DEREK IN A NUTSHELL. OR TWO.

When co-workers used to introduce me to new employees, clients or prospective clients, invariably they say, "…and this is Derek. He, well, um, he does everything.” 

I've been fortunate enough in my ~12 agency years to be in situations that have tested that assumption. 

From repairing computers to training users on new systems. 

Siloed execution of tactics to full on integration in campaign concepting. 

Multinational million-dollar print jobs to 1-off new business direct mail pieces. 

Directing video shoots involving hundreds to shoots with only myself as crew AND talent.. 

Working as part of a large production team to one-man run and gun documentary style projects.

Variety is the only constant I've had. 

Thinking about how I wanter to develop a career, it became clear that I needed to move to a 100% focus to video development and production. 

So in August 2015 I struck out on my own.

Every project is unique and every crew fits those needs. 

We partner with the best people.

I want to be the weakest link in a strong chain.

Derek in a larger and more granular nutshell-

Studied Engineering at John Brown University but ultimately got a Marketing degree from Wichita State; 

Hired as an Account Service intern at Sullivan Higdon & Sink in 2003; 

Moved to a Production role out of flexibility and team needs and was hired on full time after 2 months; 

Self taught in Apple OS, Adobe CC and Final Cut; 

Purchased a Sony HDV camera in 2004 and taught myself video production; 

Sole video production person at SHS-Wichita for 5 years and also at my last agency, Associated Integrated Marketing; 

DP-ed and edited a Civil War period Indie Docu-Drama that was aired in 50+ PBS markets - THAT was a wild ride; 

I love cutting through the marketing and ad world clutter to convey life through video; 

Most of my current video production is one-man-show, but I love having a team – makes the product better; 

I enjoy being with clients and can easily talk in front of a group; 

Purchased a Red Epic-W in Dec 2016 to really make the professional level jump.

I've been DP, producer, director, editorial, UAS pilot, talent, voice-over, mo-graph, colorist, gaffed and gripped, ran B-cam and engineered audio; 

Having hands on experience in every step of a video production process has helped immensely - Jack-of-all and Master of many;

I own a full production kit including cameras, lights, grip gear, audio, monitoring, teleprompter, time-lapse rigs, stabilized gimbals and a high end aerial platform; 

Love seeing gaps and filling them, for myself and others; 

A former CEO told me once that I had "one whole brain” - He said that I have an innate logical process / engineering half & a creative and emotive opposite half - best compliment I've ever received - not to mention it was from Joe Norris; 

I've been in the agency world as a young-married and a young-father and understand the balance, finally; 

My wife has told me that my #1 trait is that I'm a helper, for better or worse; 

I think what I want out of a career is to be appreciated, work with people I enjoy, work on projects that are executed well, and to keep a balance of professional/personal; 

End of nutshells.