Covid & a Camera

JEFF CARLSON

When life throws lemons at you, the popular saying goes, you make lemonade. This has been the guiding principle of my life, and it’s exactly what I did when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. However, this time, I had to do it not just for myself but for both my wife and me.

It all started on March 13th, 2020, when my company instructed us to take our laptops home as they were closing down the offices for a temporary period of two weeks. This decision was in line with the recommendations of several health organizations. At the same time, my wife, who is an actress, happened to be in New York City, preparing to start a new project. She too was told to return in a few weeks based on the same advice we had all received.

As the days turned into weeks, I found myself set up in our guest bedroom, working remotely while my wife anxiously waited for the day she could get back to work. Let me give a bit of background on my wife—she has been a part of the acting industry for about 18 years, having worked on various TV and movie sets. She is also a member of the SAG/AFTRA union. With her wealth of experience, people often sought her advice, which she wholeheartedly shared whenever asked. However, it often disheartened her when the advice was not followed or when people bombarded her with endless questions, consuming her time without any appreciation. Witnessing this, I often suggested that she start a YouTube channel where she could offer her valuable insights. The only hurdle was that we didn’t own a camera and had no idea how to begin.

Fast forward to May 2020, and the end of the Covid-19 crisis was still uncertain. Terms like “The New Normal,” “Social Distancing,” and “Mask Up” had become part of our everyday vocabulary. Unfortunately, for my wife, her industry remained at a standstill. It was at this point that I proposed we utilize this time to film a few episodes for a YouTube channel dedicated to providing advice for people in her industry. I encouraged her to draft episode treatments, and we would figure out the rest.

That’s when I purchased a used Nikon camera, and we shot our first video. It wasn’t perfect—lack of lighting, terrible sound, and amateurish editing—but none of that mattered to me. I fell in love with the entire process and never looked back. For the next video, I invested in a proper microphone and a panel light, as suggested. By the fifth video, I switched to a professional editing program and spent countless hours watching tutorials to master its usage. With each episode, our content improved, and my passion for this endeavor grew stronger.

Before I knew it, I found myself creating a video for a non-profit organization, helping them raise funds for their cause. To this day, I consider it my best work, and it opened doors for more opportunities.

As I have grown and added experience, more cameras and equipment, I can provide different angles of the same event which has been extremely useful when filming podcasts, social media content, music videos and commercials. I also filmed two live-stream events, including a shareholder meeting for a local business specializing in augmented glasses for the medical industry. Currently, I’m collaborating with a colleague to establish a new division within his company, where I will provide video content services to his clients while continuing to work with my own.

It has been so great to see how a desire to pass the time during the pandemic has turned into something I love and can share with others. I have always been a fan of photography and practice whenever I get the chance. Videography though has inspired me to continue being open to opportunities I never imagined.

When Jeff Carlson isn’t behind the camera, he is a software engineer and renaissance man. He contributes positively to the community and has a soft spot for supporting small business owners in the South Wedge Neighborhood of Rochester, NY. He also makes a mean cocktail.

Visit www.crimsondawnmedia.com to enjoy some of the samples of Jeff’s video work.