Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/85891
Take Two How we're using video to tell more stories, even if it takes more than one attempt T he word "dangerous" caught my eye in the recent press release we received one morning regarding the EPA' s waiver to allow an increase from 10- to 15-percent ethanol in the American fuel supply system. Catastrophic failures have occurred in marine and other non-road engines tested with E15 ac- cording to the press release from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which chal- lenged the ruling in court. By mid-day, we arranged a Skype video with Kris Kiser, CEO and president of the OPEI, to learn more about the potential effect the ruling might have on landscapers. Kiser's interview will make you think twice before giving your crews gas money to fill up equipment. Check it out at totallandscapecare.com/ e15-fuel-threatens-equipment. Video is a powerful tool for telling stories. But it's not just a matter of point and shoot; the learn- ing curve is steep. My first video for the new TLC website, for ex- ample, involved shooting former Auburn University football coach Pat Dye at his Japanese maple tree nursery. Coach obliged to sit down for a brief inter- view but then left hastily for another appointment. As he walked away, I discovered no audio re- corded. The nursery manager rescheduled another meeting the following week, for which I managed to record complete audio including the off-screen howl of Coach's hunting dog when I stepped on its back paw. Billy R. Sims, Editor billysims@randallreilly.com Video is a powerful tool for telling stories. But it's not just a matter of point and shoot. The sights and sounds (minus the dog howl) in the video convey the experience as no text can: totallandscapecare.com/famous-coach-talks-trees. In the weeks ahead, you'll also get peeks of other special video content. Next up is a "How To" video on equipment operating tips for landscaping projects that will save you time and money in the field. Besides equipment videos, you'll see project stories, interviews with industry experts and plant- ings guides. And an occasional wobbly camera shot. Hey, it comes with learning. Keep watching, and give us a "thumbs up" when appropriate. Also, send your ideas for videos, and we'll give 'em a shot. Or two. August 2012 / TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE 9