“If you want to succeed in the media world get help from a seasoned pro.”

MICHAEL MEARS
415-460-9996
Wisezenheimer@earthlink.net

If you’re looking for help as you sojourn on your media path, and if you believe that thirty years of experience in just about every area of the media guarantees a competence and capability to guide and steer you to success than read on and see if you could use my help.

I started in broadcast television when I was 22. On a dare I auditioned for the host of an educational variety show. Don’t ask me how, but I won the audition. (I guess they liked my stand-up comedy routine explicating humor.)

For the next six months I lived in a state of white knuckle, knee wobbling, mouth drying anxiety writing half-hour scripts, locating talent, and hosting a series – AND I HAD 0 EXPERIENCE. I had hardly even watched any television.

But I did it. It was successful. I had some marvelous guests, including the first-time-ever-on-television appearance by Joni Mitchell. I learned so much from that series:

From there I went to WGBH in Boston where I was a fundraiser/grant writer, scriptwriter, producer/director and executive director of educational television for the state of Massachusetts.

Then to the street -- Sesame Street -- as an assistant VP. I helped create the Products Group. I worked with Jim Henson developing books, games, toys, and the Muppet characters for Sesame Street’s foray into retail.

Later, two partners and I formed a production company and produced Searching for Values, the most successful high school film series ever produced.  We took thirteen of Columbia’s films and recut them from their original tracks, retitled them, isolated a particular theme and withheld the dénouement, leaving it in the hands of the students and teachers to resolve. What an extraordinary way to learn to edit and conceptualize film. 

Then on to Maine as head of programming, production and public affairs at the state’s public television station. For ten years I creatively programmed the station, produced, directed, edited, hosted and executive produced about 150 programs: documentaries, variety shows, game shows, public affairs programs, specials, PSA’s and fund raisers. The station was per capita one of the most viewed in the PBS system.

I left that station to produce a series for PBS, and continued on as an independent producer raising money for projects dear to my heart, media directing a portion of the California

Anti-tobacco Initiative, producing infomercials with Hollywood celebrities, media consulting for the California anti- tobacco initiative, writing and directing commercials, and producing a series of video and audio programs.

I got involved with ATMA when I met Sharon Hart. We developed an amazing E-learning concept, WisezenheimerU, and an animated TV series we hoped would rival The Simpsons. It didn’t, but, oh, did I ever learn I lot from that experience that could be invaluable to you.

In fact, my sojourning through the media world has taught me so many things that could assist you and save you precious time and money. Like…

How the media works and how to work the media. How to have camera presence. How to overcome stage fright. Where the real jobs are in the media and how to get them. How to develop scripts and how to doctor them when they are crippled.

How to create dynamic integrated marketing campaigns. How to write and get a grant. How to produce. How to direct. How to conceptual edit. How to find your niche market. How to raise money. How to write hypnotic web copy.  How to design a website that SELLS your product.

Can I help you?  Call me or Email me: 415-460-9996  - Wisezenheimer@earthlink.net.