Star Wars

33 years ago today, Star Wars was released. I thought I'd take a few minutes and talk about how I became a fan.

My mom wanted to take me out to a movie at the Eastwood theater on the northeast side of Indianapolis. The theater was known for having a huge 70mm screen. Some sci-fi movie was playing there that no one knew a lot about, but the ad in the paper looked interesting. We thought we'd give it a shot.

I was blown away, like millions of other people were around the country. I lost count of how many times I saw it.

Keep in mind, in 1977 I was almost 14 when the movie came out. So my enthusiasm for the movie didn't extend much past just watching the movie.

• I never dressed up as my favorite character.
• I didn't collect the comic books
• I didn't collect the figures

One thing I did do was get the soundtrack from the movie. Remember what the cover looked like?

The album also contained a poster, I was in seventh heaven listening to that album over and over and over.

Remember this was before VHS and DVD, so this was the only way for me to take a piece of the movie home and re-live in in my imagination as often as I wanted.

(I saw the other 2 movies from the original trilogy as well, with equal amounts of excitement, but I want to keep this post on point about the movie that started it all.)

Fast forward to June of 2001.

I was working as a traffic reporter for Metro Networks, when for some reason that I don't recall as I write this, I thought I'd do a search on the internet to see if there were any "Star Wars" enthusiasts/fans in some kind of organized group in Indianapolis.

I found "The Indy Knights". A small group of fans who meet once a month to talk about the movies, as well as all things sci-fi. How can you not love a group whose motto is: "Hoosier Daddy, Luke?" The group was about 10-15 members strong when I attended my first gathering. So small that meetings were held in members homes at first.

So I started attending meetings, enjoying the company of people who enjoyed the movie as much, and in some cases a little more than I do.

One particular meeting included a screening of the Episode 1 DVD. At this particular house there was a "Star Wars Room" complete with figures and other assorted memorabilia. I remember lamenting that I wish I had started my collection 24 years ago. It was then that I heard those fateful words:

"It's never too late to start."

So I decided, what the heck. It was then that I started collecting figures. I started with stuff you could easily buy in stores. It ramped up to older figures, and then comic books past and present.

But that's it!

If I had the funds, my collection could've grown in so many different directions: books, art, arcade games, costuming, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

So that brings you up to date to where I am now. I take a lot of good natured ribbing for being a fan, at times I am called a 'geek'.  But I don't care. I am who I am.

Because my career hasn't been going all that well these last few years, I've had to cut back on my collecting save for the occasional comic book binge.

So that's how it all began for me. Are you a Star Wars fan as well? It's OK, you can tell me. Maybe I'll see you at the next Indy Knights meeting.

You know how this post is going to end don't you.

May The Force Be With You....Always.

Parks and Recreation!

I had an interesting day yesterday.

In addition to radio work, I also freelance as 'talent' for Artistic Enterprises. What that means is that occasionally I audition to be on tv commercials, training videos, and stuff like that.

I received an email a couple of days ago from the agency, asking that I be at the statehouse for a video shoot involving the Indiana Department of Parks and Recreation.

So I get dressed up in an outfit that I haven't worn since my TV traffic reporting days and meet with 15 other people who were also asked to be there. No one knew exactly what was going on. We all thought it was a political commercial, or some kind of public service announcement.

After we all gathered in the lobby, we were ushered to the house chamber. Still no clue as to what was happening. I had never been to the statehouse before, not even on a school tour. I was soaking all this in, taking pics with my phone.

Once we got inside the chamber, all of us had to sign releases. That's when it hit us. On the release, I saw the words, "NBC" and "Parks and Rec". At that moment, we realized that this was no ordinary assignment. We were going to be extras on the hit NBC show!!! Clearly a mistake was made somewhere, at least as far as my involvement here is concerned.

We were told that we are supposed to act like politicians pretending to listen to a speech at the podium, and we are supposed to be bored as we listen. 15 people  were scattered around the chamber sitting in random chairs.

I was lucky enough to have a different assignment. I got to be a photographer pretending to take pictures of Amy Poehler. So while everyone else was sitting around, I actually got to move around a little bit.

WTHR, the NBC affiliate, was there as well doing a story about the whole thing. I got to talk to reporter Kevin Rader and told him about how I got involved in the shoot. I again stressed how some kind of mistake has been made, and what the heck was I doing there?

