At Work With… James Toledo, Broadcast / Video Engineer
The ‘At Work With…’ Interview Series is our way of bringing you behind-the-scenes with the names and businesses included in our Texas Production Directory (TPD). We want to showcase the creatives that cover all levels of production experience, backgrounds, and geographies around the state.
This week’s spotlight is on James Toledo, Broadcast / Video Engineer at Dynamic Digital Productions, based in Leander and a Texan for 13 years.
What’s the most memorable experience on a project or production that you’ve had and what made it so special?
Working on my first live award show back in 1998. It was a very unique experience. Fast paced, staying sharp with no room for mistakes. It was a tad intimidating, but once it was over, I felt this rush and felt really proud of this major accomplishment knowing that everything went well. After that, all other live shows that followed were very rewarding.
Have you had an industry mentor or colleague that has made an impact on you or helped you along your career path? If so who, and how did they impact you?
Yes, Louis J. Horvitz. He's a very well-known prolific Director for many live award shows who mentored me in all areas of live production. Learning his technique made it easier to accomplish many challenges one can face in the production world. He's a perfectionist who would never settle for less, that alone made an impact upon me to push through all technical challenges one can face on live TV. I then furthered my skills with Camera Op, Technical Director (TD), Post Production and DIT. It made my job a lot easier to understand what others needed and to make sure we are all in sync as there is NO such thing as I. It's always WE. Teamwork!
How have Covid-19 safety protocols affected the way that you work?
Covid alone has hindered many jobs. Implementing Safety Protocols is key. Having a controlled environment made it safer for those who began to open up. The crew has become smaller and it has forced many to learn and think outside of the box and utilize the internet more for remote work. It's different not seeing everyone daily, but safety comes first!
What’s the best part about working in Texas?
The hospitality and incentives it provides to production companies. Apart from that, the many locations outdoors for certain types of production and Spiderwood Studios 969. Spiderwood Studios 969 not only has a huge backlot, but indoor Cyclorama green screen great place to bring your future projects to fruition. They also use Code 4 to enforce Covid protocols making it a safe location to shoot.
Why do you choose the Lone Star State as a place to live and work?
The Lone Star state is BIG! Lots of places to go, great schools, and many technical companies are coming here and the cost of living is less expensive than west and east coast states.
Interview has been edited for brevity.
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