dugsound

Happy Holidays From Our Family To Yours

2011-12-24T17:43:00.001-06:00

Hope all your dreams come true in two-oh-one-two.

Happy holidays and happy 2012. ChiIL out and rock on.

From Dug Production Sound

Dugsound.com

ChiIL Mama.com

ChiIL Live Shows.com

ChiIL Travel Kids.com

Bon, Dug, Du-Jay and Sagezilla

Future Food, Planet Green

2011-04-18T16:32:00.002-05:00

Double click the slideshow for captions and info

Future Food, Planet Green

Emmy Rossum from Shameless and Big Photo Filled Recaps Coming

2011-04-18T16:30:00.000-05:00

Emmy Rossum, singer

and actress on Showtime's Shameless, sang at the grand opening of the new Marriott, downtown Chicago at LaSalle and Adams March 7th

Here's a bit of what we've been up to at Dug Production Sound, Inc.

We're going to break these into different post for easy searching, since some are a blast from the past, and some are very recent.   If the episodes Dug shot are on line, we'll include links to video clips wherever possible. Enjoy!

Future Food, Planet Green

Mysteries At The Museum, Travel Channel
Sue, Field Museum
U505, Museum of Science and Industry
Spirit of America car, MSI
Tesla, MSI
Click here for episodes

American Greed, CNBC
History Detectives, PBS
I Used To Be Fat, MTV
Lions Club International Videos in Honduras and Baltimore

Monday Night Football (Bears), ESPN
Green Bay Packers Win, ESPN
Big 10 Tailgate, Big 10 Network

Cash Cab, Discovery Channel
My Strange Addiction, TLC
CNBC Specials: The American Tax Cheat, (and more yet to air)
First 48, Missing Persons, A & E

Fast and Fabulous/NASCAR

Wedding

(featuring driver, Kyle Bush), Style Network

Oprah, with guests from Buried Life (click HERE for the episode Dug worked on)

Giuliana & Bill, Style Network
The Squeeze, MSNBC
Lottery Changed My Life, TLC

Go Bears

2010-09-27T20:08:00.000-05:00

Tonight Dug is working pre and post game interviews for The NFL Network.

Dug Production Sound -- 2010

2010-08-10T13:09:00.002-05:00

These photos are Dug and his 9 year old son. This series is titled "try my gear on early so you choose to be a veterinarian instead of a location sound engineer. You may still have to lift heavy animals, but you won't have to hump them around for 12 hours and run down the street with them strapped to your body!"

Dug is still out in L.A. working on more episodes of American Greed for CNBC, with Bill Kurtis's company, Kurtis Productions. Then he's back in Chicago to do more episodes of Giuliana and Bill, or G & B, as the crew calls 'em, for The Style Network.

Then he's shooting the first season of a Missing Person's show and back out to handle more episodes for Mysteries at the museum for The Travel Channel.

When he gets back in town, we'll compile a 2010 highlights slideshow, to get everyone back up to date on Dug Production Sound projects. Here are a few past projects we missed blogging about. Dug's worked with Kanye West on a benefit concert aired on Fuse.

Fuse Interviews Kanye West About Charity Concert at Chicago Theatre - The funniest videos clips are here

He's also shot multiple segments for a local police ride along show that's getting picked up, and he also covered a number of city shows for Karl Productions.

For now, here's a mini slide show featuring U.S. Winter Olympic Athletes Dug interviewed for a number of Last Call With Carson Daly episodes for NBC. The shoe guru and a few shots of Carson checking out Chicago are in there as well.

Double click on the slideshow for full screen options.

We're also going to get all "this decade" and add Twitter, so you can follow Dug around town and around the world, with quick updates and fun photos. See you out there.