What an experience! For about 2 hours all I did was take a bunch of fake pictures of an empty podium. I was a little nervous at first, but once we got started, the time flew by. When we finished, everyone looked at each other as if to say, "That's it?"

The footage that was shot is going to be used in the show next season. A part of the chamber is going to be re-created in Hollywood. Then the stuff that was shot here will be combined with the stuff there. All in all I'll probably be an inch tall on your tv when the episode airs.

So..how much did I make? Well I honestly don't know yet. I did get reimbursed $14 for parking!

So I've got THAT going for me...which is nice.

Another New Gig!

Here I go again.

While I have a few irons in the fire to start out the year, for now I am a listener advocate at my1079.

What is a listener advocate?

It's an interesting job.

The station runs without jocks, but I'm there every morning from 6-11am taking requests on the phone and by email.

I also update all of our social networking, and the station website.

I also co-anchor the Fox Newstalk 1430-AM noon news with Bob Horner.

You can call 228-1079 to make your request. or you can email me at onair@my1079online.com

The GAB and OMG! sections of the website are the most interactive. I post interesting news stories for you to comment on, video clips to watch, etc.

Check it out and see what you think.

Click here to go to the website.

A Brief Update

I realize it's been a while since I've updated here, bad blogger!

I just wasn't in the mood to update after having Oldies 101.9 sold out from under me. The self-esteem took a hit, and I just didn't feel like dragging you down with my bad vibes. Are you still there?

Anyway, I'm OK.

Today I'm hitting the pavement with an arm load of audition tapes and resumes, so we'll see what happens.

I enjoy working in media, whether it be radio or television, and I hope to be back in the saddle very soon. If not, look forward to hearing me at a restaurant near you saying, "Would you like fries with that?"

OK Gang, It's put up or shut up time!

Monday night, June 1st, I begin hosting a new show on Oldies 101.9.

It's called "All Request Summer Nights".

FYI...the show WILL last past the summer. We'll come up with another title once we get to September. (All Request Autumn Nights??)

The show will be music intensive with LOTS of phone calls.

Here's where you come in.

I have over 400 facebook friends, a lot of whom friended me because I used to work with Smiley, or some other media association.

This time, I'm on my own. I will need your help. Call me, 849-1019.

I don't care if your a DJ working for another radio station or not. Disguise your voice. Use a fake name. I don't care.

I have 5 hours to fill Monday through Friday!!

There will be topics, and themes to help you out.

I hear people in and out of the biz complain all the time about how radio is becoming generic. What with voice tracking (pre-recording a show), or syndication (Ryan Seacrest, Delilah, John Tesh) no one believes in live, local radio anymore.

Well, my boss does. That's why he gave me this opportunity. I hope you won't let it go to waste.

849-1019

See you Monday!

Breaking News!

Please excuse the blatant self promotion, but isn't that what a blog is for?

(FYI: I wrote this, my first press release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis Radio/TV Personality returns to host "All Request Summer Nights-The Greatest Hits of All Time by Request" on WKLU-FM, Oldies 101.9.

Indianapolis, Indiana - May 18, 2009 - Indianapolis Radio/TV personality Tom Berg returns to host a live, local radio show on Oldies 101.9 beginning June 1st.

Berg will host "All Request Summer Nights" weeknights from 7pm until midnight.

The show will be the only live night time radio show in Indianapolis. Other radio stations either run pre-recorded, or syndicated shows after 7pm.

Mr. Berg feels that summer-time is the best time to launch a show like this.

"The sun will be up later, people will be out later and there should be someone live on the radio to be there for you." Berg continued, "Go ahead and try to call other radio stations to make a request after 7pm, you'll get a busy signal, if you get through at all. I'll be here every weeknight live from 7pm until midnight."

Berg is an Indianapolis radio/tv veteran, having worked as a TV traffic reporter for WRTV-6. He has spent over a decade working in Indianapolis media.

"The show will be a night-time party on the radio," says Mr. Berg."All request means ALL REQUEST."

(press release over)

OK now it's just us right?

I am SO excited about this opportunity.

Not just because it's a job, but because I think it's an opportunity to have some night time fun on the radio.

No man-bashing, no alien hunting, no relationship advice, just great tunes!

We will also be cranking up the listener interactivity. If you are reading this, I'll be expecting your phone call.

849-1019, learn it, love it. I'll want to hear from you all summer long.

Going to a concert? Call...
Having a barbecue? Call...
Got a request? CALL...

