Blog

The NEW Seabees Documentary Film Award-winning director RJ McHatton was going to make a movie about his sister Patty and her experience serving her nation as a Navy Seabee in Iraq. Then the word got out and RJ started getting calls from Seabees from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and... Read more

Congratulations to DION McINTOSH, who was on the new ABC Television show "Rediscovered" last night.  Dion won $50,000 and will be heading to Las Vegas to open for Donny and Marie Osmand.   Last year RJ and the Inventive Productions crew of Charles McHatton and Tyler... Read more

Emily Howell Warner with her husband Julius RJ McHatton with Legend of Aviation Emily Howell Hanrahan Warner December 13, 2008 I flew on Frontier Airlines that day to Denver to go interview an American hero, Emily Howell Warner.  I only got two hours to sleep when my... Read more

          Clay Lacy My day started great when the hotel lady said "You have a great smile!"  Clay Lacy.  I arrived at Clay Lacy Aviation about fifteen minutes early.  I had woken up at 8am, thought it was enough time... Read more

Jim was a great guy.  He always said that it was easy to remember his name because the spelling of his last name was Christ is son.   Jim always made it a choice to be happy everyday and to try to help others, including me.  Whenever I might get down, I would go see Jim and... Read more

                  My Dad, Bob McHatton, stationed in                   Germany in the US Air Force in the... Read more

Legends of Aviation.   Here is a list of the other Legends of Aviation that are being recognized at the "Academy Awards of Aviation."  We are creating video biographies for Airport Journals, sponsor of... Read more

Entirenet Shoot SBS & EBS--We had a great time shooting and editing together the new labcasts for Microsoft's new Small Business Server 2008 and Microsoft's new Enhanced Business Server 2008.  Using our in-house green studio, we were able to create a top-notch training series that will... Read more

       Charles Glenn Marker   While on our visit to Leo and Amy Hymas' home, I was able to interview Charles Marker for the Veterans History Project.  Charles is 90 years old.  He was born in Salt Lake City in 1918.  He was drafterd into the Army Air... Read more

                  Wayne Small   Recently I interviewed Wayne over at Leo and Amy Hymas' home as part of our committment to the Veterans History Project.  Wayne was there that day with Harold and Charles.  It was a great... Read more

              Harold Robinett Harold served in the US Navy for over thirty years, and then he became a fireman.  When I interviewed Harold for the Veterans History Project, I could not believe that he was over 90 years old.  He said the... Read more

             Ruby Grace Hutchinson Ruby was a fantastic person.  I worked with her for a time down on the Oregon Coast.  She always went out of her way to help others.  We were asked by her family to create a photo montage for her Memorial... Read more

 It was about a year ago that I first met Pat Murphy.  I had flown to Buffalo, New York on a project to interview him for his Video Biography, sponsored by his daughter Christine and her husband Roger, who live in California.  Pat was a great guy.  He had a very... Read more

"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance."                                       George Bernard Shaw  Read more

Article in Wall Street Journal--Last week the Wall Street Journal had an awesome article about the emerging trends toward video biographies.  You can read the article by CLICKING HERE.  Read more

 Bob Bertheau photo montage project--We are creating a really neat video photo montage dedicated to the 50th Wedding Anniversary of his parents Rene & Sunny Bertheau.  Rene was #56 football player for University of Washington in 1956-1957. Read more

 Story Corps--National Day of Listening--Last week was the first annual National Day of Listening, a day dedicated to listening to stories from your loved ones.  You can learn more about this new holiday at http://www.nationaldayoflistening.org/ Read more

 Visit with Kurt & Liz Micka--While in Salt Lake City I took time to visit with my old college roommate, Kurt Micka, and his lovely wife Liz.  Kurt and I were roomates back in the 1970s and 1980s at Fresno State.  It was a lot of fun reminiscing about those good old... Read more

Earthrise   This photo was taken by American astronaut Bill Anders during his Apollo 8 mission around the moon.  I was fortunate to meet and interview Bill Anders last month.  Bill Anders is a true hero to me.  He really loves aviation.  I interviewed Bill for a... Read more

Here is a new postcard: Read more

  I need your help!   My team and I have just finished the editing on my new documentary "Chefs of Seattle."   I was wondering if you would be willing to watch this movie and give me your comments.  Your comments will help me polish the film before it is sent... Read more