Paranormal Cops Tuesday Nights on A & E

2010-02-01T22:04:00.000-06:00

photo by Chad Feuerhelm

Here's Dug with cast and crew members of Paranormal Cops, at their premier party. Now, you too can watch an episode WITH the paranormal cops. Tomorrow night, Chicago's own resident ghost busters will be viewing the 3rd episode at the Stag's Head Irish Pub, where the episode was filmed. It's on Archer Ave. in Willow Springs, Illinois. "Paranormal Cops" is on @ 10:30pm/9:30CT on A&E. So tomorrow night, head on down to meet the team.

Paranormal Cops Episode: Stirring Up The Dead airs this Tuesday night. A&E has clips for all the shows on and "Paranormal Cops" is listed as number 8....and #1! The Facebook Fan Group has over 1,000 members now, too, so check it out.

Paranormal Cops Premiers Tonight at 9:30PM on A & E

2010-01-19T10:04:00.001-06:00

Dug was Sound Supervisor for the first season of Paranormal Cops, which airs tonight at 9:30 central time.
Chicago Paranormal Detectives will star in their own ghost hunting series on A & E, with the long awaited premier. Check out the normal, abnormal and paranormal with a team of police officers by day; paranormal cops by night.

They had some of the best swag of the year with glow in the dark Chicago Paranormal Detectives crew shirts and glassware, plastic handcuffs and little plastic cops.

You can also become a fan on Facebook or Twitter.

Here's To Great Sound Again In 2010

2010-01-01T08:51:00.041-06:00

Happy New Year From Dug Production Sound, Inc.

For sound decisions and audible audio.

"What's the Matter With Kansas?" Back in Chicago at Gene Siskel Film Center

2009-12-01T10:52:00.001-06:00

For those who missed it the first time, Dug did much of the location sound on this excellent documentary over a span of several years. I caught an early preview last year and it's well worth checking out.

--"What's the Matter with Kansas?" is coming back to the Gene Siskel Film Center! Click on the red link for Laura and Joe's web site, with scenes from the film and great reviews.

RAVES:

“*** ½ -- I’ve never seen a documentary quite like it. It has a point to make, but no axe to grind.” – Roger Ebert

**** - Time Out Chicago
“A fascinating and, really, heartbreaking doc… What’s beautiful about the movie is its lack of judgment by the filmmakers. They just let their subjects – good people whom you like – talk. Draw your own conclusions.” – San Francisco Chronicle
“A funny, smart and important look at the intersection of religion and politics in America today. It’s a movie that needs to be seen in both red and blue states, by liberals and conservatives alike.” – In These Times

SHOW TIMES:

Friday, December 18, 8:00 pm – Q &A with Laura and Joe!
Saturday, December 19, 8:00 pm
- NO SHOW ON SUNDAY -
Mon, December 21, 7:45 pm – Q & A with Joe!
Tuesday, December 22, 6:00 pm
Wednesday, December 23, 7:45 pm

Gene Siskel Film Center - 164 N. State Street - CHICAGO - (312) 846-2600 - http://siskelfilmcenter.org

Watch the trailer and learn more on our official web site: http://whatsthematterwithkansas.com
Listen to us on WBEZ: http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=36831
Watch Joe on The Interview Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJg8GymRLdY

You can buy tickets by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. or http://siskelfilmcenter.org/node/316

You can also purchase tickets at the Gene Siskel Film Center box office, 164 N. State in downtown Chicago, after 5pm weekdays and 2pm weekends.

Dug Sound--Best of October: American Greed, Bulls Media Day, B96 Gun Pledge, Gary Allan, MSNBC-The Squeeze, Naked Girls Reading, Playboy,Victoria's Secret Model Search

2009-10-27T10:45:00.002-05:00

American Greed for CNBC: October was a busy month at Dug Production Sound. Dug spent the first week traveling coast to coast with American Greed, for Kurtis Productions. He flew to the west coast for interviews in L.A. and San Diego.

Then he was home briefly and off to New York.

Cameraman, Darryl Miller --Cross eyed and Painless

Check out American Greed on the CNBC web site, to view past episodes and see a schedule for upcoming shows.