Listener interactivity will be KEY to the shows success. Don't let me down.

We'll scrounge up topics, and re-curring bits to make the nights a lot more fun.

I'll even take your call if you work for other radio stations in town, even YOU Smiley!

Wish me luck!

Mashup Monday!

Do you know what a 'mash-up' is??

I'm no expert, but they are pretty cool.

Someone with audio editing software takes 2 completely different songs, and mashes them together using the vocals from one song and the music from the second song, creating a completely new song.

These mash-ups can breathe new life into classic music. Some people like them. Some don't. The nay-sayers say that mash-ups are no good because 'you don't mess with classic tunes'.

Just like any music genre, some mash-ups are good. Others, not so much.

Let me offer up one example:

Rapture Riders (click the title to listen)

It's a 'mash-up' of Rapture by Blondie and Riders on The Storm by The Doors.

What do you think?

There's a blog that posts collections of mash-ups every so often.

It's free and I like most of 'em.

The link is: http://www.mashupyourbootz.blogspot.com/
Listen with an open mind and see what you think.

You haven't lived until you've heard "Single Ladies" by Beyonce mashed up with the Andy Griffith theme!!!

Another Reason I Have This Blog....

I like being able to use this blog to elaborate on video postings I make over on youtube.

For example...

I recently had a boatload of video on VHS digitized so I could post it online.

I'd hate to have something happen to the tapes, so I'm getting them converted before something happens to them. I'm not sure ANYONE will enjoy these besides me. We'll see.

First up.

If you ever went to Stuart Anderson's Cattle Company restaurant, maybe you also remember going to the bar attached to the restaurant with the catchy name:

"The Square Cow Fun Bar"

Neat, huh?

I could write volumes about my experience there, but for now, let's get to the video.

When we cranked up the dance music, it was all about the video. This WAS the late 80's, early 90's after all.

So the company had videos specially made to kick off the dancing:



Nifty! If I recall, the bar shots were from a Black Angus Fun Bar in California.

Up next....

This is a video that no one will be interested in except me. It was shot on the last night that 2 bartenders would be working together.

Guy & Dave.

They were a blast to work with and made slow nights go very fast.

Watch...if you dare:



I'm not in the video very much, but you can hear my voice.

Finally...

OK this isn't an archive video, but hey it's my blog, I can do what I want.

I went to the Children's Museum to look at the new Star Wars relaed exhibit.

Paul Poteet and Tom Davis asked me to meet them there so we could shoot a feature for Good Morning Indiana on RTV-6. There also is video posted on Channel 6's website.

I brought my camera and shot some video, and still pictures that I slapped together into a little montage:



May The Force Be With You....Always!

Don't Faint, It's A New Post!!

I know it's been a while.

You'd think with all my free time these days, I'd have more time to ramble on here.

Truth is...I am more busy now, dealing with family stuff, than I was when I had a JOB!

But I digress.

In honor of 'Girl Scout Cookie Selling Season'. I give you this little gem from www.penny-arcade.com. (click on it to make it bigger)

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor.

I want to talk to you for a minute about....radio commercials, although I suppose what I have to say applies to TV as well.

I have a question. Where's the creativity?

Programmers design formats to keep you from changing the station when commercials come on, because they are perceived as a 'tune out' factor.

I have witnessed many times listeners who can't change the station fast enough when commercials come on.

Maybe I'm being naive, but I believe that if the commercials were as entertaining as the music, there would be no channel flipping.

Let me cite a couple of examples. Here are a few commercials I think fit into the 'entertaining' category. As a side game, try and guess what the commercial is about, before the 'reveal'.

Click here for Spot Number 1.

Click here for Spot Number 2.

You really don't need a lot of sound effects or music to make a radio commercial entertaining.

Click here to hear a very funny spot about fireant killer. It's all in the writing and the voice!

Also....

Click here to listen to another voice-only commercial about a trivia game.

Stan Freberg is my guru when it comes to this subject. He started out as a satirist who eventually started his own ad agency who created an infamous commercial about radio, using sound effects to drain Lake Michigan and fill it with hot chocolate.

He also created some entertaining TV ads as well. For example:



He also wrote a book "It Only Hurts When I Laugh" that, among other things, talked about his work in advertising and includes a few script samples as well. The book is out of print, but you can find used copies around if you look hard enough.

OK I'm off the soapbox.

Think about it though....commercials as entertaining as the DJ's.

Radical.