Daily Inspiration: Meet Joe B

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe B .

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
The blinking, bright lights of the student TV station in college is where my passion started; it opened my eyes to the possibilities of what could be created through the studio, with cameras and the press of a button in a control room. It’s where my curiosity for storytelling was born. I was never one to sit around and wait for the phone to ring, so I talked my way into a cameraman/editor position at the NBC affiliate in Green Bay, WI. I shot on the sidelines at Lambeau Field for Packer games and had a few crazy, funny learning experiences in my short stay there. One that stands out: on a bitterly cold night, shooting live on location during a newscast, my camera lens froze in the middle of a slow zoom. I took my hand off – but it continued to creep into the reporter’s face and eventually to an extreme close-up of his eyes and nose! (while the director was screaming in my ear). I couldn’t stop the frozen zoom.

From there, I moved to Phoenix and made my way into the CBS affiliate, where I cut a deal with the boss asking her to let me work for free for one weekend – shooting/editing. And if she hated what I did, I’d walk away, but she’d have to hire me if they broadcast the profile story I produced, shot, and edited.

She hired me.

I went on to shoot national broadcasts of NBA games and eventually focused on production – producing and directing various doc-style projects and multi-camera live events. That led me to the Twin Cities and KARE-TV, where I did the same thing I did in Phoenix to get a gig. I talked my way in! I only spent a few months there, just enough time to meet my best friend and life inspiration (who happens to be my wife), Joan Steffend.

Loving production, I started my own company, Moving Pictures, Inc..  Sitting in an unfinished basement, drywall torn up, dog barking – I talked my way into a project with MTV.  They came to town to do a profile story with the band Motley Crew. I knew it was an important shoot, so I hired the best lighting guy, grips, audio, etc., and lost money on the shoot. But, they loved how it turned out so, after that, the phone began to ring. Producers from MTV, ESPN, and NBC started calling me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
They’re only “obstacles or challenges” if you make them that.

I love the energy that comes with figuring things out. I did a huge project in Haiti with the Fugees (Wyclef Jean, Pras, and Lauryn Hill). We had to take 125 production cases and a huge crew – and get them to Port-au-Prince for a never-been-done-before concert. So many obstacles. So many challenges: gear stuck in customs, armed guards diverting camera set-up, leaving crew and talent on a mountainside overnight because the production helicopter that got us there had to leave without them because they couldn’t fly at night. And the barricades around the concert area being busted down from a crowd of nearly 60 thousand people!! (to name a few challenges).

I approach most projects with 80% pre-production. Have your sh!# together before the shoot –so when things start to drift off plan, you’ll be better prepared to deal with unforeseen obstacles. From there, the edit should fall in place (maybe?). We’re all trying to figure things out these days. We all carry some challenge. I try to focus on the positives and be grateful. LOOK FOR THE GOOD in everything and everyone.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The pitch line is: I’m a producer/director/storyteller and own Moving Pictures, Inc. We develop and produce engaging stories, digital brand awareness, multi-camera specials, and documentaries.  

I like to have fun. I produce and direct from the heart. I like collaborating with talented people, creating positive, purposeful experiences and storytelling that makes a difference, stories that emotionally connect with any audience. That sounds cliché, but it’s true!

I’m pretty proud that people trust me because it’s key to getting great content. A-list artists and talent have trusted me with their intimate personal projects. Great things happen on camera when a talent feels they’re in good hands and collaborating with someone with their best interest in mind (and knows what the hell they’re doing).

• I spent about 5 months with the artist Prince, sometimes 1-on-1 in the middle of the night. He even brought me to a room where few have gone – to discuss his religious beliefs.
• Janet Jackson allowed me to sit in on several private recording sessions while working on a documentary with legendary music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
• We built up Moving Pictures, Inc. to a point where Academy award-winning producer/director Bill Pohlad trusted me enough to merge our companies (under River Road Entertainment). And even though we eventually followed different paths (and I’m back under Moving Pictures, Inc.), it was an amazing experience, which I’m very grateful for.
• I also understand the business end of things from years as the owner and creative force behind Moving Pictures, Inc. I see ways to make projects more efficient, productive, and valuable.
• I’ve worked with actors, CEOs, huge artists, and the neighbor down the block and approached them all the same way, with respect!

Overall, it’s about trust, integrity, and true curiosity. That’s what drives me. That’s what’s important to me.

Ok, that’s enough about me – what about you?

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
It’s all about the relationship. People know when you’re trying to sell them something. I love relationships. I’m not looking for “one-off” projects. I’m looking to build something. I’ve done more than one project for most of the people and networks I’ve worked with. Some up to 10 productions. This isn’t about money for me. I love what I do. I love (most) of the people and experiences I’ve had.

• Networking is simply keeping in touch. Not looking for a project or work all the time.
• I don’t wait around for things. If there’s an artist or company I want to work with and love what they’re putting out in the world – I reach out to them!* Note: if anyone has Ed Sheeran’s # let me know! ☺
• Knock on doors. Knock-knock. (but don’t be annoying).
• Follow up. I get a lot of students/graduates/freelancers who reach out to me. We’ll talk. And I’ll never hear from them again. I’ll always try to chat (or sometimes meet) with anyone who reaches out to me – at any stage of their career or life.
• SEE where you want to be. BELIEVE it. FEEL it (really feel it). ACHIEVE it (with inspired action).
• It’s not about a career. It’s about life.
• Always follow the heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joebrandmeier.com/ 

Image Credits
Mark Bittner, TCFF