Bulls Basketball: Dug worked The Chicago Bulls Media day with cameraman, Joe Jans. He's now interviewed Bulls and Bears. Now, if someone would just call him in on the Blackhawks interviews, ads, and games.........he'd be a happy guy.

Shoot the pacifists: Dug did his part to curb violence, shooting the B96 Gun Pledge, where Chicago city school kids pledge not to use guns.

J Niice and Showbiz Shelly, B96 DJs, signed autographs.

We don't have photos, but Dug also worked the annual gun turn in for CPD, and the annual candle light vigil for fallen police officers.

Gary Allan: This sold out House of Blues show, with country legend, Gary Allan, was filmed in it's entirety,and is set to air around New Years.

MSNBC The Squeeze: Dug "squeezed" into a bullet proof vest to ride along with Cook County Sheriffs, for the MSNBC Documentary channel. Click on The Squeeze link, for a preview of the show.

MSNBC Documentaries Channel - Check out a preview of MSNBC's new series, "The Squeeze." Follow along as criminal intelligence investigators go inside America's largest jail, Chicago's Cook County.

Dug documented the day to day lives of sheriffs on the job, and participated in a huge take down, that was a culmination of a lengthy sting operation.

The "lucky Dug's wife's not a jealous prude" trifecta--Naked Girls Reading, Playboy, and Victoria's Secret Model Search: How many married 44 year old men get to spend their work days with hot model wannabes and nude lit majors? Dug hit the triple jackpot in October, and lived to tell about it. First, he shot at Michelle L'Amour's burlesque show and Naked Girls Reading event, for Carson Daly. Here's the clip.

I didn't think they wore clothes?! Dug then shot a Sizzle Reel for a potential Playboy fashion reality show. Yeah, I thought "Playboy fashion" was an oxymoron, but evidently they do have a young cadre of hot, fashion buyers, for the parts of the magazine where people aren't just wearing their birthday suits.

The talent were clothed, but barely.

My darling husband came home complaining about such sound nightmares as crotch skimming mini skirts that wouldn't cover the mic power packs, noisy see-through, plastic raincoats, and skin tight, cleavage baring tops--impossible to hide mics under, without a lot of pushing, pulling and wrangling. Awww. Let me break out my tiny violin.

Secretly a sadist? Then, Dug finished the month with a Victoria's Secret Model Casting Call. Thousands of hot, model wannabes stood in the freezing rain for upwards of 5 hours on Saturday, in their stiletto heels and skimpy outfits.

The vast majority of high heeled hopefuls were rewarded with a few minutes before the judges and a coupon for a free lace thong with bra purchase, before being paraded through the room, and directly out to the alley. I "almost" feel sorry for them. Nah.

Approximately 30 were chosen for a closer look, and then they narrowed the pool of thousands to nine. Winners will go to Victoria's Secret Boot Camp.

CBS will broadcast the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 10/9 central.

Drooling Cows and Philanthropic Lions

2009-10-27T09:46:00.000-05:00

Lions Club International: At the end of September, Dug flew to multiple locations in Alabama, to shoot footage for the Lions Club.

They started at The Miracle Field, a specially designed baseball diamond with wheelchair friendly surface and beeping baseballs for the blind, which enables everyone to play.

Then they filmed a county fair fundraiser and followed The Lions Club, as they donated money for new computers, to a local Jr. High.

Their regular crew flies all over the world, documenting Lions Club philanthropy, so Dug would love to work for them on future shoots, and travel more.

Last Call With Carson Daly--Vancouver Winter Olympic Swag Bag

2009-09-28T08:00:00.012-05:00

We have lots more photos from Last Call, but they're pieces that won't be on until the Winter Olympics, so we'll save those shots for later. No sneak peeks till the episode airs.

