Pawpro Media’s Photos in Newly Released Forkas book.

Posted on June 7, 2014May 8, 2022 Posted in Amy Linn Doherty, online video, Promotional Video, Promotional Video Production, Video ProductionTagged Forkas, RAAM, RAAM footage, Race Across America, What Spins the Wheel: Lessons in Leadership following Our Race for HopeLeave a comment

Just two days before the 2014 start of Race Across America, I am excited to announce that several of Pawpro Media’s photos from the 2012 race are included in the self-published book, What Spins The Wheel: Lessons In Leadership from Our Race for Hope” authored by Len Forkas, who successfully completed, won his age group, and finished tenth overall two years ago.

I was a member of his 13 person crew and proud to have donated 15+ days (500+ hours) of my time, gear and professional video skills to cover the team and rookie racer riding to raise money for the charity he founded, Hopecam.org, which connects seriously ill children, who are homebound, with their schoolmates by way of online video chat.

During the race I produced 33 videos, that helped promote Hopecam and Forkas and helped raise over $300,000, which in turn led to the latest fundraising endeavor of his book recounting the 2012 race. It was a grueling schedule as a singlehanded videographer, editor and voice of the reports filed, which demanded I stay awake for 48 hours at a time fueled only by Skittles and Mounds for sections of the race.

In this year’s running of RAAM, Hopecam is supporting Team Joe Barr, a cyclist our 2012 Hopecam team became acquainted with before his unfortunate withdrawal from the competition in that year because of a serious bout with altitude sickness as he encountered the Rocky Mountains. Barr will ride this year to benefit Hopecam. Donations are welcome at Hopecam.org.

I wish Joe Barr and his team good health, good weather, good results on all accounts this year. Some consider this to be the toughest bike race in the world as it is a running clock, 3000 miles in 12 days, while the Tour de France is 2,200 miles in 23 days with stops and days off. Follow Team Joe Barr’s progress during the race at https://www.facebook.com/TeamJoeBarr.

Pawpro maintains a catalogue of video footage and stills from this 2012 event.

pawproGuardrailGlass2lowres — Headed into the Mojave Desert on the first day of the race in 2012.

First in a Series of Stroke Awareness Videos from Pawpro

Posted on August 13, 2013September 8, 2013 Posted in Community, Online Media Production, online video, Pawpro, Viral MediaTagged arteriovenus malformations, content media, dr. eric eskioglu, FAST, stroke awareness, video in healthcareLeave a comment

Stroke is the #1 cause of long term disability in the U.S. and #3 cause of death. Often it is a silent killer whose signs and symptoms go unnoticed until it’s too late.

I know this all too well. My mother suffered two strokes as a result of Arteriovenus Malformations (a.k.a. AVMs) which caused ruptures in her brain. Luckily she survived and leads a normal life, but the second stroke could have been prevented had we known about advances in treatment.

Dr. Eric Eskioglu is the neurosurgeon who saved my mother’s life. Please watch and share this video with everyone you know and love, so that they may know the warning signs. Bleeding and blockage strokes have very different symptoms.

Pawpro Media’s Take on DIY Video for Business

Posted on May 22, 2013May 22, 2013 Posted in Amy Linn Doherty, multimedia marketing, Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, Pawpro, Promotional Video, Promotional Video Production, Video ProductionTagged business, Marketing, mediaLeave a comment

The latest video produced by Pawpro Media is a good example of a business’ use of video, as well as a good example of why there’s a separate time and place for professionally produced video in contrast with do-it-yourself (DIY) content. The video link below for a top-tier commercial real estate firm, Griffith Properties, LLC, would be hard pressed to produce a video of this quality, which includes animated graphics, as well as professionally mastered music and voice-over. The attention to the quality of the video sends as big a message to viewers, as well. Businesses should care about maintaining a standard.