Happy Grandparents Day   From RJ McHatton and the Inventive Productions Team   ------------------------------------------------------------------------   As Grandparent’s Day approaches (Sept 7th), I can’t stop thinking about my own grandparents. So I decided... Read more

What are the Questions ?   One of the most common questions I am always asked by people is:   "RJ, what specialized questions do you normally ask a person when you interview them for their custom video biography?"   Well, the list of questions I... Read more

Last month I offered to send my 124 Specialized questions that I ask a person during a professional video biography interview to anyone who asks--for free.  People have gone crazy over these 124 interview questions.  People from all over the country have emailed me to ask... Read more

I first met Grace back in 2001 when I worked at the Resort at Seaside, Oregon as the project director. Grace had a fantastic southern accent that gave her a cool charm. Recently Grace passed away, and the family asked me to create a video biography for the memorial service. Kenneth... Read more

I met today with the team from the incredible Village Theater in Issaquah.  It is a remarkable and impressive theater organization. I was invited to the meeting by Gary Kneepkens who is the son of June and John Kneepkens.  We made a video biography of June and John. The first... Read more

One of our clients, John Kneepkens, recommended me to be a guest speaker at the Covenant Shores Retirement Community in Mercer Island, WA. John said there were a lot of World War II and Korean War and Vietnam War veterans at Covenant Shores.  The Chaplain gave me a call and asked if I would... Read more

Jeff Kirby, CEO of Puget Sound Security, asked us to create a short marketing video about his company.  You can learn more about Puget Sound Security by going to www.pugetsoundsecurity.com You can see a short video by CLICKING HERE. Read more

Jim Zorn was the first quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. Jim Zorn was the quarterback coach for the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. Then Jim Zorn became the new head coach for the NFL Washington Redskins. We have been working with Jim and his family to create a comprehensive video... Read more

We were asked to create a package of five videos for the 20th Anniversary of the DCI Engineers of Bellevue, WA. We interviewed the founding partners, additional partners, employees, and clients. You can learn more about DCI Engineers at www.dci-engineers.com You can see a short movie... Read more

Here is a short video clip from Amy & Dion's First Dance at their wedding in Dana Point, CA. It was a real fun experience. You can see the first dance by CLICKING HERE. Read more

Our friends at Concur (www.concur.com ) asked if we could create this short video message to their friend Russ Oliver who is stationed overseas in Iraq. You can see this short video message to Russ by CLICKING HERE. Read more

I was asked by Marc Hutchinson if we could make a short video that could be shown on Youtube and their website. You can learn more about Bashey, Hutchinson & Walter CPAs by going to www.hutchcpa.com Here is the short video.  You can watch it by CLICKING HERE.  Read more

Ray Slaugh is a nice guy.  He is well respected by everyone in his church and community.  He is a veteran from World War II.  As part of the Veterans History Project, I volunteered to interview Ray at his home. Here is a short clip from our interview.  You can see it by... Read more

We were asked by Richard Locke to make a video about how to import an Access database to a Dataweb application. Here is the final result.  You can see the video by CLICKING HERE. Read more

We were surprised how popular our Explosion Basketball games on the Comcast Video on Demand channels. We shot the games using three High Definition video cameras strategically located in the arena.  Then our editors put together the game films into one super-charged high voltage, high... Read more

John and June Kneepkens Video Biography. John and June have been married a long time.  They are so happy together it is contagious. We were asked to interview them both, then add home movies and photographs, to create a wonderful video biography in their own words. You can see... Read more

Scott Livingston on the Importance of Video Biographies. One day financial planner Scott Livingston stopped by our studios.   We started talking about his family and then the topic turned to the idea of family video biographies. Scott volunteered to sit down in front of a camera... Read more

It was another wonderful day.  Sunshine on the waterfront, near Hood Canal. It was the perfect day for a wedding, and we were fortunate to be there. You can see a short video clip from this terrific wedding experience, by CLICKING HERE. Read more

It was a day we had been dreaming and hoping for many years.  Graduation Day 2008.  Both of my children Jason and Crissy were graduating on the same day from the same school.   It was a very moving experience for our entire family. You can see a short video about this... Read more

In order to make our video better, we needed some live action shots of the Snoqualmie Falls, for our Woodman Lodge video. So my daughter Crissy and I drove over to the Snoqualmie Falls and we went down the winding narrow steps to get our best shots. You can see some of our Snoqualmie Falls... Read more

