Dr. Gary Rice considers the SLPM his greatest life achievement. Dr. Rice is Vice Provost at UAA’s Office of Institutional Research. I first helped the University refine its core messages. I then conceived and produced 3d visualizations to assist Provosts, decision-makers and legislators better understand the  shortcomings of the current graduation-centric model and the merits of a new metric for higher education.

The entire public portion of the media initiative can be seen here.

Beyond that—philosophically and strategically—I am convinced that unlimited high performance broadband for everyone is vital to the state’s education and business interests. The internet is like a modern roadway system for how we do everything. It’s foundational and indispensable.

Yes, what I just said conflicts with my strong capitalistic ideals and conviction that GCI has a right to dictate its own terms.

I hope at some point we can figure out a way to make it all work better for Alaska internet users, while still providing GCI, ACS, and MTA lots of revenue.

However, from the standpoint of a new media professional…I have no worries. I’ve mastered the techniques to deliver rich media through thin pipes, and I’m getting even better with advanced compression/decompression.

As a marketing professional reading this post you understand what I mean: creative moments just happen. You see something new. You think of the perfect campaign…the ultimate story line. The important thing is to not let these moments get away.You must capture them.

This baby has a redesigned 45-point AF system including 39 cross-type points, can shoot 10fps in burst, and handles extremely low light conditions with ease. (ISO range of 100 – 12800). For video projects I can now use Canon’s famous L lenses and shoot in 1080, or 60fps 720p. Wahoo!

I conceived, wrote, produced and designed the commercial last Spring for MTA. I was hired by a top Anchorage agency, Walsh Sheppard and worked with Tony Shepherd on the spot. I’m a big football fan and was already in heaven watching the game. Seeing the commercial was a huge honor and treat that made the day very memorable.

The spot, entitled “How Quick Can You Click” celebrates the uber cool MTA online directory. There was no “location” outside of a green screen. I built an entire virtual 3d set and married live actors into the 3d camera perspectives. You can see the commercial in the Ice Cave portfolio. It’s the first sample.

My cousin and I have started chatting about possibilities. He is an noted author in Colorado Springs. Keith is a ghost writer for several celebrities. One of his books has been popular enough for Walmart to add it to their inventory. We are both stoked. The iPad won’t just be about a new device. I think we are going to see a new culture of media where there is more viable for-pay Internet content.

The free Internet isn’t working for newspapers, magazines and publishers and I still suspect that if push comes to shove customers will still belly up and pay for good media. Steve Jobs certainly helps those prospects. Remember when iTunes launched people suspected whether anyone would pay for tunes that they could so easily pirate songs for nothing.

I first came to Alaska to craft a database for a training initiative up on the Slope. So carrying the title FileMaker Consultant? It’s like coming home. Again. File it!

I’ve often heard it’s important to declare your goals. I’ll share three of mine for the year.

At the beginning of 2009 I got too comfortable hanging out in the cave and I let my health slip, but that has been remedied. I lost over 30 pounds in the course of 2009 and am projected by Spring to trim down to my college days weight.

Thus…
Goal #1: Drop 15 pounds.

Goal #2:
Join a rowing, biking or hiking club this summer…

Goal #3:
Network one-on-one with one new top Anchorage professional each week.

Good luck with your 2010 goals and aspirations! To a Perfect 10!

You can see some of the treatments here.