200MHZ HP monster, Lol.
My first paid gig was the next month where I was hired to create a fun little Christmas video for a local vet clinic in Cassopolis, MI. They loved it. I was excited!
On Jan 3, 2000 I teamed up with Gary Martin of Michiana Video in Elkhart, IN where I was surrounded by higher end gear and absorbed as much as I could from Gary's experiences in the business. He remains a business partner and best friend to this day, more than 18 years later.
I continued doing typical video work (weddings, corporate videos, etc...) until Oct 2000 when I heard about an oportunity to work with Oscar nominated director John Hancock in nearby Laporte, IN. After showing up everyday (an hour drive each way) and asking to be allowed into the editing suite, then reading through about 5 manuals to learn the AVID, a different non-linear system than the Adobe Premiere that I had been working with for a few years, they hired me into a Assistant Editor position. Changed my life on a couple different levels.
More varied types of production for a few years. Then in 2008, I created my first TV show called NightlightsTV which aired in the northern Indiana / southern Michigan (Michiana) area. I created it from scratch with nothing but a vision in my head and passion in my heart. It presented local nightime restaurants, bars, and attractions in an entertaining way and was so successful that I moved it to the much larger market of Indianapolis in 2010 where it continued for a couple more years.
After it ran it's course for about 5 years in 2012, I then assumed production responsibilities and became 1 of 3 executive producers of Real Scene which aired regularly on WTHR.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, in 2011 I assumed production responsibilities for the Indy Visitors Channel and partnered with it's CEO Chris Walczak to present Indianapolis businesses and attractions to visitors to the city. I continue production on the IVC to this day.
In 2015, I created In the Loop TV Show which was my most ambitious undertaking yet, airing every Sunday night at 10:30p and utilizing 4 hosts to take you in and around Indianapolis and introducing viewers to amazing business and interesting people. It was a LOT of work but so rewarding and created memories with some amazing people (Noah Winston, Jon Bausman, Jade Johnson Wallace, Erica Stikeleather, and Kaylyn Easton).
Recently, in 2016, I began shooting for my documentary as two men (David V. Roth and Kevin Winton) walked across the United States under Helping Hands for Freedom - HHFF to benefit gold star military families and vets suffering from PTSD. Another life changing experience.
With 2018 in high gear and my horizons expanded, I have some big things in the works with my partner in crime Renée Michelle Merrifield by my side.
I've never been more excited for the future...
I am so thankful for all of your support.
