Jerry Bryant, who produced one of the first local HD shoots for a Blink-182 performance on his “JBTV” series a few years back, is in the midst of fully upgrading his River North studio to HD.
“We’re looking to the future,” Bryant said. “WJYS, which carries the show, is like other local broadcasters in that they’re HD but they’re not using it yet. We want to be ready with programming when they do.” Bryant is seeking sponsors for a six- to eight-camera HD concert show to fully launch his upgraded facility.
In the past few months Bryant made the approximately $100,000 investment in a Discreet Smoke 6 Tesro online HD edit system. “We have an Avid Adrenaline system too, but I love Discreet,” Bryant said.
Bryant currently rents Sony packages from Fletcher for his HD shoots, but will purchase an HD camera package in September. “I haven’t decided yet on Sony or Panasonic,” he said. “We have a track record with the Sony S-900s, but the new Panasonic cameras have a lot more features.”
“JBTV” has run on various local broadcast and cable outlets for the past 18 years, showcasing interviews, performances and videos from local, national and international alternative rockers, from Liz Phair to Radiohead.
“Just about every major artist comes through here, but we’re stressing more local bands these days,” Bryant said. “The music industry has gotten so corporate that it’s difficult for local bands in any market to get exposure. It’s great that shows like ‘JBTV’ take local artists who are often unsigned and give them exposure. It’s something bands need on the way up.”
Bryant also runs Superspots, an agency and production house specializing in TV commercials for radio stations across the country. WDRV 97.1-FM “The Drive” is a recent local client.
“We’re not like any other production house in the city,” Bryant said. “We’re made for distance clients. They don’t even come in ? we do all the creative from here. We don’t work with ad agencies because we are our own agency.”
Bryant is currently searching for graphics people to add to his team of three to four regular freelancers.
“JBTV” runs Wednesdays at 11 p.m. on WJYS Ch. 62 and AT&T Cable Ch. 47, and Sundays at 12:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 8 p.m. on municipal cable Ch. 25.
JBTV and Superspots are at 216 W. Ohio. Call 312/751-8999, email Jerry@JBTVonline.com or see www.jbtvonline.com.
– by Ed M. Koziarski, edk@homesickblues.com
