New Directions

Life changed. The issue with my legs got worse and standing at work became no longer an option. So, if life hands you lemons - make lemonade.

I have been working at home for a few months now, building up JML Multimedia, producing a series of DVD tutorial discs and working with a company I'm in partnership with, Phoenixclips.com.

First, the DVD Series. Over the years I've produced several DVD's for sale. I use a software program called Movie Edit Pro. After using this program professionally and all the versions before it I wondered if anyone else had used it as a professional editor. I found out rather few had. So I set out on a personal quest. To prove to the world that it could be used by professionals.

I began a series of free tutorials on my blog, In The Viewfinder. MAGIX corporation, the company that makes the software got wind of my show and we began a correspondence. They also believed in the software and wanted to know what I thought should be done to make it truly a professional editor. I sent them a very long letter!

A while later they presented me with an award and named me a "MAGIXian". I was featured in their company newsletter. I continued to promote the software on my blog and made the tutorials showing how to better use it. Magix sent me the new version of the software free, Movie Edit Pro 14 "Plus". However, the issue with my legs was getting worse. I saw many doctors and finally was told they had no idea what caused the nerve problem and all they could do was give me drugs and send me on my way.

Not being someone who cares to be pumped up on drugs all the time I was not happy with the prognosis. But I pressed on. Finally after almost passing out at work twice from the pain I went back to see the doctor. He suggested I take some time off and get off my legs. Standing was killing me. I had developed a non life threatening blood clot in my right leg which wasn't helping any. I found myself down. I was off work and in pain as well as worrying over what I could do. Life for me stopped. I took the drugs and lived in a haze.

It was then I decided that returning to a stand up job would not work. If I continued to push, I would be crippled sooner than later. I began to focus on the things I could do. I know multimedia, I know marketing, I know broadcasting and I know video. So I set up JML Multimedia. I began producing the tutorials into a packaged DVD for sale and I made more. That lead to volume two and now I have volume three soon to be released.

In the meantime MAGIX had begun developing a new "Pro" version of the software. I was kept up to date by the head of the department at the company and in September "Video Pro X" was released. I got the first copy off the assembly line before the release date, free. Many of my ideas and suggestions are in the new version. They are entering into the tough pro market with this installment of the editor. Its a huge step!

As these things developed I was in touch with the North American rep for the company and "Boycalgary", a tech rep for the company technical support site. He and I hit it off and both of us were in situations whereby we needed to work from home. So we pooled our knowledge and resources and formed Phoenixclips.com, a media company supplying multimedia to the industry. We sell music, stock footage, animations and photos that individuals or companies license to use. Since companies can't use copy written materials, we sell royalty free licensed materials they can use. It is slowly growing.

I put out volume one of the DVD series and began working on volume two. I officially left 'work' and focused my efforts on producing the products and getting them released. I'm about to send volume three to the publisher. Both volume one and two are selling steady so income is coming in. I still make money from previous DVDs and now this new series. To help promote it and continue to support my belief that this software is far better than advertised, I formed a users group for the program. I figured I'd get about 30 members. Last count it was 225. I've become something of a guru for the editor.

With PRO X in hand I will begin looking into ways to develop teaching tools for it in 2009. After coming home and starting work here I also developed 4 DVD sets of stock footage, which I sell in my ebay store online and through phoenixclips. Each set contains footage based on a theme and is used by companies and individuals who produce video. Its like clipart but for video. The DVDs contain "clips" that can be mixed into a production to make a visual point.

My blog gets over 100 hits a day and I use it to feature articles on video production and as a place to put advertising for my own productions. I try to keep it updated, fresh and full of content so people will like it and return. It's working. Over 100 hits a day for a personal blog is somewhat amazing!

So I write, I produce, I edit, I create multimedia and I market it. Yes, ...I'm busy. LOL :D

But along the way I try to have fun too. The users group has been a blast and Magix gave me a free copy of Pro X to give away there so I'm running a video contest for all the users. They also gave me several other software titles I give away through contests on the site. Its been a great way to connect with other users of the software and find out what they want to learn how to do with the software program.

Edith has been very supportive. Without her I doubt I could have come this far. She is amazing. And I thank God for her every day. I love her sooo much.

Well, that is what I have been up to. What have you been doing?