Remember that song? Carrying moonbeams home in a jar always sounded really appealing, sort of like having whole galaxies of lightning bugs to read by. I’m just humming, pay no attention. We can edit it out in post.
Mixers. Imagine that.
I am learning another language. I have been to the UpNorth Media Field Producer I class, and I have seen the future. I am only one more class away from being able to check out equipment and go out and about prepared to make mischielf in a ten-county area.
Cameras and tripods and shotgun mics with wind guards
In another week, I could make you a star. In a very small firmament, of course, but it’s a start, right? You would have equal billing with the Cowboy and Miss Sadie. Of course you would have to be Around Here for the shoot, as there is no budget for travel to the U.K. or Denmark or California or other foreign countries.
Joe explains the audio recording options. You got your shotgun mic and your lavaliere and your boom - and your handy dandy Zoom.
This is just the merest sample of all the great toys I will be able to check out. We aren’t even going to talk about the whole trunk full of lighting accessories. Four kinds of cameras. Enough extension cords to connect the whole county.
I know. You are saying to yourself, Gerry, you have not really mastered the intricacies of a point ‘n’ shoot still camera. What makes you think you can be a television producer, even for local cable TV??? That is a fair question. I have two responses. One: cool editing software. You can fix a lot with that. Two: What makes Newt Gingrich think he can be President of the United States? I rest my case.
I don’t think I’ll be able to be checked out on any of this great stuff in time to take it out to Northport for Benjamin Busch’s appearance at Dog Ears Books on Friday, but who knows? It could happen, right? Still, we television producers have to have backup plans. I’m thinking a little walking tour of Elk Rapids, a sneak preview of the Florescence show at JRAC, the chair Zumba class.
Louan is promoting a cemetery walk up at Bay View, complete with Civil War re-enactors. I told her it would work if she would play and sing some period songs. Louan loves theatre. Next thing you know she’ll have coyotes (played by the Cowboy and Miss Sadie) and a bear on the set. I’m hoping she plans to use a fake bear.
Stay tuned. For that matter, send story suggestions, resumes, 8×10 glossies. You never know.
Would you like to swing on a star Carry moonbeams home in a jar And be better off than you are Or would you like to be a mule?
Creative artists ponder existential questions like that.
Torch Lake Views 
Gay Montgomery
March 21, 2012
Knowing you, you will learn to use all this equipment. Loved the Newt Gingrich comment.
Gay
Gerry
March 21, 2012
Thank you for the vote of confidence. We’ll see how it goes. A Newt who laughs last laughs best.
Heather
March 21, 2012
It’s nice that you’re motivated to learn these new things. I don’t have the patience for it. I’m learning about transplanting trees. And why the maple syrup is done.
That song is a favorite from my childhood. There was a cartoon that I have wanted to remember for ages and it began with that song. I seem to be the only person in my family who remembers it though.
Gerry
March 21, 2012
I confess I love this stuff. I am surrounded by people who know all about the trees and the sugaring and my job is to tell their stories. Also to eat the excellent treats.
I really loved that song. Maybe I watched the cartoon too, but I don’t remember that. There are days when I’d really, really prefer to be a mule. There are days when unkind associates allow as how I’ve achieved that ambition. Ah well.
Heather
March 22, 2012
We learned last night that our barn out back used to contain a sugar shack. A kind neighbor is going to bring photos sometime. We have no maples large enough to produce, but the property used to be bigger, and apparently they collected and processed right in my back yard.
Okay, I admit: I can see how you get started on the War Vets. History is much cooler when it happened right in your own back yard 🙂
Gerry
March 22, 2012
It is. It’s absolutely addictive. Have you looked at the property records for your place? It may have been homesteaded by a Civil War veteran – or sold to one by a railroad – or lots of other possibilities as well. (I can explain how you can track down all such things if you get the bug.)
Molly
March 21, 2012
I just love that song. It was(is) a lullaby in my family.
I’m trying to figure out how I’ll be able to watch your shows (I have no worries point-n-shoot, Newt Gingrich or whatever — I have met the indubitable Gerry…. which makes me wonder…. have you thought of running for president? I bet you could have some very excellent treats. But I digress).
In conclusion: How exciting!
Gerry
March 22, 2012
Aha. The shows can be watched online. They are archived for a month. You may be sure that I will post links. Yes indeed.
Margie Guyot
March 22, 2012
Oh boy! I’m sure you’ll come up with some great little videos! Loved the Newt line. Hey — maybe sometime you can record the Charlevoix Sax Quartet!
Gerry
March 22, 2012
I will record the Charlevoix Sax Quartet. I thought about a time-lapse video of you painting at ACNA, too. No guarantees any of it will be very good at first, but I’ll get better. Gotta dive in there and try it.
tootlepedal
March 22, 2012
Very nice selection of kit there. It would be a treat to learn how to use it. I hope your lessons go well,
signed, A Mule
Gerry
March 22, 2012
The lessons are more fun than kittens. You could learn how to use it in no time, as you have already mastered the art of digital still photography. It is nice to have another Mule in the mix.
P.j. grath
March 22, 2012
Dear Techno-Gerry,
Dog Ears Books will be honored to welcome you tomorrow, with or without equipment. If, however, you do bring mobile studio, please focus on Ben, not me or Sarah. Thank you!
P.J.
Gerry
March 22, 2012
I would never bring it without discussing it with you first and planning it out. I will definitely be there as Avid Reader, but I would be surprised if Techno-Gerry can score any equipment for that day!
Kate
March 23, 2012
Oh boy. Now that song’s in my head — it was popular when I was little, or at least my mother always sang it (she was sure I was gonna take the mule option).
A mule is an animal with long funny ears
he kicks up at anything he hears
His back is brawny but his brain is weak
he’s just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
and by the way if you hate to go to school
You may grow up to be a mule
Gerry
March 23, 2012
Now, see, the reason I did not include this verse is that I figured no one would remember the words and I wouldn’t have to admit that when I was little the mule sounded like a fine thing to be in spite of this unfortunate characterization, largely because I ignored the “weak” and the “stupid” and went straight to “stubborn.” Upon reflection, I am still willing to make the trade-off.
Gail Davis
March 23, 2012
Just had to go to youtube to hear “Would You Like to Swing on a Star?” Maybe you could use the song as a background for your video with the mule, pig, fish, lightening bugs, etc.? Probably a copyright problem, unless you can get Miss Sadie and the Cowboy to hum along.
Gerry
March 23, 2012
If I could get Miss Sadie and the Cowboy to sing along the copyright holder would probably let us use it.
shoreacres
March 24, 2012
Well. I’ve come, I’ve seen, and I’m anticipating. What I really want to know is how they keep all those cords so neatly coiled. Interview whoever’s responsible for that and I’ll get really excited. I’d even send up my extension cords and let them work their magic on them.
Gerry
March 24, 2012
I suspect they’re sailors in their off hours. Michigan’s full of sailors.