A Look at 2008

Merry Christmas dear constant reader, Merry Christmas and thank you again for returning. This blog is going to look back on 2008 at some of our projects and clients that I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work with.

In my role as a producer, I get the opportunity to meet all kinds of people from different industries. I like this a lot because it allows me the chance to see into bits and pieces of other people's lives and into professional fields I may not have otherwise been introduced to, ever. I feel that this helps me grow as a person and expand in the way I see life. An example of this, and perhaps an extreme example, is when we worked with professional wrestlers on Wrestling Reality and Kardinal Sinners. As a young child I was never drawn to wrestling as entertainment. In fact, I usually scoffed the idea of wrestling proclaiming that it was fake and, well, boring. However, after having the chance to work closely with Peter Smith, Mike Hughes, Rick Doyle, and Gary Gallant, amongst many others, I now have a certain appreciation for what these men put their bodies (families, friends, life in general) through just so that they can follow their dream. And although I still don't watch wrestling Saturday mornings, I certainly don't scoff at the sport anymore.

I suppose one of the biggest influences on me this year has been the insight I received while working with people in the world of professional coaching. People like Dave Veale , Mary Singh, and Kim Houlahan of Vision Coaching Inc., people like Brenda Hall of Life Unlimited, and extraordinary coaches such as Mary-Eileen Flanagan and Chandra Leavit. These leaders have brought me to next level of self-understanding, communication, and listening. They have taught me that even coaches need to be coached. To me, that's a very strong statement and it continues to resonate with me.

I enjoy reading a lot, so having the chance to meet the authors who participated in Opera Bistro's Books at the Bistro series this year was simply a delight. Authors Arthur Motyer, John Leroux, Bill Gaston, Budge Wilson & Elizabeth Epperley, Philip Lee, and Sally Armstrong were all very much engaging and humble. Hearing excerpts from their books and listening to them explain their point of views was a treat.

Music has also played a huge role in my life. It actually plays a huge role in all of our lives here at HHP. In fact, my background is in the recording (engineering) field. Before I worked with Greg at Hemmings House, Jon Williams and I ran a recording studio. Nothing fancy of course, but it was enough to pop out a few CDs for some local artists, which was far more than we had ever imagined it to be. So when we get the chance to work with musicians, it's always interesting. This year, like last year, we've worked with dozens. Here is a list of bands and festivals we've touched with our lenses: East Coast Music Awards (and all the concerts around the city), Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Evolve, Canada Day Countdown, Hola Festival, Pop Goes the 80s, Alexander Keiths' Birthday Bash, JSB, Jessica Rhaye, Chris Cummings, Matt Andersen, Ross Neilsen, Wintersleep, Slowcoaster, only to name a few.

Some of the most rewarding work that I've had a chance to be apart of was working with Belinda Allen of the Human Development Council. She hired us to make two videos: one at the beginning of the year, the other, at the end, both, equally rewarding. The first video was to raise awareness about homelessness in Saint John, New Brunswick. For this piece instead of using video cameras, Lauchlan decided to use his still camera (for affect) and just record voices. We (Belinda, Lauchlan, and I) interviewed dozens of homeless people and people in need of monetary assistance. Lauch cut the piece together perfectly. The second video was a much bigger job. Its goal was to raise awareness for National Housing Week. The video (and this time Lauchlan DID use a video camera) focused on housing development, both its wins and challenges. This video was very well received at several press releases and viewings across the city. Another two videos that were rewarding to work on were the two Andrew shot for this year's Empty Stocking Fund. Please watch them both: Pro Kids Video and Teen Resource Center Video. Andrew nailed both pieces shooting them and editing them -- brilliant work!

We always manage to work on a wide array of industries. Here are a few more videos and clients that we've worked with this year: Your Team Online (Sports Wire Live), District 6 Trades Video, UNBSJ E-Commerce Case Studies, Pam DeCourcey Real Estate, UNBSJ MBA Case Study, B.R.A.I.D., Halifax Port Safety Video, Mariner Partner, NB Solid Waste Association, Labatt Brewery of Canada, FatKat Animation PSAs, Ideas Festival, Wallace McCain Institute, Mayor Ivan Court, Dr. John Dornan, again, only to name a few.

Summing up our work in 2008 is a tough task to take on. So I won't. I will however say that all of us, the new and the veterans of HHP, have come a very long way since we first began with the company (wherever that may be along the timeline). Where we are now as a company is unbelievable to where we were when it first began. So much more goes into the mix now, and the output, well, in my opinion, is phenomenal. Lauchlan and Andrew blow my mind. Their work and creativity is second to none. I mean that. Second to NONE. Greg is so Global (using it as an adjective) it's scary. Sometimes I forget what continent he's in, but it doesn't matter because I know he lives and breathes HHP. Matt and Jon have been the glue, the backbeat, the drum and bass, that has kept us moving forward in a progressive direction. All of them, I'm proud of and proud to work beside them.

I'm genuinely excited for 2009. New office, working VERY closely with Mark Hemmings, heavy emphasis on television, documentaries, and all things music related. Should be a good year.

That's it for me. Let's talk in '09.

S. Foster
December 30th, 2008
At home. On a beige couch. With vanilla tea.

Been busy. It's alright though. Keeps the head out from the clouds. Lots going on at work. Projects here and there. Learning a lot from each. Taking away bits that "hit home".

Belinda Allen from the Human Development Council hired us to make an awareness video for affordable housing in Saint John. It went well. Lauchlan shot most of it and exceeded everyone's expectations. His last few projects have been nothing but increasingly better. He has really stepped up his game and pushed the envelope as far as quality and creativity. We interviewed close to two dozen representatives of various programs based in Saint John who aid people in priority neighbourhoods. Very enlightening. Took away lots.

Been trying my hand at directing. The running joke at work is that, as a producer, I'm basically a none creative secretary. Ra ra ra...However, I do have a creative background in music, audio engineering, videography, editing, and writing. Much of this goes untold. At work, I deal with the business side of things and delegate creatives to the crew. I love this position. Really, I do. If I didn't, Greg would push to let me do whatever I feel I could be best at, but this is what I WANT to do, and so, I do it. Nevertheless, when I am on shoots with lads and feel that I could create an interesting shot or make a suggestion to the framing or lighting or whatever, I want to be given that opportunity. And I doubt that anyone will have a problem with that.

Also got to do a couple pieces for the Empty Stocking Fund. Andrew shot these. Looks great. Excellent content. Good cause.

S. Foster
November 30th, 2008
At home. On a beige couch.

It's simple. It's gratitude.

Take a deep breath. Hold it in until you can't hold it in any longer. Pinch yourself. Widen you eyes. Stretch them open. Throw cold water on your face. Then hold your breath just a little longer. These are all things I've been doing to myself. Trying to believe that where I am in life is, in fact, not a dream and I am not still asleep somewhere. I love this place I'm in. It's surreal. Not many people get to wake up every morning and get excited about their jobs. Furthermore, especially not many people my age. So the context of this first post, this blog, is about me being grateful. It's about me recognizing how fortunate I am to be working with such amazing people, brothers really, in such an amazing place, and doing what I am so very passionate about. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't appreciate what I have. So thank you to all those who have encouraged me, guided me, coached me, trained me, believed in me, and loved me along the way.

S. Foster
July 25th, 2008
In the office. At my desk.

Oh, and PS:

When I said "brothers" above, I meant the guys I work with: Lauchlan, New Steve, Jon, Andrew, Greg, Ryan, Matt, and Jay. These are my real brothers though. I can't speak for everyone, but I wouldn't want to bump into these rough looking guys at night in an alley.