I can show you the impressive swag bag, though. Dug came home with a huge, rolling duffle, courtesy of Allstate. It was filled with a quality laptop bag, bearing the Olympic graphic and the words, Chicago 2016 Candidate City that I commandered. The kids each got smaller draw string backpacks with USA Vancouver 2010 on them. We also got an impressive assortment of Olympic logo swag: jump drive, winter fleece hat n scarf, baseball hat, bracelets, blanket, calendar and various sponsors products. Gotta love those corporate freebies.

Last Call With Carson Daly--Behind the Scenes on the Chicago Shoot

2009-09-27T14:42:00.000-05:00

Last night, the Chicago episode of Last Call With Carson Daly aired, and two photos of Dug made it on the show. One is in the opening stills, and one shows him behind the cameraman, staying out of the shot, on the Sky Deck Ledge of the Tower formerly known as Sears. So, here are some of Dug's photos from the shoot, to return the favor.

Cast and crew clowned around in the Willis Tower observation rooms,

where clear walls and floors of the Sky Deck Ledge give an unobstructed ariel view of the city.

They also hung out at the Angels & Kings bar, owned by Pete Wentz, bass player for the band, Fall Out Boy.

Then they made it to one of our neighborhood favorites, Kuma's Corner on Belmont. Their food rock. And when I found out the restaurant was named for the owner's Akita, I was even more smitten. Our Akita's name is Nakama, Japanese for Circle of Friends. Their Akita was named Kuma, Japanese for Bear! We love and hate to see you guys doing well. After all the great press, we can't get in the door anymore without waiting for hours. Gaaah!

Thanks for the tee shirts with Kuma's bear logo on the front and "Bovine Genocide" on the back. I think we'll wear 'em to Chicago Veganmania Fest, just to mess with our friends who are running it. I was hoping our Windy City Roller Derby girl friend, Mya Ssault would be working when Last Call shot, but she wasn't.

Later that night, Carson and crew were up for some live music. Ladyhawk, New Zealander, Phillipa "Pip" Brown rocked Joe Shanahan's Chicago hot spot, The Metro.

We were just at Metro again last night for an excellent show by Clutch. Clutch has a namesake burger at Kuma's (Clutch Burger: Cheddar, Swiss, Jack, Smoked Gouda) and played a free concert at their anniversary party earlier this summer. Chicago's such a small town sometimes, for a big city.

Carson Daly's connecting interviews were a challenge, as far as boom shadows and external noise, as they were shot on a boat on the Chicago River.

Dug had a great time working with those guys, and fondly and nostalgically compared it to the years he spent shooting Insomniac with Dave Attell. Ahhh.........late night drinking shows. The juncture where work and fun meet. Better than boring ballroom boards...........

Dug Sound September

2009-09-20T22:04:00.001-05:00

September's disappearing fast.   Dug Sound highlights of the month were 5 days on Last call with Carson Daly, for NBC.   The shoot reminded him of the 4 seasons of doing Insomniac With Dave Attell, in the best possible way. Once the episode airs, we'll have lots more info and behind the scenes pixs.

Dug did a day for Pepsi, involving an elaborate mix of live action and animation.    He also shot a day for Platinum Weddings and multiple days for Karl Productions on all their city shows: Connections (CTA), Crime Watch (Police), On Call (Fire Departmant) and At Play (Chicago Park District). Click on the Karl link, above, to go to podcastchicago.tv for convenient podcasts of all the city shows.

The remainder of September, he's heading south to Birmingham, Alabama for a 4 day shoot for The Lions Club. Then he's back briefly and off on a multi state shoot for 11 days with American Greed for CNBC.   We'll also have a lot more photos and info once those episodes air.

What's the Matter With Kansas Chicago Premiere at Gene Siskel Film Center 9/18

2009-08-30T10:27:00.000-05:00

Dug spent years traveling to Kansas repeatedly with film making team, Joe Winston and Laura Cohen, to complete the documentary, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" Here's a prior blog post about the shoot. I saw an advanced screening last year and it was excellent.

