TV Confidential - Meet the Crew

It takes a large staff to film a documentary (even if it is a mock-documentary), just as it takes many people to mount a television production. Here, you can meet some of people who toiled behind the scenes to make TV Confidential a reality:

MICHAEL SPENCER

MICHAEL SPENCER, Producer-Director
Michael served as producer and director of the TV Confidential videoproject. In his words, "My job, as producer-director, is to make sure the many elements that make up the production are rounded up, corralled and ready for the rodeo." Michael created the ideas and storylines that the actors used as jumping off points for their improvisational scenes and then worked with the actors to refine them. When characters were interviewed on-screen, Michael served as the off-screen presence asking the questions the actors responded too. In addition, Michael went through the hours and hours of video footage shot during the production and edited it down to the finished product the viewer gets to see.

Michael also served as producer-director on KRMA's previous media literacy video, TV Planet. This is just one of the many educational films that he has directed and produced. Michael studied film at New York University and works with a diverse range of clients, in addition to the educational sector, including the Arts and Entertainment network and the Library of Congress.

Michael says he was first drawn to film and video by the complete unreality of it all. He used to draw comic books and says he "enjoyed creating entire worlds that you'd look at, like little snapshots, through the comic panels." He adds that "with television and film there's the added advantage that everything moves. It's a three-dimensional comic book."

TOM DUDZINSKI

TOM DUDZINSKI, Executive Producer
As President of Renaissance Media, the company that was hired by Rocky Mountain PBS to produce TV Confidential, Tom served as an Executive Producer of the program. Tom and Michael, the Producer/Director, worked together to come up with a treatment (the style, look and feel of a program) that would be interesting and entertaining, while delivering all of the messages about media literacy. Tom also handled the business aspects of the production, including developing budgets and writing contracts with other individuals and companies. Throughout the production process Tom reviewed production progress, and worked with Michael to make sure that we were producing the best program possible for within the time and budget that were allocated, and that our client, Rocky Mountain PBS, was informed and satisfied with the production process.

In college, Tom studied communications. For several years he worked as a Producer/Director at the University of Michigan Hospital, producing educational videos for health care professionals. Next, he worked at two PBS stations, creating programs for local and national broadcasts. In 1987, he founded Renaissance Media, an independent production company, which continued to produce television programs, as well as videos and multimedia for companies and educational institutions across the country. Tom stays on top of the changes in the industry by attending workshops, reading professional journals, surfing the Internet, and meeting with professional colleagues. Tom's favorite part of his job is learning about the subject matter of the projects he produces, such as learning about Media Literacy while producing TV Confidential.

DAN FLENNIKEN

DAN FLENNIKEN, Executive Producer
Currently, Dan is a Lecturer in Media Technology at Mesa State College. When TV Confidential was produced, Dan Flenniken was Director of Education and Lifelong Learning for Rocky Mountain PBS. Working with a staff of 6-8 people, he was responsible for the development and delivery of RMPBS education services to clientele ranging from preschoolers to adults. Dan received a Master's Degree in Communications from the University of Colorado. He has taught at the high school and college level and has been involved in public broadcasting for almost 20 years as a producer and project manager.

His role in TV Confidential: coordinating with the project's funders (The Colorado Trust), establishing initial goals for the project and identifying / hiring key people to carry out the TV production and writing functions. His role now becomes one of evaluating the results of the project and identifying needs for further content development in media literacy.

RON SCHUKAR

RON SCHUKAR, Media Literacy, Content Coordinator
Ron served as the media literacy content reviewer on the production of TV Confidential. He ensured that the subject matter and relevant information about media literacy were included in the program. In addition, Ron developed the teacher's guide that accompanies the program. He also has a cameo in the newsroom during the KCAT segment.

Ron works as the Media Literacy Project Coordinator at Rocky Mountain PBS. The Colorado Trust funds the Media Literacy Project to RMPBS. Ron has a background in educational program and curriculum design and development. Ron has spent over 20 years dedicating his professional life to innovative educational programming.

SHERYL CARDOZO Web Site Content Developer / Production Assistant
Sheryl wore two hats during the development of the TV Confidential Video. She served as the director’s production assistant, and developed the content for the Web site you are currently exploring. As the production assistant, Sheryl was responsible for marking each of the scenes, allowing the director to easily locate each shot while editing. As content developer, Sheryl investigated other media literacy sites and created the activities and discussion points or the classroom and parent sections of the site. Then, she worked closely with the technology and design team to create the site. Sheryl also has a cameo appearance in the video as Federico’s production assistant in the Choppy Noodles segment.

Sheryl holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Theatre Arts and Women’s Studies from Brown University and a Master’s degree in arts and education from The Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has worked in educational theatre for many years, and has been developing web site content for two years. She is delighted to be able to use her experience in media literacy and violence prevention together with her skills in video and content production for TV Confidential.

ELLEN ETHREDGE

ELLEN ETHREDGE, Website Designer
Ellen designed the Website you are looking at right now! Without her, the site would be only text, with no graphics or design, and none of the hyperlinks would go anywhere! Thanks to Ellen’s expertise, the site is fun to look at and easy to navigate. You can also spot Ellen in a cameo role in the Joey Sellar segment of the video.

