What I Do in Real Life
Hint: I Tell Stories
“Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” -Mark Twain paraphrasing Confucius.
In my career as a video producer in San Diego, I have not actually worked a day in my life over the past 41 years.
San Diego Video Production
Yes, video production entails a LOT of work if you’re someone who wears many hats in the industry like I do: Gripping and lighting require hauling gear, setting up the gear and then taking it down and hauling it off the set. Camera operation requires a good eye and constantly following the interviewee or the talent. Sound operation requires listening for wacky noises that could ruin a take. Producing (generating questions for the talent, getting them comfortable in the “hot seat” and conducting an interview) is my favorite role. Editing requires assembling all the elements needed for a stellar video. And the list goes on.
Telling Stories
But what I mean by not “working” a day in my life is that this is the career I have chosen. I am not relegated to a Dilbertian cubicle. It’s really all about Story-Telling, which I have always loved, even as a child.
As the eldest of six, I did a lot of babysitting. When bedtime came around, I would regale my two brothers and three sisters with spooky stories.
“Do you hear the wind whistling through the willow tree outside the window? Do you hear the branches scratching on the glass?” Lowering voice to a whisper: “I think someone - or someTHING - is trying to get in…..”
And on cue, Joey, Jeanne, Tommy, Marge and Rita would dive under the covers of their beds where they would huddle until hearing the front door open. There would be a collective sigh of relief to hear the voices of Mom and Dad returning home from a late dinner.
So storytelling is the thing I do to make money. What makes it even better is that I work alongside my husband and partner, Mark. Together, we’ve been an entrepreneurial power team since 1982. At that time, we penned a mission statement for our company, Crystal Pyramid Productions (now San Diego’s longest-serving video production company): “To have fun working and work at having fun while making clients happy.”
And we have been successful at it.
Kudos are Nice, But They Aren’t Everything
This past year we received some great kudos (suspiciously tantamount to “Lifetime Achievement Awards,” LOL). The latest and greatest came from San Diego Magazine who honored me last month as a Marketing & Media honoree. Last year, they bestowed upon me the 2023 People’s Choice Award for Pioneer in Sports + Entertainment.
Awards and honors are nice. And the celebrations are fun. But accruing awards is not the reason we do the work we do.
What the Work Teaches Us
Together, Mark and I have been able to provide San Diego video production services for over 40 years. Because it’s really a trouble-shooting industry, it’s been a helluva teacher in many ways.
Here’s what I’ve learned from over 40 incredible years with Crystal Pyramid Productions:
Follow Your Passion: When Mark and I first started out, we had no idea our love for mountain biking would lead us to create groundbreaking videos like The Great Mountain Biking Video. It taught me that doing what you love can pave the way for unexpected opportunities.
Embrace Innovation: We’ve always been early adopters of new technology, whether it was pioneering the use of helmet cameras or exploring cutting-edge video techniques. Staying curious and open to new tools has kept our work fresh and exciting.
The Power of Partnership: Mark and I have been partners in life and in business. We’ve learned to balance each other’s strengths and support one another through challenges, which has been key to our success.
Adapt to Change: The video production industry has evolved dramatically over the years—from analog to digital, from physical media to streaming platforms. Being willing to adapt has not only kept us relevant but also inspired us to continue growing.
Give Back: Some of the most meaningful projects we’ve worked on, like The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans, have been those that shed light on important social issues. I’ve learned that using our talents to make a difference is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Celebrate the Journey: Looking back, it’s not just the awards or accolades that stand out, but the people we’ve met, the stories we’ve told, and the memories we’ve made. Every project has been a piece of the puzzle that makes up this amazing career.
Through it all, we’ve discovered that persistence, creativity, and a willingness to adapt are the cornerstones of longevity and fulfillment—not just in business, but in life.