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November 11, 2007
RJ's Newsletter - Novermber 23, 2006
 
RJ’s Newsletter—November 23, 2006
 
Welcome to RJ’s Inventive Productions Newsletter, which is written to inspire myself and everyone to live a “grand, heroic, life.”  (from a poem by Walt Whitman)
 
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  There sure is a lot to be thankful for this year.
 
This newsletter is dedicated to my youngest sister, Patty McHatton who is a Seabee with the US Navy near Baghdad in Iraq.  She is very excited about the opportunity to serve her country, to help others, and she makes me proud.  She asked me to remind everyone that there are a lot of service people over there who really do appreciate letters from the people back in America.  So if you have a moment, why not write to someone over there and let them know you care.  If you would like to write to a service person over there, go to:  http://www.forgottensoldiers.org/write-soldier.shtml
 
 
Great Quotations:
 
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose” – Robert Byrne
 
“Everything’s in the mind.  That’s where it all starts.  Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it.”  -- Mae West
 
“There is no security on this earth.  Only opportunity.”  -- General Douglas MacArthur
 
“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.”  -- Henry Ford
 
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault
 
 
Inventive Productions update:
 
1.      George B.--We had the great fortune to interview another American Veteran for the Library of Congress and the Veteran’s History Project.  George B told us the incredible first-person story of his experiences at Pearl Harbor during the attack on December 7th, 1941 and of his working on numerous flying missions in Navy Aviation during World War II.  He told a remarkable story of his experience at Guadalcanal.  George is very humble, but he really is a hero.  As a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors group, he volunteers his time to go to schools to tell his personal real-life experiences about that fateful day.  His stories of Pearl Harbor are very emotional, but inspiring, too.  We are proud to be an official partner with the Library of Congress on a quest to help capture the oral histories of the American Veteran.  As a partner in this project, we have volunteered to interview at least 25 vets (FOR FREE) about their military experiences, and to send the DVD interviews to the Library of Congress for archival.  If you know of a Veteran we should interview, please have them contact me for an appointment.  Here is a great website that shows some of the incredible stories that are just now being told.  http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/
 
2.      Here is a new magazine and a great resource   http://reminisce.com/
 
3.      Barbara K—we are making a great Christmas DVD, turning four CDs of photographs into a moving Holiday Season greeting card DVD.  It is a lot of fun putting Christmas songs to pictures and pictures to songs.
 
4.      Pretty cool idea:  http://www.voicequilt.com/
 
5.      Richard & Joyce N—We really enjoyed capturing the Video Autobiography interviews of this awesome couple from Wisconsin
 
6.      An interesting new group: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6460629
 
7.      Robert & Evelyn B—This couple was on vacation here from Iowa, visiting the family.   The family thought it would be a great time to capture their life stories on video.  I really love to meet people from the Midwest.  They are very inspirational.  Their values, their solid outlook on life, their wisdom.
 
8.      A very moving dedication from a husband http://www.fenichel.net/pages/Emily/thematic/memorial_service.htm
 
9.      Randy Kim—we have entered into a special relationship with local estate planner Randy Kim of RW KIM & COMPANY to help spread the word to people about the importance of creating a living legacy with video biographies.  You can learn more about Randy Kim and his philosophies at www.rwkim.com
 
10. New TV channel is on now:  http://www.rootstelevision.com/
 
11. Dave & Fran D—The video biography idea came from their daughter Carla as a gift to the parents.  Dave & Fran live in Roslyn, Washington, the little town where they made the TV series Northern Exposure.  Dave is former mayor and a hero from Vietnam.  He served for over 20 years in the US Navy.  The Divelbiss family has traveled all over the world as part of Dave’s job in the service.  Including working for NATO in Italy.  We are proud to have the opportunity to help Dave and Fran tell their life stories on video.   
 
 
13. A biography of a poodle. We have been asked to create a Video Biography of a very special poodle.  This poodle is rated in the top five in all of America.  Our mission is to create a marketing video that will highlight the achievements of this incredible animal.  This is no ordinary dog, it is an athlete.
 
14. Very funny website: http://www.angryalien.com/
 
15. Lou T Birthday Party. Last week we shot the exciting birthday party for Lou.  Since he was born in 1937, the theme of the party was 1937, so everyone dressed up in period costumes and helped Lou in his celebration of life.  The live music, food, and old stories made an outstanding event.
 
16. A new concept: www.AmericanStoryKeepers.com.
 
17. Video Biographies are now starting to catch on in Australia, too.  http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/11/06/1162661589275.html
 
18. Rotary Group Presentations—we have truly enjoyed doing presentations to several local Rotary Groups about the trends toward personal history and video biography.  The local Rotary groups have been very hospitable to us and have expressed a lot of interest in this topic.  We are currently scheduled to do presentations to six other local Rotaries in the next month.
 