Bob and Jackie have been married a long time. But they still hold hands and laugh at each other's jokes. They are an inspiration to us all. You can see a short sample from their video biography video by CLICKING HERE. Read more

I really enjoyed my travels to Rochester, New York and Kalamazoo, Michigan to meet the Singhs. I was asked to create a video biography of the Singh family for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The Singh taught me a lot about the importance of family, strong values, and dedication to... Read more

Tiffany Pollard is an awesome cook.  She is also an awesome acupuncturist.  And a superb teacher of how to cook great meals gluten-free.  We were asked to video record several of her cooking classes and then put together a Gluten-Free DVD of her recipes and classes. You can... Read more

Jan Warren - A Woman of Courage Jan Warren is writing a memoir about her adventures and experiences during her dangerous travels to China to do the first white water rafting expedition from the high altitude start of the Yangtze River in China. This video will give you the real... Read more

I first was introduced one day to Dr. Janet Brill through an email then a phone call. Dr. Brill was interested in having our team take some of her current video footage from her seminars, television appearances, etc, and to put together a short film that could be used on Youtube or on... Read more

I am very proud to have met Tiffany and Sharif Robles, who own and operate a very cool martial arts center in Bellevue, Washington, known as the Koei Kan Karate. We spent about four weekends with Tiffany and Sharif and their students.  Our goal was to create a short video that captured... Read more

I really enjoyed meeting the entire Herner family. I was asked to create a video biography that could be shown as a surprise at Gabe Herner's 70th Birthday Party. This meant travelling all across the Northwest and even down to the Avila Beach, California to get the interviews. Here you can... Read more

While creating a video for the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center, I was asked to interview some of the parents of kids who had met with live survivors of the Holocaust. One day we had a visit to our green screen studio by Elizebeth Richards, a mother. While... Read more

Frank Toohey was a very good man. I could not believe the phone call.  I was in a meeting and there were numerous voice mail and text messages from my wife.  She finally texted me that Frank Toohey had been killed in a plane crash.  I could not believe it.  I just had seen... Read more

Paul Burton is a motivational speaker who specializes in helping attorneys and other professionals find more time in their day.  He is an expert in using Outlook and other programs to there maximum. You can learn about Paul at www.visionmechanix.com Paul asked us to capture a couple... Read more

We finally finished the video for the exciting new steakhouse, the Woodman Lodge.  This steakhouse is located in Snoqualmie, Washington in a building that once was the local lodge, where all kinds of people gathered. You can see the video by CLICKING HERE. Read more

John "Bud" Hawk stopped by the office one day. I asked him if he would take a moment to give us a testimonial. He said yes of course. You can see and hear his testimonial by CLICKING HERE. Read more

I was changed by my interview with Leo Hymas. You can learn more about Leo by CLICKING HERE. Read more

Jan Warren is a woman of courage.  She is scheduled to go to China to receive a special award from the Chinese government in recognition for her groundbreaking white water expedition back in 1982. You can learn more about this China Expedition by CLICKING HERE. Read more

It was a sunny day as I drove down the California Coast on my way to Dana Point.  I was getting a little bit sunburn on my face and arms.  Palm trees were everywhere.  I was there to capture the live seminar and a personal interview with the nationally recognized motivational... Read more

It was a beautiful warm sunny day in Cle Elum, Washington. We were there capturing the most unique wedding I have ever seen.  No tuxedos, no expensive wedding dresses.  Just party, party, party. You can see our final wedding video by CLICKING HERE. Read more

Barbie from The Pacific Institute called me one day.  She asked if I could run down to the Westin in downtown Seattle to interview a few people for The Pacific Institute history documentary we are making. I said absolutely.  After going upstairs, I set up my equipment including some... Read more

During this recent election, I could not help getting emotional about some of the issues. Here is a short film I made to express some of my feelings. I am Glad:  CLICK HERE   Read more

We really enjoyed working with the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center. In October they had scheduled their annual fundraising luncheon at the Westin in downtown Seattle.  This year the event was a tribute to the Buchenwald concentration camp liberator, Leo... Read more

In September I was pleased to be able to fly to Detroit, Michigan and then drive north through Flint to Saginaw.  I could see the DELPHI plant just off the freeway.  The next morning I met the Delphi Plant 6 team.  I was there on behalf of Cathy Crosslin and Excellent Cultures. ... Read more

November 2008 It has been a great experience working with the Entirenet team to create some educational labcasts for their client Microsoft. To learn more about Entirenet, go to www.entirenet.net We have been using our green screen studio to produce a clean, branding look.  To see... Read more