A self-produced video runs the risk of diminishing the reputation of a professional entity because of poor production quality. Viewers fail hear the intended message and only notice that the company wasn’t willing spend the time or money to produce a professional looking piece.

As a myriad of industries slowly warm to the idea of providing video content on their websites and social media outlets, some get cold feet when presented with the price tag for a professionally produced segment. To make matters worse, they fail to contemplate or recognize the cost of repairing their reputation from cheaper, poorly produced and planned media efforts.

So, who can use DIY video, and why? The successful applications of homespun video have generally come from small entities, non-profits or individuals where the expectations and criteria for judgement is far different from the professional world’s. And even then, there are plenty of examples of non-profits turning to video professionals and graphic artists to produce videos that look good, sound good, or if nothing else, leave you with a good feeling or call to action with homemade color and composition. In some cases a video professional might be willing to produce at a lower cost for a good cause.

I have over twenty years of experience in video. I’ve seen the industry adapt and change with technology. When I started in the business one inch tape was still the preferred master format and professional editing could only be accomplished in a large editing suite that cost tens of thousands of dollars, which was way beyond the means of small business. Today, most online media projects don’t require top-level production, but they do benefit from professional eyes and ears and knowledge of the technology.

If you have a video project and need advice about where to turn to get it started, give me a call. You tell me what you want to do and I’ll tell you how to get it done–with Pawpro Media, another video professional, or on your own.

The Power of the Video Testimonial in Today’s Online Marketing Strategy

Posted on February 13, 2013November 13, 2013 Posted in cycling, Economical, multimedia marketing, Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, sports media, Viral MediaTagged Amy Linn Doherty, content media, cross marketing, Pawpro Media, sizzle reel, video content, Video testimonialsLeave a comment

Video testimonials are a great way to utilize the draw of video on a Website, and they are especially effective when a product is demonstrated in the process.

Here’s a testimonial I put together for 2012 Race Across America (RAAM) competitor, Len Forkas and RecoFit, a compression gear company, that sponsored him. This is an appealling use of video because it’s not only visually compelling, but it effectively shows the product in action without being verbose or overly produced. It also serves as a substantial cross marketing tool because Forkas was able to both thank his sponsor, while communicating with his social media audience as he pedaled across country raising money for his charity, Hopecam. The end result is great marketing material for RecoFit, Forkas and Hopcam, which was utilized across multiple social marketing platforms simultaneously.

It’s also important to mention that this was produced in constant motion. I shot and edited 24/7 as I followed Forkas in his 12 day trek across the U.S., and the production quality remained high. Relatively speaking, this is a very economical and effective use of video. Just another example of how video doesn’t have to cost a ton to get the marketing job done. In other words, it didn’t take a large production house or a big budget to create this media.

Pre-Inaugural DC and POTUS Sighting

Posted on January 22, 2013September 15, 2015 Posted in Amy Linn Doherty, Creative, Economical, multimedia marketing, Online Media Production, online video, Video Production, Viral MediaTagged real estate photographyLeave a comment

Nearly every Sunday I go for an early morning run in DC. We start under the Whitehurst Freeway in Georgetown and work our way along the Potomac River up to the Lincoln Memorial, and then down around the reflecting pool which sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Sometimes, we go all the way down to the Capitol when we are training and need a longer run.

This past Sunday, the day before the Inaugural Parade, we made the trek down the Mall to the Capitol to catch a glance at the preparations for the next day’s events. It is a special time in DC. I brought along my camera because I knew if I didn’t I would regret it. Sure enough, on my way back home I happened upon the Presidential motorcade with both President Obama and Vice President Biden heading to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, an Inaugural custom.

My first Inaugural experience was in 1977 for Jimmy Carter. As a ten-year old at the time, it was a miserable experience because it was the second coldest Inaugural. We waited for hours, literally standing on a block of ice. I don’t even remember if we saw him, or not. All I remember is continually looking down at my feet on the ice as I slowly lost all feeling. I think that was probably the coldest I have ever been.

