A friend of mine was telling me today about how one of his kids as well as a person he’s mentoring are each displaying areas where they struggle with, "getting nervous making phone calls to people." He went on to say, "If you’re going to be employable you have to be proactive and know how to talk to people."

Wow, do I know this?! I have been crippled at points in my life. Often I revert to those feelings. Many of you know me as a leader, producer, coach, etc. I present online and on stage multiple times per week. I have to make many calls, obviously as well. I have to will myself to step up and push past fear daily.

In the text thread with him I replied, " It’s not fun. However it’s the real world." I encouraged him to let them know how much harder it is for people like me and our President Elect. I went on to express my feelings that, " It it THE WORST. Terrifying and awful. Every time."

He followed by noting, "I’ve never thought about that."

I know that he means zero disrespect with that statement. Honestly, I took it as encouragement that I’m better at handling myself than my fears and internal struggles typically have me believe about myself.

I continued my dialogue with him saying, "I have NO IDEA how he has done what he has. Same as the previous King of England. It’s crazy inspiring." I then asked him, "Have you and [your wife] watched The Kings Speech?"

You must. In general, it’s a good film and worth seeing. More so, it’s arguably the best piece of art to understand me.

Similarly, and even were it not regarded as one of the top articles written in 2020. I encourage reading this:

Similar to the Best Picture nominee, I recommend not only for the great writing, but also to understand me.

II Corinthians 12:7-10

Know what your "ship" is; know who your "crew" is. Understand what they are capable of. Define a high standard and point in the right direction. Then adapt along the way to maximize what the "wind" offers. It doesn’t even mean changing course; it only means changing tactics. Enjoy the journey. "Sailing" is fun. The stories are treasures.

—William Arthur Ward

Revisiting one of my favorite Production Design memories - Story Conference 2012

This is from my Production Design Training slide deck. I ask questions like these when I’m designing:

The journey to get to from concept to actual design (including materials list, rigging notes, lighting plot, setup checklist, and rendering of vision) took a lot of iteration. It required lots of emails including scanned sketches and study of blueprints of venue that I was out of town and not able to do an in-person site-survey. We also utilized video conferencing for "face-to-face collaboration between Executive Producer, Production Manager, and myself, the Production Designer) including screen-sharing and digital sketching. The most interesting development was the week-of donation of an LED screen that let us gain a lot of stage space because of the throw distance not being required; which was great for the final product, but required some last minute adaptability in redesign of all the rigging and the lighting plot. One of the key layers of this design that wasn’t there when I arrived at the venue was four lekos with abstract gobos. I pushed way hard for the day of rehearsal that our PM managed to find a way to procure the morning of the conference was some theatrical gobos to throw textural light at the curtains. Sometimes it's the simple, old-school, theatrical tricks that really create the mood and set the tone for the experience. When the team saw them turn on only minutes before doors opened, they realized why I was pushing so hard for such. Magical!*this post adapted from my post in September 2012. Feel free to look it up for greater detail and explanation of choices.

-Joel Houston

I went to the Story Conference the other week. I was just reflecting on my journaling from the conference. This section of scribbles jumped out at me today and I thought I would share what I’m contemplating.

I sent the following as an All Staff email announcing my change in employment. I suppose it works as a blog announcement as well.

Friends,

I wanted to let you know that I have accepted a position as Creative Director at Ward Church and am therefore sad to announce that I am resigning as Troy's Production Director. It is very bittersweet for me: I am very excited about my new responsibilities; however it is very hard to leave this place and I am grateful to have been a part of with you all.

My last day in the office will be July 24th. It has been a sincere privilege serving with each of you. I will not be a stranger to this place. I'm sure you'll see me around cheering you all on or saying hi to my bride.

Thank you for many memories over the years...since the fall of 1991 when my mom moved me and my brothers to Michigan; since the spring of ’95 when Steve Norman came on staff and invited me to engage in student leadership that summer before my senior year of high school; through meeting Jessica that following year; since Todd Elliott first hired me around the time we opened the new building (when our offices and the old video editing system were on Big Beaver); since leaving to help plant Genesis; since coming back on staff 13 1/2 years ago…Kensington has been such a key through line of my life! I will continue to cheer for you all!

Yours,

Eric

Those of you who know me, have heard my passion for helping enhance story by targeting the subconscious. As a cinematographer and photographer, I am quite passionate about using lighting to help the viewer immerse themselves in the scene. I want to "break the fourth wall" (which you’ve heard and read me talk about the scene breaking out of especially with live production) but sometimes (especially with photography) I do by drawing the viewer in closer to the scene… Consider how the shapes of your subject and background elements and how they interact will tell your story. Our brains are designed to seek these things out. One of the main challenges we have as photographers is to demonstrate a 3D world in a 2D format. To do this well, good photographers see (and understand how to capture) the light (and shadows) that interacts with these subjects to make a scene come alive.

Lot’s of you ask about what volunteering as part of the Troy Production & Arts team is like. This video let’s some of our volunteers tell you in their own words!

Here is the exercise I did in trying to outline talking points to tell my story in 10 minutes. (It took closer to 20 than 10, but…) the exercise in having it written was really good for me!

Additional thoughts:

In PR - With my family and/or me in the tree

Building blocks in PR

The Scouts - Philmont?

Breakaway

Baseball pic with me the Allstar SS next to my huge Catcher

Houseboat waterskiing

Ceramics - realizing that there’s something to art - beauty in asymmetry

My dad dying

Realizing

Juarez

Crossroads -

Wedding

Part of the team going into the building (video, learning from some great men)

Launching Genesis

Traveling?

Learning what the Work of God is

End of Genesis

Strengths and becoming even more truly me when no longer responsible for doing everything on my own

The boys!! - Our adoption story

Coaching and revealing beauty to enhance story

Whether a photograph, a spreadsheet, performance art, or leadership moment.