         Happy Veterans Day Akina        The photo above was discovered a few years ago in an old Army trunk in my late Grandmother's garage.       This is a picture of my Grandfather, Kep. ... Read more

Happy Halloween   The photo above was sent to me by Greg Shaw from Magnolia, WA. Greg is a local real estate broker who has become known all over town as the "Pumpkin Man"  because every year he goes crazy for pumpkins.  He has pumpkins all over his house. ... Read more

Hello Friends   September has been a fantastic and interesting month for Inventive Productions and me, too.  I have seen my two teenagers move out of the home, heading off to live their own lives, with college and adult life at their door.    I have seen the joy of... Read more

Today was a beautiful day.  I travelled to Lynnwood, WA to meet with Tyler Echelbarger.  About a year ago I created a wonderful video biography on his grandfather Dean Echelbarger.  Today I shot a great interview with Tyler for a marketing video about his successful real estate... Read more

Wealth Manager magazine did a nice article about us. You can read the article here:   WEALTH MANAGER MAGAZINE ARTICLE Read more

  Marsha King from the Seattle Times wrote a great article about us in Sept 2006.  The article was picked up by several newspapers from all across the country. You can read the article by clicking below: SEATTLE TIMES ARTICLE - SEPT 2006 Read more

We are excited about working with Peter La Haye on his incredible new Woodman Lodge steakhouse in Snoqualmie.  Peter has asked us to create a historical documentary, a Video Biography of a Building.  I met with Peter this week.  He gave me a tour of the insides of this... Read more

I had a great time interviewing Adrienne & Chuck Weidenbach here on vacation from Detroit Michigan.  We are creating a custom video biography of their life together.  They have been married nearly 53 years.  Chuck sold insurance for over 40 years.  Adrienne and Chuck... Read more

Here is a photo of Jimy White and Angus Robson. I really enjoyed my time interviewing Angus Robson of Seattle for his Video biography.  Angus told me stories about his childhood during the Blitz in London.  He talked about the constant bombings and how it all was in the eyes of a child... Read more

I really enjoyed driving through a snow storm to Yakima to meet with the Daughters of American Revolution.  They are a great organization with a strong understanding of the importance of preserving family history.  The brunch began with beautiful music from some flutists.  Then... Read more

  We met with two great representatives from the new Lucky Strike Bowling Alley, or the "Bowling Lounge" as they say, that is coming to the Bellevue WA area.  We agreed to help video their Grand Opening celebration and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce After Hours Party... Read more

We got up early today to travel to Gig Harbor, WA for the grand opening of the 500th company store for Jamba Juice.  We captured the event in High Definition.  We really enjoyed seeing the people in banana suits.  When we drove up, there already was a line of people waiting to... Read more

On Christmas eve I received an email from Merl Smith about a special upcoming event.  On January 26th the US Maritime Administration is inducting Captain Leonard LaRue into the Maritime Hall of Fame.  Merl Smith thought it would be great if I attended and possibly showed a sample... Read more

Nathan Mumm is the owner of the Explosion Basketball team.  I had a great time interviewing Nathan about his exciting team and his vision for the 2008 season.  I was quite impressed with Nathan's love for the game and his dedication and committment to bring a Championship Title to... Read more

I really enjoyed doing a great interview with DUI attorney Fern Herbert for her upcoming website and possible television commercial.  She is a very nice person, with a remarkable committment to helping people.  I was very impressed with Fern. Read more

Weddings are one of those special times when families reunite and reconnect.  We have a unique approach to wedding videos.  Using a biographical documentary approach, we try to bring out the stories of all the people involved in this celebration. Here is a sample from a recent... Read more

Happy Mother's Day and A Magnificent May to all my Friends and Family.   A good friend asked me to put together a Top 60 list of short video clips since our beginning, and she asked if she could vote on her Favorite Video.  Sort of like our own Academy Awards.   Here it is... Read more

Tyler Griffin, our managing editor and producer, is over in Kenya Africa this month on a mission to capture video footage of one of the orphanages there. I just received this email from Tyler:   -----Original Message----- From:  Tyler Griffin Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 5:17... Read more

Check out this very heart warming new song dedicated to the Veterans. CLICK HERE Read more

Here is a good article about Ethical Wills: http://lobelinepr.com/biobinders/images/Bequesting.pdf Read more