This day before Obama’s second Inaugural was beautiful, cool and clear.

Fall into Pawpro

Posted on October 26, 2012October 31, 2012 Posted in Amy Linn Doherty, multimedia marketing, Online Media Production, online video, Pawpro, Promotional Video, sports, Video Production, Viral MediaTagged 2012 Presidential Election, 2012 Virginia Voters, Amy Linn Doherty, gaming, Pawpro Media, pro-Obama, transportationLeave a comment

As the leaves begin to fall here in Washington, D.C., Pawpro is working on several projects.

Three weeks left in the campaign and I’m putting the final touches on a Presidential Election video. This pro-Obama video is to be released on YouTube within the next 5 days.

In November, I will resume night owl duty and a video presence for the second running of the Anything Is Possible 5K race, which is a national running event. It’s held in cities all over the U.S. on the night the clocks turn back.

This year that night is November 4 at 1:50 AM. New to this year’s race, participants will receive a pair of PJ pants from Old Navy–while supplies last. Each participating city provides its own unique after party.

Anything Is Possible 5K

Anything Is Possible 5K/ Atlanta

Pawpro Unveils RAAM stills of Len Forkas/Hopecam Effort

Posted on August 26, 2012February 26, 2014 Posted in Cancer support, cycling, Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, Pawpro, Promotional Video, sports, Video Production, Viral MediaTagged event video coverage, Hopecam, Len Forkas, non-profit uses for video, RAAM1 Comment

Today I am opening a gallery of photos taken while I followed Len Forkas in the 2012 Race Across America–a 3,000 mile, 12 day bike race. The social media coverage provided by Pawpro was a substantial part of why Forkas and his non-profit, Hopecam.org was able to raise more than $300,000.

(shutterfly.com/pro/PawproMedia/PawproMedia)

PAW_0181 — Pawpro Media footage of Len Forkas compeating in Race Across America (RAAM) in 2012.

These are purely photos which is a distinction from the miles of video I compiled. In almost two weeks on the road, I only dedicated myself to shooting stills for a few hours total because of the priority to get video coverage and the limits on awake time, available wireless signals, editing time, and time being in proximity to Forkas to shoot footage. The collection will grow as I begin to review the video footage and create stills from certain moments of it.

When solo shooting a live event such as this the photographer/videographer must commit to one medium or the other for fear of capturing nothing if caught transitioning. The photographic moments either occur at a painstakingly slow or frustratingly unexpected pace. In sports gab, that means you must be on your toes at all times. If I had it to do again there would be things done differently, and other things that would be impossible to do differently under the same conditions. As an example, as much as I wanted to stay awake for 48 straight hours, sleep a few hours, rinse and repeat, no amount of Red Bull was going to keep me awake beyond a certain point. It was an experience that I will never forget. It took several weeks for my hand to recuperate from constantly holding the camera.

I was going to start this post by drawing the parallels between what was accomplished by Len Forkas and his Race Across America for Hopecam and Diana Nyad’s latest attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida. I was rooting for her, and remember how captured I was by her initial attempt back in the late ’70’s. It was that spirit for adventure that inspired me to join in the excitement of Race Across America. Then word came she had been pulled from the water–beaten by jellyfish, weather and sharks. My initial thought was, “I’m so relieved that there were no jellyfish or sharks to worry about in RAAM!” I don’t think the Hopecam crew would have survived as long as Nyad in such elements. As it happened, we didn’t have a drop of rain in our 11 day crossing of the U.S.

Thankfully, Len Forkas met with success in his endeavor. However, falling short at any extreme adventure comes with a fair amount of pride in having planned and made the attempt, at all. I am of the belief that so few can even claim to have conceived and committed to such outrageous challenges, that to have tried and stopped is no failure in the world of extreme sports. Although, I know that the individuals who commit to these challenges are rarely satisfied just by the attempt.

