VisionMix

12/08/2024

You truly know how to make a girl feel special!

24/07/2024

At this stage of the game, working locations for the first time is always a pleasure, first project at the Lincoln Center. Had a wonderful time in the Big Apple, hot, humid, with lots of walking.

These 2-day projects are tough, you have a day for team building, technical configuration, and sharing of vision. Another day for rehearsal and show. All the while, meeting new folks and creating a spirit of “the collective.”

The Marvel production team and strong union labor for the win!

Final tally at end of set day, 27,663 steps 11.97 miles. Thankfully I had a late crew call the next day, slept like a baby.

30/06/2024

15/06/2024

Shamelessly soliciting votes…

02/05/2024

One of my fondest memories over the years has been bumping into members of my TV family while they were working on the broadcast teams at Staples/Crypto. As we bring our 25 seasons there to a close, I'm thrilled to share this message with them.

28/04/2024

Had an incredible time at Superchief Gallery for "Contagious Culture Vol. 4." The atmosphere was a vibrant fusion of the LA Underground (reminiscent of my youth,) and I felt personally elated to be included. Pick up the book—it's filled with beautiful images capturing the essence of the other side of LA, away from the Hollywood Bourgeoisie.

20/04/2024

If you find yourself in town next week, 4/27/24, I'd love for you to join me for the opening. I never imagined my shots being showcased as underground, but I'm thrilled to be part of the "scene" nonetheless.

Contagious Culture Vol. 4
Superchief Gallery LA
1965 South Los Angeles Street
LA, CA. 90011

26/03/2024

Returned to Wichita for a friend’s memorial, took a moment and visited the new School of Digital Arts at my Alma mater Wichita State, very impressive. If you know someone looking for a landing spot, check it out.

The School of Digital Arts encompasses Wichita State's Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) program, which includes concentrations in animation, audio production, filmmaking, game design and collaborative design.

20/03/2024

44 years after graduation I made it into “Shocker magazine, this is by far a career highlight. They used one of my 70s photographs of the auto club to create a then and now moment. Go Shockers!

18/03/2024

From the JX archives:

It was 1982, first gig post grad school, the startup of Satellite News Channel. 16 months later, my first corporate takeover and we wrapped. Our final week, put together a video demo, self-promotion before the internet. Oh, to be so young, optimistic, and naïve again. So, sit back and enjoy this 41-year-old flashback.

(Post SNC, startup of Home Team Sports, followed by a stint at NBC O&O WRC-4 until the NABET strike of 1987, which marked the beginning of my LA Story.)

11/03/2024

One of the 7 deadly sins, but I take great pride in this credit, my favorite of the year, Oscars 2024.

04/03/2024

Proud to have been a union member for a majority of my career. IATSE, NABET, IBEW and DGA. Each afforded me a quality of life in this capitalist society.

Will forever be a supporter of labor unions.

25/02/2024

“I would like to thank the Academy.”

Gratitude to have completed my Oscar trifecta once again, Governors, Nominations, and Sci-Tek. Each event was a testament to the seamless collaboration between production and technical prowess, blending art with technology. It's always a joy to collaborate with such a talented and dedicated group of individuals in our industry. To all of you, I extend my heartfelt thanks, I appreciate you all.
Love & Peace
JX

24/02/2024

So many memories working together in the studio and field, so many laughs and smiles shared. I love Pat dearly and so thankful I had a chance to see him, get a big hug and let him know how much he meant to me as a person. Many of you heard me say, “as we age our elders become our ancestors.” But now I must add “our peers become memories,” let’s not hesitate to let each other know how we feel.

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

06/02/2024

Please follow (Twitter/X & Instagram) for future photo and video art exhibits.

02/02/2024

I kicked off at UCLA Anderson School of Management, speaking on the panel “Why Representation Matters” where I was joined by Kristina T Wilson and Daniel Forkkio to talk about the importance of having inclusion in front of and behind the camera, presented by BBSA, Net Impact, and EMA.

Moderated by Nkemdilim Chukwuma and Jeffery Sullivan

Had a wonderful time, hopefully my words inspired and gave insight into their future journey.