Ellen has been with Rocky Mountain PBS for almost four years. Her education includes graphic design, engineering and Web multimedia design. She has designed several Websites for RMPBS including the Kids Club site, Jazz in Five Points site and the education site.

DAVID ACHILLES

DAVID ACHILLES, Videographer / Editor
During the TV Confidential shoot, David was responsible for doing the actual "shooting" - or gathering of the footage you see in the video. David was responsible for coordinating all of the camera equipment, making sure it was in working order, as well as operation of the camera. Some of the scenes posed interesting challenges, such as the KCAT news footage in the moving car, when David had to crouch in the back seat while the car was moving. David also helped Michael, the director, compose shots and decide what angles would work best. After the production was shot, David became an editor, responsible for finishing the images into the completed piece. After Michael selected and assembled the shots he wanted to use, David refined them and applied audio equalization and color correction to fine tune their placement in the show.

David holds a Bachelors in communication, with additional coursework in photography and editing. While he says that some in his field would claim the 4-year bachelor's is unnecessary, he says that there are places that won't hire you without it – "so get a B.A.!" To do his job effectively, he feels the best background includes the information gained through formal instruction as well as the experience gained from hands-on experience.

SARAH NEWBERRY

SARAH NEWBERRY, Production Coordinator
As Production Coordinator, Sarah was responsible for a multitude of details involving the video production. Pre-production, Sarah scouted locations, organized extras, rented costumes, bought props and built sets. Her task on taping days was to track tape, record scene takes and arrange for last minute items. In addition, Sarah's extensive technical background allowed her to jump in to deal with last-minute emergencies including gaffing, moving lights and inserting gels, which change the lights' colors, and other technical elements.

Ever since she was a little girl, Sara knew she wanted to work behind the scenes of television production. Throughout high school, she took classes in film, television and radio. She graduated from college with a degree in technical communication and journalism. She has worked on television shows for Encore, CBS, Knowledge TV and is now on-staff at Rocky Mountain PBS.

PAT RUSSELL

PAT RUSSELL, Business Manager
Pat’s primary responsibility on the TV Confidential set was as business manager for the production. During the shooting phase, she was also responsible for location production assistance, including location meals and services. In other words, Pat made sure the actors were well fed! Pat also has a cameo role in the production, as part of the advertising team in the Choppy Noodles segment.

Since 1997, Pat has been Renaissance Media’s Business Manager as well as ad hoc Production Coordinator and Production Assistant. She has 12 years of experience in international television and media production. Her television credits include 10 nationally broadcast PBS programs, several which also aired internationally. In the early 1990’s, Pat served for two years as a small business development Peace Corps Volunteer in Western Samoa. She had a blast working on the production.

DENNIS FRY, Production Sound Mixer
As the sound mixer for the production, Dennis recorded and mixed the location sounds. These include things like dialogue, sound effects and ambient sound. If you watch the video with the sound turned down, you’ll understand how important Dennis’ efforts were and the necessity of recording quality location sound. Dennis also makes a cameo appearance in the video in the newsroom of the KCAT segment.

After learning the basics of his trade in school, Dennis relied on “on the job training” by working on features, documentaries, news, sports, promos and educational programs.

JERRY EUBANK, Graphic Designer
Jerry was responsible for designing all of the graphics in the video, such as the Choppy Noodles packaging and the KCAT news logo. All of the props, animation, titles and logos in the video are a result of Jerry’s hard work. Jerry compares his work to “clothing:” since the visual images helped to create the overall image of the program. You can also spot Jerry in a a cameo appearance in the News room meeting during the KCAT segment of the video.

Jerry holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and has had a twenty-year career in the arts, in a variety of media. He trained himself in graphic art in order to stay competitive, and believes that staying current on trends is the key to his longevity and success in the art world.

JULIUS AMES

JULIUS AMES, Technical Staff
During the production, Julius filled a variety of technical roles, including gripping cables and lights and as well as serving as the jib operator. Concurrently, he has a cameo appearance in TV Confidential, serving as a technical director and jib arm operator in the Choppy Noodles and KCAT segments.

Julius entered the video production business because he likes to create and be with creative people. He attended CSU and then gained experience with hands-on training on numerous productions. He served as a producer/ director in St. Louis, MO for 5 years and also worked in all aspects of production during that time. To understand the production business, Julius recommends observing what every member of the crew is doing and figuring out how every piece fits into the production puzzle.

CARL HERNANDEZ

CARL HERNANDEZ, Lighting Design
Carl was responsible for lighting two of the segments of the video, the Joey Seller’s show and the KCAT segment. IN addition, Carl has a small role as the News photographer in the KCAT segment.
Carl has worked in television since 1982, in a multitude of roles, including lighting, audio, technical director, camera operator, stage manager and director. He has worked on a variety of formats, including live shows and live to tape as well as remote and in-studio tapings. Carl loves the creative part of creating a desired effect with the technical aspects of a production. Carl recommends hands-on experience as the best way to learn about the business of video production.