Blog

Dallas TV Sports Producer Lee Martin Dies

2012-05-07T15:07:30Z

When I graduated college I found a job with a startup company in Dallas called Dallas Post Productions. It's sister company was Lee Martin Productions, founded by Lee Martin. Dallas Post grew into the largest post production facility in the southwest in the 80s, and sports productions fed to us by LMP were a big part of that.

We officed in the same building and often co-mingled projects and people. Lee Martin Productions was THE production company of the Dallas Cowboys back then, and it was very neat to be a part of Dallas Cowboys Weekly, The Tom Landry Show, The Michael Irvin Show, Barry Switzer's Press Conferences and more.

Lee showed faith in me when some others didn't, giving me a chance to grow by including me in the production processes of his shows. I was a kid back then, but I had a lot of energy and wanted to really work. Probably one of my early highlights was directing some episodes of Sunday Night Showtime, mentioned below. It was an exciting time as the Cowboys were just starting to build their dyanasty under Jimmy Johnson's leadership. Later on it was editing the Michael Irvin Show - good memories! There were others of course, but today I am thankful of the opportunities afforded to me by Lee Martin. Rest in peace.

His obituary as posted by the Dallas Morning News this morning of May 07, 2012:

Lee Martin, a giant in local television sports production, died April 30 in his native Kentucky.

Martin's son Mike, passed on the sad news this morning. Mike said his father lost a lingering battled to bone marrow cancer. He was 64.

Lee Martin was the sports anchor at Channel 4 from 1977-1979. Soon after he left Channel 4, he started Lee Martin Productions.

Dallas Cowboys Weekly show from 1980-1989. His company for years also produced the Tom Landry Show. In 1986, it offered the Cowboys “Ticket To Training Camp,” daily live broadcasts from training camp in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The company also worked with WCCW and the Von Erich family in the 1980s. From 1992-1994, Martin also hosted Sunday Night Showtime which aired first on Channel 4 and then Channel 11. It featured sports talk and music. Among the regulars who joined Martin were were Randy Galloway and Jim Dent.

Ennis, TX shoot!

2012-04-20T01:39:55Z

Shot some great stuff today in Ennis. The weather was fantastic and the exterior shots we did had beautiful colors and contrast - used the AG150 rig with SMALL HD monitor - 1280 x 720.

Here are a couple of video stills -

Chicago Cool

2012-03-21T02:50:09Z

For a short time, I was a segment writer for some of the MetroScene TV shows - it was a freelance gig and wow, what a great show. Very hip editing and producing. Here's a screen grab from their website.

Winter Sunset - Mesquite, Texas

2012-03-10T05:21:07Z

Took this early March photo out of the front windshield - -

Ellen Fox from the cable show "Rotten Tomatoes!"

2012-03-10T02:23:51Z

Ellen Fox from the cable show "Rotten Tomatoes!" came by today to have two short videos recorded. Very professional and wonderful on camera.

Ellen posing for "make-up check" before we roll!

Chesapeake Energy

2012-03-09T23:36:54Z

We did a two camera HD shoot today at Chesapeake Energy in Fort Worth for a client - went about an hour. We had one camera track the presenter, the other get the audience reaction shots. We shot in 1280x720 30 progressive using the EX1 and the Panasonic AG150, both beautiful 3 chip sensored cameras!

Video stills from a recent shoot at Chesapeake Energy in Fort Worth, Texas

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2012-03-08T19:56:36Z

Working with some wonderful clients

2012-03-07T17:37:09Z

This year has gotten off on the right foot, as I try to surround myself with quality people (clients) that understand I'm going to work hard for them. In return, they do the things I expect from them. Providing me the information I need to have to do a good job! Too often the expectation is the video production company is expected to "make magic." Well, hopefully at the end of the day, the final product is magic - but it takes both of us working together.

We are a fee for service industry, and I'm also so appreciative when the client steps up and has that conversation with me. I want to concentrate creatively on their projects, not worry about the dollars and cents after the initial agreement. Like I tell my son, "Do what you say you're going to do." Works both ways.

The small video clip above was shot for a company on the east coast I do signficant work for - I get to travel, work directly with their clients and creatively shoot in high definition.

Have a great day and call me, Kurt with Legend Media, if you have a project that needs video!

Support our series!

2012-01-01T21:59:03Z

Gary Nicholson / Whitey Johnson live at Theatre 166

2011-12-03T18:02:14Z

Above is a video still of Tony Brown, producer of the Real Music @ 166 series. Legend Media Producers provided full HD capture for this year series - the stills seen here were taken from the 1280 x 720 HD capture.

Above and below are video captures from the Texas Blues Christmas show at Theatre 166 in Carrollton this past December 2nd. Part of the Real Music @ 166 video series, This show featured Gary Nicholson and played to a full house.

Below, Gary Nicholson performs live for a packed Theatre 166 in Carrollton, TX - December 2nd.