• Why I still do TV

    Yes that photo above is slightly over-the-top, with a slightly over-the-top statement, but I truly do believe in Seattle’s storytelling secret sauce. That’s because it’s a claim that goes beyond 20th century mass communication equivalencies of media (New York City) and entertainment (Los Angeles). It’s not just about the creation of content for consumption, but…

  • New screens for old: is 4K OK for storytelling?

    Media industry folks used to joke that you could choose a winning new video platform if you just followed the porn industry’s lead — from VHS to DVD’s to 1080p. But if you really want to follow the big money, you only need to look to the (somewhat) more respectable professional sports media machine. My…

  • Why we just created a new graduate program in digital media and creative engagement for professionals

    I became an “accidental academic” six years ago when the University of Washington hired me to direct its graduate degree program in digital media (MCDM). I may have been a journalist and filmmaker who had been pushing the envelope with nascent digital and social media platforms, but did not know much about the academy, and had never…

  • All those rich TV sports deals may finally make cable so expensive that we’ll see more demands for a la carte subscriptions. It’s one reason why I cut the cord years ago. I’m indifferent to sports, and I refuse to subsidize media that holds no value for me. I’ll just watch those Super Bowl ads with…