31/01/2024

I've been invited to kickoff Black History Month this year with UCLA Anderson School of Management! I'll be speaking on the panel, "Why Representation Matters" to discuss why the inclusion of Black and other diverse voices within the entertainment industry is important to our society, and how it impacts the creative process at all levels. I've spent my career mentoring and supporting people of all backgrounds, so I'm excited to share my experiences with UCLA students. Conversations like these also support the Art of Collaboration that has guided my work, as a director, educator, and mentor.

23/01/2024

#2 of the Oscar trifecta is officially in the books, marking yet another splendid collaboration between production and technical teams. In a tight 24-hour window, we pulled off excellent ex*****on, showcasing the power of seamless teamwork and coffee.

One of the consistent highlights of working at the Academy is the photo collection adorning the building, a blend of both old and new. And I cannot deny the unique thrill that accompanies receiving the final script, delving into the names of nominees before the information becomes public knowledge.

All in all, a testament to the dedication of the team, the creative energy that flows effortlessly, and the sheer excitement that accompanies being at the heart of the action, and coffee.

Today was a good day…

10/01/2024

The Academy Governors Awards went exceptionally well, showcasing an excellent collaboration between our technical and production teams.
Thank you to all.

14/12/2023

I love a blank canvas, the team meeting, department heads, concepts defined and confirmed. Let the Award season begin.

12/12/2023

From the JX Archives, in honor of E3, here is my eSports/Gaming reel with some of my favorite E3 moments.

Over the past decade I’ve had the opportunity to work with some outstanding content creators in the eSports and Gaming genre, the “Art of Collaboration”…

12/12/2023

Nothing last forever in the freelance world, good times were had, technical and creative boundaries reached.

04/12/2023

One of the most heartwarming compliments I've received in my 36 years as a freelancer.

01/12/2023

It’s a wrap in Vegas, I love working with the next generation, bringing old school principals and techniques to the digital generation of “content creators,” the future of our industry.

The hybrid was beautiful.

29/11/2023

The beauty of being a freelancer is meeting new people, learning new approaches and vision. In return, the growth of your TV family, bringing old school principles to the next generation.

21/11/2023

Sending immense love and respect to my DGA Directors team. Together, we turned the impossible into reality through the brilliance of efficient movement and organization. There's truly nothing better than the power of union labor.

15/11/2023

10/11/2023

Back in 1987, I made the move to LA, and this was my address. Fast forward 36 years, and for the first time, I chose not to renew. Surprisingly, the impact hit me harder than I anticipated.

13/10/2023

Following a six-month strike hiatus, returning to the chair felt like a thrilling level 100 e-ticket adventure. Immense appreciation goes to my camera team, who painted the visual canvas so brilliantly. A special shout-out to vision mixer Jason; though we've known each other for decades, this was our first collaborative project, and it was a blast. Heartfelt gratitude to the Amazon production team for their warm welcome and openness to my creative. Thank you all for making this experience unforgettable!

19/09/2023

As I stand with the technical team preparing for the final telecast of "Dodger Baseball" on KTTV Ch.11 Los Angeles, I can't help but gaze at the date and reflect upon the incredible journey I've embarked upon. It all began after the NABET strike of 1987, when I took a leap of faith and relocated to Los Angeles, a city where I knew no one. Those initial months found me perched in the Hollywood hills, and soon, I found myself in San Diego. It was a challenging time, and the only job I could secure was at Jack Murphy Stadium, where I was the scoreboard TD, for Chargers, Padres, and Aztec games. However, those moments watching the feeds from the mobile trucks and studying their productions laid the foundation for what was to come.

Years rolled on, and a golden opportunity arose to become a Technical Director for NMT (National Mobile Television, thank you Larry & Liz). That's when the tides truly began to turn. From the Lakers to the Clippers, Dodgers to the Angels, College sports, to ESPN, CBS, Prime Ticket, the Olympics, and, two years later, the monumental 1994 launch of the NFL on FOX, from sports to entertainment, my journey took flight.

Today, as I look at the date on this photograph, I am filled with gratitude for the path I've walked and the opportunities that have come my way.

It's a testament to the resilience and determination of a freelancer's life.

The journey continues, and I am ready for whatever lies ahead.