19. Association of Personal Historians.  This is a very unique group of authors and video producers who have dedicated their lives to help people tell their life story.  To learn more about the APH, go to www.personalhistorians.org
 
20. Dr. Mathias Berry—we are creating a series of training and marketing videos for this awesome, energetic, and inspiring Dr. Mathias Berry.  I must admit that I have not met such an impressive person in a long time.  To learn more about his unique services and ideas, go to:  http://www.proadjusterwashington.com/
 
21. Interesting website:  http://www.instantvideogenerator.com/
 
22. New PREVIEW COLLECTION DVD.  We have created a new free DVD compilation of short excerpts from several of our projects.  If you would like a free DVD sampler of our work, just email RJ@inventiveproductions.com and I will send it out to you.
 
23. Inventive Productions on YOU TUBE.  Some of our samples are now viewable on YouTube.com  Just go to YouTube.com and do a search for Inventive Productions
 
24. Detroit Free Press article.  Our work on Video Biographies at Inventive Productions was featured in a cover page article in the Seattle Times in September.  Over the past few weeks, this article has been criss-crossing all across America.  It has been picked up and reprinted by newspapers in Detroit, Chicago, Indiana, North Dakota, Philadelphia, Eastern Oregon, Cle Elum, WA, and Sacramento, CA.  The word is getting out!   You can read the article at:
 
25. Bremerton Sun Article.  Our work with the Library of Congress on the Veterans History Project was highlighted in an article in the Bremerton Sun newspaper.
 
26. Fidelity Investors Article.  The Fidelity Investors newspaper did an article about the importance of using Ethical Wills to share your values.  Here is a link to the article:
 
27. Dan Foley--  We are editing together an incredible five and one half hour interview with Dan.  Dan is a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient from WWII.  Dan was in the 75th Infantry during World War II.  After the war he raised a nice family and enjoyed a long time career with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.  Today Dan is writing a book about his life.  He was very excited to get his story on DVD.
 
28. Terry & Ted K—it was a real pleasure to meet and capture the life stories of this fabulous couple.  Married for over 60 years, it was inspiring to see them holding hands during our interview.  Ted worked for over 30 years with Boeing and Terry was born in Italy.
 
29. West Coast Investors—we are creating a TV commercial for this real estate mortgage company in Portland.  You can learn more about their work at www.westcoastinvestors.com
 
30. Mara Williams.  We shot two great days of dance instruction and interviews in helping Mara to create a Wedding Dance Party DVD.  Mara is famous for her expertise and insight on how to put on the perfect dance-themed party.  Next week we are shooting a mock wedding at the Marysville Opera House.  To learn more about Mara, go to http://www.havingaballevents.com/aboutus.html
 
31. Greg Shaw.  We are producing a TV Commercial for Greg Shaw, a Top Producing Windermere Realtor from Magnolia.  To learn more about Greg go to his website:  http://www.searchmagnolia.com/about/about.php?l=about
 
32. Emerald City Smoothie.   Emerald City Smoothie has in-store flat screen TVs.  Our goal is to create a five to ten minute loop tape that will help put these big screens to work, allowing Smoothie customers to be entertained, inspired, and educated while waiting for their Smoothies to be made.  To learn more about the incredible smoothies at Emerald City Smoothie, go to http://www.emeraldcitysmoothie.com
 
33. It is hard to believe there are only 29 shopping days until Christmas.  Video Greeting Cards and Christmas Cards are a terrific way to express your feelings to a loved one.   Call me if you want more details on how we can create a custom Video Christmas card for your family.  Here is a sample of a great Video Christmas Card created by local producer Dan Morken http://www.goldmedalfilms.com/christmascard.html
 
34. We are very grateful for the personal referrals we are receiving from our clients, friends, and family.  Thank you so much.
 
35. Better Business Bureau.  We are a member of the Better Business Bureau.  According to the BBB, “Members of local BBBs are businesses and firms which meet tough BBB membership standards, agree to follow the highest principles of business ethics and voluntary self-regulation, and have a proven record of marketplace honesty and integrity.”  We are dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction here at Inventive Productions.  For more info about the Better Business Bureau, go to www.bbb.org
 
36. Letip Power Breakfast.  Our team really enjoyed capturing the exciting Letip Power Breakfast on October 31 & November 1st at the Marriott at the Redmond Town Center.  We are also proud to be a member of the Washington Letip organization.  It has been a fantastic experience to meet so many fine folks.  You can learn more about this group at www.washingtonletip.com
 
37. Television Commercials, Marketing DVDs, Training Videos:  We are now creating TV commercials, Marketing DVDs, and Training Videos for other people and companies.  If you have ever thought of getting a TV commercial or Marketing or Training Video created for your company, now is the time to do it.  Call for prices.
 