Now, everyone has a chance to check it out September 18th-24th at The Gene Siskel Film Center.

Here's what Laura and Joe have to say:

Our new movie, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" based on Thomas Frank's best-seller, is making its Chicago debut at the Gene Siskel Film Center on September 18th, 2009. It will play for a week in our beautiful hometown and we are very excited to bring it home.

SHOW TIMES:
Friday, September 18th, 6:15 and 8:15 pm
Saturday September 19th, 3:15, 5:15 and 8:15 pm
Sunday September 20th, 3:15 and 5:15 pm
Monday September 21st, 6:15 and 8:15 pm
Tuesday September 22nd, 6:15 and 8:15 pm
Wednesday September 23rd, 6:15 and 8:15 pm
Thursday September 24th, 6:15 and 8:15 pm
We'll do a Q & A with author Thomas Frank after the 8.15pm screenings on Friday, September 18th and Saturday September 19t. Also, we will be available to chat informally in the Gene Siskel Film Center's gallery/cafe adjacent to the theater lobby after the 6:15pm screenings both nights.
A lush cinematic portrait of conservative Middle America. four years in the making, the movie answers the question most on the minds of America just entering the age of Obama - WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?

We’re profiled in this week’s issue of the Reader: http://bit.ly/yGIpw
Watch the trailer: http://bit.ly/iAcVC
Read a rave review in Variety: http://bit.ly/iAcVC
Learn about the controversy in L.A. Times: http://bit.ly/Rlk6S
and Salon.com: http://bit.ly/18crpM
visit our official web site: http://www.whatsthematterwithkansas.com
Also -- we've been getting great advance press, but any journalists you know who'd be interested, please put 'em in touch with us.

You can buy tickets by calling the box office at 312-846-2600 or by visiting http://siskelfilmcenter.org. You can also purchase tickets at the Gene Siskel Film Center box office, 164 N. State in downtown Chicago, after 5pm weekdays and 2pm weekends.
See you there!
Laura and Joe
info@whatsthematterwithkansas.com

Peterson Park Hosts Gymnastics Training For Special Olympics 2010

2009-08-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

Dug was recognized, by the kids' gymnastics coach and summer camp councilor, who were both working with special olympics athletes today. Our two have been in park district gymnastics for 5 & 7 years respectively, and our youngest will begin the Developmental Team training in September. Gymnastics has been such a positive influence in their lives, increasing confidence, balance, discipline and strength.

In today's shoot, differently abled children and adults of all ages, in the gymnastics program, were featured in the Chicago Park District show, Chicago @ Play. This segment will likely air later in September and be available then on Youtube. The special olympics athletes are already in training for competition in March 2010.

For more information, check out specialolympics.org.

Marriott Spot Shoots in Chicago with Cheerleaders, ESPN announcer and Unsuspecting Guests

2009-08-26T22:08:00.000-05:00

Tuesday and Thursday this week, Dug is shooting a commercial for the Marriott Hotel Chain. Rich Eisen (ESPN, NFL Network) provides play by play commentary of the Marriott experience. Hotel guests are all actual people, rather than paid actors, and their moment in the limelight comes complete with cheerleaders.

These Guys Really Know How To Clean Up--Living Lands and Waters

2009-08-21T16:18:00.005-05:00

One of Dug's more interesting, and philanthropic gigs this spring, was shooting a river clean up with chemical giant, ADM, and the river warriors from Living Lands and Waters. They all met up in Quincy, IL on for a full day of river resuscitation.

Living Lands and Waters runs numerous river clean up missions and specializes in corporate volunteer days. Big business brings the manpower and Living Lands brings the boats and teams knowledgeable in sorting and recycling the various flotsam.

Chad, one of the founders, was hilarious and kept the volunteers entertained and working hard, with friendly competitions between boats and goofy jokes. At one point he flexed his biceps and said, "Call the vet, 'cause these puppies are sick."

