Video Production | Episode XI Studios

Hope 4 Gaston is a Christian outreach ministry serving the Greater Gaston area. It is a collaboration of churches, community leaders, and volunteers who are working together to strengthen communities in Gaston County. “Our goal is simple, God’s people helping God’s people. Just as Jesus said in Mark 10:45 (TNIV), ‘for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve’. As followers of Christ we believe we are called to serve in our neighborhoods and communities to show his love to others”, says Pastor Dickie Spargo of Bethlehem Church of Gastonia.

Planned for May 2, 2009, Hope 4 Gaston plans to give a face-lift to many of the homes in the Highland East Community in Gastonia, NC. Repairs include painting, roof repair, and lawn maintenance; all will be completed by the end of day, May 2, 2009. Many churches, contractors, associations, and allied companies have already come together for the cause, by donating supplies and labor. We at Episode XI Studios are proud to be a part of such a worthy cause, and looking forward to working as the association’s video production company. The website for Hope 4 Gaston is: http://www.hope4gaston.com.

Episode XI Studios was recently asked to be featured on The Don Quixote Society network. The society has evolved from a legend surviving 5 centuries. Once rumored to be a “Secret Society” its members, both Don and Donna Quixote’s are reputed to have caused all of the positive changes and advances that humanity has enjoyed over the past 500 years.

A brief description of the Episode XI Studios beginnings appeared in The Don Quixote’s network on January 22, 2009. The article explains the humble beginnings of Episode XI Studios through the eyes of the founder-Randy Davis.

Below is the article as appeared in the Don Quixote’s network:

Welcome to, Quixote, The Legend Lives On where this month our fellow member Randy Davis, president and founder of Episode XI Studios in Charlotte, N.C. shares a true and challenging story about the pursuit of his unique-purpose…his quest. We know you will enjoy reading about Randy’s inspiring journey as told in his own words below.

“Have you ever interviewed for a job, and walked out saying, ‘this job was made for me.’ I had such a job, where a perfect match of my talents and company needs exist. I had answers to their problems, and the company was willing to give me free reign to do what I saw fit for further growth.

I quickly began to use my best talents to create graphic-production workflow and streamline the production process with our Chinese factories. Within a few short months I became the hero of the company-increasing profits and reducing cost. I had, for once, created the job that I wanted and it was very different that the one that I was hired to do. I had managed to turn my production artist position into the graphics department manager, company liaison to the Chinese factories, and video production producer for the top tier customer base.

I worked as a salaried entrepreneur, producing customer specific videos for clients such as Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, and Walgreens, just to name a few. Not only was I producing video shoots within the United States, but also in almost every major city in China and Hong Kong. Traveling back and forth to China was a fantastic opportunity for someone new to a company and in a self-created position. With an unlimited expense account and 32 trips to China, I had it made…or did I?

As the new VP of Marketing settled into her position, she decided to cut my position and with no indication, I was let go. Just ‘some changes that needed to be made,’ I was told. For five years, I had worked unceasingly for this company. There were times when mid-night came and I was still working. There were times when the clock chimed 3 am and I had just gotten to work for the day. The job was my life, and I was great at it. I had been instrumental in increasing company profits from 40 million, to 50 million in only two years time, but those days was gone now. I drove home, and those 2.2 miles where longer than I had ever remembered. I began to cry and was uncertain how I was going to tell my wife that I had lost my job.

I am, what the Chinese call, a monkey. I was born under this Chinese zodiac sign, and I fit most of the characteristics of the monkey. I love to have fun and be around others, but I am also easily discouraged, but manage to regain momentum fairly easily. After a few days of ‘walking in the dessert,’ so to speak, I took out the old resume and began my search. Two years later, my search continued, and I was still without a job. Depression began to set in and I began what some call, ‘The dark night of the soul.’

God gave man one very important job-to take care of his family. Imagine how I felt when I couldn’t do that. Imagine how I felt when my own father-in-law called me a failure and a disgrace to my children. Imagine how I felt when I ‘couldn’t be a man.’ My sanity was hanging by a thread, and because by parents are deceased, I was alone…all alone. How could my in-laws turn on me like this? I had sent over three hundred resumes out, with no response. I had joined every job seekers network group in the area. No more were the days of getting a retail job at Wal-Mart or even at a grocery store; the Hispanic population had taken those jobs, and for a lot less than I could have worked for. As a monkey, I was down and down low…nowhere to go but up or sideways.

Everywhere I went, everyone told me to start my own business. When I say everyone, I don’t mean 2 or 3; almost everyone that I knew told me to start my own business. The idea sounding good enough, but there was one problem, ‘what the hell did I know about starting a business?’ I was merely a technician…someone who knew video, graphics, photography, and color theory, but nothing about business. I had no MBA; I had no college fraternity to lean on; I had no parents to ask advice, but I did have drive, desire, and a willingness to learn as I went along.

I began Episode XI Studios in the late winter of 2007. I had nothing to start with. Everything had to begin from nothing-website, print collateral, video equipment, photography equipment, business plan, brand design, and the entire legal BS the government puts people through when starting a business. I never could have done it without the help of my business partner Beth Sowell, the support and understanding of my wife, and the few dear friends that I met along the way of my business journey.

The beginning was rocky and I knew where I wanted to go, but had no clue how to get there. All of the money to get the business started was charged on Credit Cards which quickly mounted to over $30,000. I struggled daily to pay the bills and learn what I needed to survive. Though stress was high and the future was uncertain, I noticed one thing-for the first time in my career, I was happy. I was doing it; I was living my life, I was finally doing the one thing that I absolutely loved to do, and I was getting paid for it.

Episode XI Studios will be one of those success stories that you will be hearing more about, a company born out of nothing but a dream and developed into a well-loved brand. It already is a success story, not only for me, but my customers. Episode XI exists for the sole purpose of serving our small to mid-size business customers and helping them to do even better.

We strive to provide them with the look, content and feel that the ‘big boys’ enjoy in their marketing, but to do it within ‘realistic budgets’ that smaller businesses can afford. We are dedicated to using our unique-talents to provide our clients with the very highest quality and the best value.

Neither Episode XI Studios, nor I would be here today if it weren’t for the dark times that I have traveled. I never would have been ready for my journey before those long work-days, and numerous trips to China, but I am ready now. Have you ever heard of a one year old video production company being invited to shoot part of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? I have, because I was that company.”

Randy can be contacted at http://www.episodexistudios.com/ or 704-451-5073.

Joe Murtagh

The Don Quixote Society^TM
9817-5 Emerald Point Drive
Charlotte, NC28278

704-504-2549
800-239-0058

Email:  Joe@TheDonQuixoteSociety.com

Web: www.TheDonQuixoteSociety.com