38. This past summer, the Kiplinger letter wrote a great article about how Americans are starting to catch on to the Video Biography idea.  Let me know if you want me to email you a copy of the article. Earlier this year there was an article in the Wall Street Journal, and just a couple weeks ago another article in the San Francisco Chronicle.  Yes, Video Biographies are on the verge of becoming a main stream product that every family will want.
 
39. Free DVD—we have created a short DVD that explains “How to Create a Video Biography”—call or email for a free copy of this DVD.
 
40. SPECIAL QUESTIONS—one of the reasons why people like our Video Biography system at Inventive Productions is our unique custom questionnaire program.  We use a teleprompter or cue card system during our interviews to help you feel comfortable on-camera.  Our questions are specially designed to help you tell your life story in an easy, professional way.
 
41. D.R.W.—we are excited to be producing a surprise video biography for a woman’s 50th birthday.  Her family doesn’t want her to catch on to the surprise, so we are being super discrete.   The husband has been sneaking photos and home movies from his house and bringing them to us for scanning.  Then he sneaks them back home before being detected.   We always are dedicated to total confidentiality and sensitivity to our subject’s needs.
 
42. Al F.—we just finishing the first draft on the Video AutoBiography on this grandfather in Sherwood, Oregon.  Al has led a very interesting life.  He was in the Merchant Marines during WWII and had a super successful career in the Insurance business for over 40 years.  Now he is limited a lot by a stroke he had a couple of years ago, but you sure can feel his enthusiasm for life.  He is a very inspiring fellow.  He really looks forward to seeing his children and grandchildren when they visit.
 
43. Dean E—we just finished the first draft of a Video AutoBiography on a grandfather from Edmonds.  He has led a Wonderful Life.  It was very interesting to hear about his World War II experiences--he was there when the Americans liberated the Dachau concentration camps.  You can see a sample of Dean’s biography on our website at www.inventiveproductions.com and click on the SAMPLES page.
 
44. Bob & Jackie P—We are waiting for photographs and home movies on this great Husband-Wife Video Biography for a unique couple.  Bob & Jackie have been together for over 50 years.    
 
45. Jan W—We are scanning nearly 20,000 incredible slides as part of the first stage of the production of a heroic Video Autobiography of Jan.  Jan has led such an interesting life.  She led an expedition of white water rafters down the Yangtze River in China, and that is just the tip of the iceberg on this story. 
 
46. Shirley M—We are making the last few fixes to Shirley’s production.   Shirley is such a positive person.   To hear her tell hilarious stories of her Mother and Father and her childhood is priceless.  I think it is awesome to be able to laugh so much about your childhood.
 
47. Jim Z —We are awaiting feedback from the family on our first draft of Jim’s biography. 
 
48. Bill & Dorothy S—We just finished the first draft of the Video Biography.  Now we are making some changes to the music and adding some more photos to this wonderful love story of two people who met at a USO dance during World War II. 
 
49. Gordy G—Our team is working on the post production of a full length Video Biography of Gordy.  Earlier this year we created a short Promotional Biography DVD for Gordy and his team.  Gordy is a nationally known motivational speaker and author who helps individuals and organizations cope with and make Changes.  He is known as the “Change Agent.” (www.ggco.com )  You can see the video online at www.inventiveproductions.com/samples.html   
 
50. Steele Heart Documentary—Our team is producing a fun documentary about a remarkable group of musicians, the Steele Heart Band. (www.steeleheart.com ).  These musicians are actually RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) law enforcement officers who play Country Western Music in their RCMP uniforms at charity concerts all across America, Canada, and other countries. 
 
51. Bill E—How many lives does one man live?  Here is story of a Seattle-area man who has led several lives in one lifetime.  Here is the story of a veteran from WWII, a broadcaster who started on a small-watt radio station in Bend, OR, a children’s TV-show personality from the 60s in Seattle, a dedicated TV producer who captured exciting moments of the early years of NASA at Cape Canaveral, an author, a businessman, a pilot, and a grandfather, father, and husband.  I feel very fortunate to be able to help Bill tell his life story in his own words.   He has terrific stories to describe, and tons of great photos, home movies, and other materials that will help make this DVD a real treasure and heirloom for his family.  One of my favorite stories is about his trip across America with another WWII vet in a restored US Army Jeep.
 