If you like to geek out on fun statistics, check out their web site where they keep a running "River Stats" tally of found objects like:

83 toilets
587 milk crates
128 BBQ grills
181 coolers
55,301 tires
12,322 balls
42 messages in bottles ............

These guys clean up pretty good. April 4th, 2009

Re-Discovery

2009-08-20T10:47:00.004-05:00

It's day 2 on the Discovery shoot. And without blowing any privileged information, I can say Dug's enjoying the crew. The Producer from Texas and Cameraman from the East coast have done numerous shoots together and have great rapport. The word is, they're hilarious and great to work with--helpful traits when you're logging long hours in a van with people.

The producer told Dug she liked his style and attitude, to which he replied, "I didn't know I had either."

Dug's offspring, pictured above, are pretty hilarious, too. And they have loads of style. But their attitudes... Nope. Not so conducive to long hours in the car, or waiting around while grownups talk. But they do play well with others.

So much for freedom of the press ((snark))

2009-08-19T11:15:00.007-05:00

Please note: No crew member should give any statements to the press.

This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity (wow-Discovery e-mails persons and entities?! Does this conclusively mean there is life on other planets?)
to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying,
dissemination or other use of this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.

Today Dug is working for ___(noun)____Channel. They're in town doing a show on

__(noun)_______. He had an early call and had to ___(verb)______ to the _____(noun)__.

by ___(number)______ o'clock.

The day was filled with ____(adjective)_ ___(plural noun)___and numerous

___(plural noun)___.

The interviews were done in a compassionate and professional way by ___(proper noun)_____.

It will be fascinating and informative to learn more about ____(noun)_______. This segment should air around the ___(number)__ of __(month)__.

Our lips are sealed.........

Dugsound Inc. Business Boomin'

2009-08-18T12:11:00.007-05:00

The TV industry may not be boomin' in this economy, but Dug's still boomin'...and mixin'... So we'll shortly have a "best of" the last 6 months up for perusing. Dug Sound, Inc. will now be available on Facebook, so we'll be making regular updates.

I also hope to run regular posts on what's on the air or already aired/on line. Some companies are touchy about bloggers blowing their plot secrets in advance. But once the shows Dug has worked on are public knowledge, they're fair game.

I'm also compiling a regular SWAG n TAG section, featuring a "best of" those staples of TV work.........free stuff, like Chicago Paranormal Detectives glassware, little plastic men in blue and glow in the dark shirts. The tag photos will feature cool, weird lanyards and tags, like the FBI ones that explode with pink dye when your visitor pass day is over.

So, as soon as I figure out how to get this blog linked up with the Facebook, Dug Production Sound, Inc. page, and all that good stuff, you too can stalk Dug and all the sordid characters and assorted associates he has the pleasure to work with. Enjoy.

Confidentiality

2009-03-30T09:30:00.007-05:00

Dug's on a super secret shoot, where he had to sign a confidentiality agreement. Which means, I'd tell you about it, but then I'd have to kill you. So, we'll post lots of info when it gets publicly released.

When we were first dating and flew to Hawaii together, in March of 1995, Dug told me he was a secret agent and used that "I'd tell ya, but then I'd have to kill ya" line. He was sitting in the aisle seat behind me, and as I turned to make some witty retort, my knee bumped the tray, sending a full gin and tonic careening into my lap. That was fun......spending the entire flight to Hawaii pickling in gin soaked jeans. But, I guess the line worked, 'cause I married the guy. And despite my clumsiness and propensity for spilling drinks on myself (more than a few times), he asked me to.

Fourteen years later, he's finally revealing secrets about his work to me, and thankfully he hasn't killed me. But, we can't orphan the children yet, they're young, and the industry ruthlessly protects its secrets. So, the world at large will have to wait, for further info about the top secret project.

Amazing Wedding Cakes by The Cakegirls

2009-03-25T16:10:00.009-05:00

Last weekend, Dug worked on the show, Amazing Wedding Cakes, and spent the day following the creations of Chicago's own Cakegirls.

