www.DannysDigitalDomain.com CHRISTMAS 2002
Greetings one and all, Well, another year has come and gone and that means this is the time I try to make up for bad letter writing habits. I think I have been pretty good keeping in touch with most of you this year, but for those who haven’t heard a peep from me, continue on… First off, I must apologize for not doing a fancy video Christmas greeting this year – like last year. I had good intentions of doing one, but time got away from me and I’ve resorted to a mere written letter – to show I still care. :) If you’ve really been living in a cave, here is some background…I’ve been working at Iowa Public Television for 3 years now as a Web site developer/designer. Working at IPTV has allowed me to combine my love for “digital design” with my education in broadcasting – to make for a fun, challenging and rewarding job. My main duty at IPTV is to create and maintain Web sites. Last year however, I worked closely on IPTV’s first DVD entitled "This Old Statehouse." More recently, I animated a couple on-air promotions for our newly-redesigned IPTV Web site, and even got to cross over into production as a camera person to relive my college roots.” I’ve been able to get away on a few short trips, including The House on the Rock, and Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. However, the best trip of the year was in October, out to Hollywood, California. It was a "personal pilgrimage" to the 2002 SMPTE Seminar - Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones - A Case Study in Digital Cinema. If you've ever watched the Episode I or II DVDs, you might have noticed the interviews with key production folks -- the editor, visual effects supervisor, animation director, producer, (and others) were on-hand at this day-long event to talk about their work on Episode II and digital movie making in general. The seminar brought together an audience of serious Hollywood digital artists, production folks, USC students...oh, and me. :) A highlight was meeting producer, Rick McCallum, George Lucas's "right-hand man!" Unfortunately, George Lucas himself was not there. The event was very inspiring and well worth the effort (and money). After the seminar, I had one day for sight seeing. I did the "traditional" tour of the star's homes, and Universal Studios tour. During the tours, I met an Australian tourist who so happens to be in the TV industry too (she and I are now international pen pals). I even had time to catch a flick at the Chinese Theater (the new Hannibal Lector movie, "Red Dragon"), and witness a real Hollywood movie in-the-making ("The Italian Job"), which was filming next to my hotel. Luckily, you don't always have to venture so far for a little fun. I rocked out with my friends at Aerosmith and Incubus concerts up in Ames. And, for Halloween, I lived like a rock star by dressing up like Ozzy Osbourne for my brother’s howlin' Halloween party, which he hosted in a rural cabin. Even though I was a convincing Ozzy, some thought I resembled Howard Stern – I can see how people would think that too. Judge for yourself... (mature/scary content). Family-wise, everyone is doing well. Dad continues to work at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown, and Mom still works at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center. My brother and sister are keeping busy too. Matt now lives in Marshalltown where he bought a home, and he works in Des Moines for a construction company. Kathy, an interior design major at Iowa State University, is mid-way through her third year. She continues to work part time at a local video store during college breaks. Grandma Sharp turned 90 this year!!! Many of our relatives gathered together in Ohio to help celebrate. And finally Max, the cat, is sleeping wherever and whenever he can. :) Last New Year's Day I went skiing for the first time. It was a lot of fun, a little embarrassing, and quite painful. I took a tumble on the bunny slope, my skis did not detach, and I twisted my right leg -- injuring my knee. Luckily, no surgery was required. Nearly a year later, things are almost back to normal, but on the eve of another new year's outing, I may stay off the skis. :) This letter may be a re-hash of letters I’ve written some of you already, but at least I hope each of you learned something new. Well, as I bring this Christmas greeting to a close, I want to take this opportunity to say keep in touch! May Santa bring you everything you asked for… - Danny
Greetings of Christmas Past:
2005,
2003,
2002,
2001 |