52. The Pacific Institute—we are producing a History and Culture series for the The Pacific Institute. Our mission is to create a mini-series of documentaries that will chronicle the history and culture of this incredible organization.  This weekend we are interviewing several clients and employees from over 30 years.  To learn more about the Pacific Institute, go to www.pac-inst.com  
 
53. Stroke Victim DVD--In this short documentary, Gordy Graham explains his remarkable recovery from having a stroke, using visualization techniques to speed up his recovery.  You can see this short documentary at our website www.inventiveproductions.com  Click on the SAMPLES page.
 
54. Your Own Autobiographical Website—we can now create your Autobiography on the Internet with your own Custom Autobiographical Website.  Using the information you give us in our interviews, we can create a professional website with pictures, video, and more.
 
55. Coffee Table Books & Movie Posters--We can now create a beautiful hard-bound coffee-table Picture Books & Movie Posters. 
 
56. DEMENTIA--50 FIRST DATES--Experts have testified that Biographical Videos can greatly enhance and help in the care of people with memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and amnesia.  Have you seen the movie 50 FIRST DATES?  By watching a video DVD of their life, a person with memory loss can help remember who they are and feel better about life.  Dr. Richard A. Wyckoff  told me that Biographical videos really do help people with memory loss remember their identities.   Check out his website www.geroservices.com  
 
57. Are you too young?  Many people think they are too young to have a Video Biography created on their life.  We have one client who had his Video Biography created when he was 23 years old.  Now he is 28 years old.  His goal is to update his biography every five years of his life.  He feels that his Video Biography helps keep him focused on his life goals and to remind himself of his values.   Why not start capturing your life on Video today? 
 
58. Infomercials.  We have been asked to create an infomercial for a client.  If you would like more information on how we could create an infomercial for you, please contact RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
59. Packages and Prices—our packages and prices are now available in the BREAKING NEWS area of our website at www.inventiveproductions.com
 
60. Financing Available—we are pleased to be able to offer financing if needed.  Call or email RJ for exact details.
 
61. Ship of Miracles.   I am making modifications and creating the final version of the film.  To learn more about the SHIP OF MIRACLES, go to www.shipofmiracles.com
 
62. Writing. I am pleased to have received my first box of my new book “BONUS TIME AND OTHER SHORT STORIES”.  Email me if you are interested in reserving a signed copy.  My first two novels are available on AMAZON.COM.    Just go to www.amazon.com and do a search for RJ McHatton.  You will be able to see my first novel, “THE DIRTY DEED,” and my second novel “MY KIDS.”  My fourth book, “THE BRILLIANTS AND OTHER SHORT STORIES” will be available early next year.  You can learn more about my writing at www.whiteknuckles.com   Thanks goes to Laura Standring for helping me type up my books.  She is awesome.
 
63. Umatilla Film.  My award-winning documentary, UMATILLA, is now available on DVD on Amazon.com.  Just go to www.amazon.com and do a search for UMATILLA.  You will see my DVD there.  You can learn more about this project at www.whiteknuckles.com
 
64. Family. We have only one little puppy left from our recent batches of miniature dachshunds.   You can see a picture of our puppy at www.astoriaweenies.com
  
65. Home for Sale. We are selling our home in Astoria, Oregon.  It is a restored 1900’s Victorian with awesome views.  You can see pictures of the home at www.astoriaview.com  
 
66. Joke of the week:
Q.  What did the rug say to the floor?
A.   Don't move, I've got you covered.
                   (Joke submitted by my son Jason)
 
67. The Inventive Productions Team:
Executive Producers:  Bill Peare & Jeff Sites
Producer-Director:  RJ McHatton
          Sales Producers:  Akina Moscinski, Anita Johnson, RJ McHatton, Matt K., Virgil B., Bill Maxwell
          Managing Editor:  Tyler Griffin
          Production Coordinator:  Kellie Ridenour
          Associate Editors:  Kenny Stine, Shayla Jones, Olivia Howe, Nate, Shawna Cook, Gary Schmidt, and Gary Gerve.
          Graphics Designer:  Bekah Laughman
          Research:  Crissy McHatton
 
Would you like to read some of our old RJ’s newsletters?  Go to:  www.myspace.com/inventiveproductions
 
Thanks for reading my email newsletter. 
 
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
To learn more about Inventive Productions, go to www.inventiveproductions.com
 
Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
 
Have a great day.
 
RJ McHatton
Inventive Productions LLC
3625 132nd Avenue, S.E.
Suite 100
Bellevue WA 98006
Studio office 425-747-4538
Fax 425-747-4564
cell 503-470-0728
 
If you would like to be added to or removed from this email list, please email RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
 
 
 

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