Cakegirls

Cakegirls is a custom cake studio located in the trendy Roscoe Village neighborhood of north Chicago. An experiment in cake design, Cakegirls has traveled a long road to success, which started in Rochester, Michigan where sisters Brenda and Mary Maher spent years sharing a room, sharing coloring books and most importantly sharing their Easy Bake Oven.

Back in 2000 when we got married, I got a call from our Wicker Park based bakery, as we arrived at the wedding location, saying there had been a disaster. The top layer of our 4 layer wedding cake, to feed 125 people, had fallen into the 2nd layer and both were destroyed! Just what every bride longs to hear. I almost burst out laughing. It's a good thing we're pretty laid back people.

The refrigeration had gone out in the back of the delivery truck and they got stuck for hours in Blues Festival traffic trying to reach our idyllic, but somewhat remote, lakefront location, south of the city. The small top cake was a flourless chocolate and a bit dense, but it still shouldn't have happened. They returned to the bakery and were able to replace the damaged layers and more or less redesign the custom spirals and dragonflies before dessert time.

Fortunately, nothing that dramatic happened to The Cakegirls and their delicious designs, while on camera. The series is already airing on We TV.

Tornado Week on The Weather Channel

2009-03-13T16:35:00.018-05:00

"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." If Dorothy Gayle lived in Greensburg today, the Emerald City wouldn't be the only green town she'd be seeing in the wake of a Kansas tornado.

It's that season again, twister time. And if you missed The Weather Channel's Tornado Week, the last week of February, it's not too late. "When Weather Changed History: Greentown," the show Dug worked on, aired as part of the Tornado Week line up. But you can still see the full episode here.

9th Annual Polar Plunge Chicago--Bikini Girls in a Blizzard

2009-03-07T22:38:00.016-06:00

Chicago winters breed hardy souls and they were out en mass for the 2009 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children's Charities. As temperatures hovered in the low teens and gusts of snow blew sideways, over 1,500 people donned everything from bikini's to winter coats to take the plunge into the icy waters of Lake Michigan.
Windy City Rollers Derby Girls could still outpace Cubs fans in a snowstorm any day.

Police and Fire dive teams were on hand in dry suits. The entrants were more colorfully, but less warmly dressed. Drownings weren't a big risk in the shallow water, but all rescue workers were trained in treatments for hypothermia and possible heart attacks. To prepare for The Polar Plunge, rescue teams practiced relay maneuvers to carry a victim from the water to an ambulance. Four men would take the board at a time and swap out with fresh runners half way up the beach in order to make the best time.

Chicago Park District employees drove two end loaders back and forth through the water to break the ice and keep an open area of water for people to jump into. Despite the giant Slurpee consistency of the lake, a playfulness permeated the event.

Entrants got creative with the costume contest including a well crewed yellow submarine and a plethora of Vikings and Nuns. Even Santa in sunglasses and the Statue of Liberty were sighted.

Daddy's a Ghost Buster--A & E's Paranormal Cops Now Shooting in Chicago

2009-02-11T09:43:00.007-06:00

A&E, or "The Death Channel", as our friend Dave L. fondly dubbed it, is alive and well in these tough economic times. For the next several months Dug is shooting Paranormal Cops around Chicago and the burbs. It seems that people still love to see those worse off than they are, like the recently murdered and those not resting in peace.

The Live Feed featured a posting including this fun graphic, and most of the articles about the show are playing off the Ghostbusters themes, ala "Who ya gonna call? How 'bout 911." They're even resuscitating the infamous line "I ain't afraid a no ghosts."

Despite all the teasing, Paranormal Cops is taking the shoot very seriously. They operate with four real police officers, two tech assistants and a medium who can communicate with the spirits and translate. Here's the official press release . Their tag line is "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."