Untill the next adventure!

American Odyssey Relay 2012 Video Released

Posted on June 4, 2012June 4, 2012 Posted in Amy Linn Doherty, Cancer support, cycling, Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, Promotional Video Production, sportsTagged American Odyssey Relay, Amy Linn Doherty, AOR2012, Bob Fleshner, Pawpro MediaLeave a comment

Newly released, the American Odyssey Relay video for 2012 produced and shot by Pawpro Media. Don’t miss the most spirited team paying homage to comedian Will Ferrell by way of vintage 70’s athletic swag and exhibitionism with a penchant for public nudity. All in a day’s work, I say! It’s always great to work for race director, Bob Fleshner on this great event.

And speaking of events, seven days to go before Pawpro takes off for the start of Hopecam’s Race Across America. We’ll be following Hopecam’s cyclist as he makes his way across the U.S. in 12 days in this infamous and awe inspiring event. Follow our progress in real time on Facebook and Tumblr. It starts June 13, 2012.

Cross-Country Support for Hopecam.org

Posted on February 27, 2012February 28, 2012 Posted in Cancer support, Children, Community, Creative, cycling, multimedia marketing, Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, Pawpro, Promotional Video, Promotional Video Production, video camera crews, Viral MediaTagged affordable online content, Amy Linn Doherty, cancer support, childhood cancer, classmates, cycling, Hopecam, Inbound Marketing, Len Forkas, Online Media, Pawpro Media, RAAM, viral media VA, Web site content productionLeave a comment

In the process of producing videos, I have often been in the company of accomplished and extraordinary people. Most of them adults. Most of them professionals. In the latest Pawpro Media video release we are highlighting the children of Hopecam who are, or have been, homebound and isolated by treatment for life threatening illnesses. It’s hard to not be impressed by their composure and strength.

For ten years Hopecam.org has supplied computers, cameras, hardware and any technical support necessary to connect these children with their school friends. Founder, Len Forkas, took on the mission to address this often overlooked, yet critical, aspect of long-term medical treatment for children after watching his son suffer with leukemia, and the painful emotional separation from his classmates at the age of nine. Often these children are separated from their friends for a year or more while being treated, which can have a significant effect on their psychological and physical well-being. The risk of a complicating infection is just too great.

Ride Across American fundraising Link:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/lenforkas/rideacrossamericaraam

To hear former Hopecam user, Daniel, now 13 years old, recall his initial thoughts of being diagnosed with cancer, wondering how long he has to live, wondering whether he will ever see his friends again isn’t a topic of which we expect a child to be conversent. And his mother, Donna, recalling how she worried about how to “. . . keep him whole” in the process. But these children and families are forever changed by this event.

With Len’s participation this coming June in the famed cross-country cycling event, Race Across America, Hopecam hopes to reach more children and make more people aware of childhood cancer, Hopecam and the need for this connection in the lives of the children and families isolated by intensive medical treatment. Please help Hopecam raise $150,000 in 2012 to carry out this mission. Visit Hopecam.org to donate today.

Pawpro Loves GoPro

Posted on February 16, 2012February 16, 2012 Posted in Creative, Economical, Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, Pawpro, Promotional Video, sports, VA, MD, DC HD camera crews, Viral MediaTagged Amy Linn Doherty, business videos, charity videos, PawproLeave a comment

Perhaps it’s just the Valentine’s Day spirit, but I’ve got to say I just love the shots that come out of the GoPro Hero. The first Pawpro project to include GoPro footage is for Hopecam.org where we’ll focus on the founder’s upcoming cross-country bicycle trek in the famed Race Across America. Of course the Bicycle lends itself to some interesting angles, and the wide array of GoPro mounts oblige almost any angle.

This is just a sample of the possible shots. I’m sure there will be many other applications of its footage down the road. Just another tool that Pawpro can utilize to tell whatever story you need to tell.