Johnnie Semerad at Quiet Man, NYC.

I went on a school tour trip and the artist gave the class a demo. I knew right then I HAD to be a Flame artist. I stayed after the demo and asked all these questions and thought, no matter what, I want to work here and learn this tool!!

Every tool I had learned in school (Shake, etc.) couldn't deliver the instant gratification and fast workflow of the Flame. I can get many more versions and renders accomplished that meet the speed of my creativity.

First, being able to direct the second camera unit and a slew of 100 extras from atop the Bank of America building in downtown L.A. for a Pizza Hut spot. Second, I guess I should come up with a moment on the actual box too, hehe. That would be the day I had my first job and client session come to me because of my work and reputation for being able to deliver great results. That was a great day.

I have taken on some super tight deadlines for my director friends' music videos. I have been able to deliver a huge amount of work in the course of a long weekend that I would have had no way of finishing without the aid of the Flame community. The last one was a month ago for the launch of the Black Crowes' new album. I got the call Friday and it needed to be done Monday. Yikes! I also have had countless client panic sessions where they need to change something they had forgotten about. I love when that happens - I remember one whole scene last month that I was able to mock up in a minute for the client. One minute she was all in a panic and then super relaxed the next, not believing I could change everything so fast.

I will always remember the "Koufax" music video as one of my favorite projects. Everyone was naked on set (both men and women), but the make-up was a disaster!! Seam lines and droopy melting latex, not to mention the make-up on the face was a totally different color than the body!! There was a lot of work to be done - as I was doing it my co-workers threw so many jokes at me. Man, that was a fun project.

I like the effects Tim Crean did on the art film "Stereomongrel." You can see them at: http://www.suspect.tv/stereomongrel

I might have put off my archiving once or twice, but I will never do it again!!! ;)

There is always something new to learn and try!

There is a special connection to working with actual footage in real time that I just love; a moment captured with the actors is heightened with the special attention the Flame lends to that footage.