Each year, I try to poll the industry and ask, "What are you thankful for?" I do this, not because it's an easy column to put together at the last minute on deadline day - shame on you for even thinking that way - but because we are truly interested.
Sometimes it's a tiny plug-in that makes a pro's life easier, sometimes it's a new tax incentive, but for David Shapiro, partner/executive producer at New York's Fluid, it has to do with his concern for a few of our aging, but still leather-clad, rock and roll icons. "I'm thankful that the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney have been able to continue finding sponsors to hire them to promote stuff. Lord knows they need the money."
Since David has taken us down this road, I'd like to go on record that I'm surprised yet thankful that velour is back in style. But I'm going to let Terry Curren, owner of AlphaDogs, gets us back on path. Thank you, Terry.
"I'm thankful that we didn't have any more ‘standards' added this year. Adding HDV2 last year to the ever-expanding plethora of formats was threatening to pop my cranium. I'm also thankful that Avid listened to their customer base and chose to create an HD Symphony. If they price it right, this could become the new standard for online conform. Finally I'm thankful that there are still people out there who care about quality. It can get very frustrating watching the "race to the bottom" in quality that seems to be an international goal. I've been fortunate in the last year to continue to work with people who still feel that quality is important, even if it appears to not be appreciated."
And Marc David Fishman, re-recording mixer at Todd-AO says this: "I am thankful for the opportunity I have to work with really talented colleagues and clients in the film community. Many of them are close friends and while most of our time together is spent in a dark room, I consider them my second family."
Fred Ruckel of Stitch is also thankful for co-workers. I am thankful for a great core staff that always exceeds my expectations. I am grateful for my clients that have become my friends so that work and play can co-exist. I am thankful that at IBC I learned my Inferno still is soooo much faster than the newest Flame. Lastly, I am thankful that our industry as a whole has picked up this past year."
And what about Howie Schwartz of HSR Recording? "I am thankful that television and radio advertising is NOT dead... and Napa Valley Silver Oak 2001."
What are you thankful for? Send me an email and we will run it online.