The cast and crew are working 3 day weeks including brutally long Wednesday night shoots from roughly 4PM to 4AM with E.S.P.--(Extra Superheavy Packsofgear). I can't spoil any info about specific episode content, until that info is made public, but we'll update as more info becomes available.

Happy Holidays Outtakes

2008-12-19T18:06:00.021-06:00

Happy holidays and apologies for the long delay in updating this blog. I had a novel to write and Dug's been too busy workin' to give me a rundown on TV land. Here are a few "making of" shots from the Dug Production Sound 2008 holiday card.

I promise a giant recap of Dug's exploits from October through December including show pilots, divers in a blizzard, missing persons, dead bodies and behind the scenes in the Bears locker room (sorry, no hot photos, girls). May 2009 bring prosperity and change and be everything you hope it will be.

Dogtown

2008-09-07T21:48:00.010-05:00

Dug has been living out in Utah, near Angel Canyon, for the past two and a half weeks, shooting Dogtown for The National Geographic Channel. He had a week off at home and now is back there for another month. Crews have been working there for 9 months, so episodes shot early in the year are set to air this month. Ads for the series are running on The Dog Whisperer.

Fortunately, Dug's a dog person, since they're exclusively shooting the canine angle of Best Friends. Our own Akita and our Shepherd mix forgave him for leaving them for weeks and then coming home smelling like a pack of rescue dogs. He's even full of useful new dog related information, like leads on some effective nylon collars that work like chokers, without strangulation risk.

He spouts odd catchphrases at random times like "Everything good comes from the muzzle." To which I reply, "Good luck with that, honey."

The scenery is breathtaking--literally-- after a strenuous hike with a few twenty-somethings on the crew, one of whom is a pro rock climber. That's what happens when you're 43 and have been letting toddlers set the pace for 7 years of hiking excursions. Dug's been having a great 2nd early adulthood and came home with scabby shins from a borrowed mountain bike. This time he's going with archery equipment for off days.

Most of the time will be filled with filming interviews, surgeries, trainings and rescue missions.
Word is, they eat at the same restaurant for most lunches and dinners. And the local movie theatre has one showing a day of one movie only, 4 days a week. So, for time off, aside from hiking, biking and enjoying the natural scenery, there isn't much goin' on. Still, they are between The Grand Canyon, Brice and Zion, so he's not complaining.

March-August 2008-Bulls Commercial,Kitchen/Bath Show, Pearson, Special Olympics,Farm Pilot,Best Friends

2008-08-11T21:45:00.036-05:00

**Just a quick disclaimer: If a show hasn't aired yet, the blog info will be intentionally vague, but we'll update you when all that good stuff becomes public.

August--Dug is westward bound for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah.

In July, he spent several days on a self sustaining farm, for an eco-friendly series pilot.

July--Dug also enjoyed working for The Big 10 Network.

This July commemorated the 40th year of Special Olympics which began in Soldier Field. Dug shot the opening ceremony for The Chicago Park District.

In July, Dug traveled back to Kansas--this time to tornado ravaged Greensburg which is doing a slow and aptly named green rebuild. The small town was desimated by an EF5 tornado that cut a diagonal path through the center on May 4th, 2007.

In July, the tiny town of Greensburg was inhabited by crews from Discovery, Weather Channel, TLC Extreme Homes, and The Science Channel.

Dug also paid a visit to The National Weather Service in Dodge City, where beleagered meteorologists have to dodge the old jokes about getting paid to guess wrong half the time. A grass roots artist in Greensburg has come up with a new one though, "Tornados blow, Fema sucks". M. G. Liggett's Kinetic art along highway 154 is inscribed with humorous political slogans. His art work and an interview with the artist can be seen in the documentary, What's The Matter With Kansas.

In June, Dale Levitski, of Bravo's Top Chef fame, was cookin' in his home town, Chicago. We have to be secretive about the details, but if/when it airs I'll post more.

In May, Dug shot for Pearson educational videos in several greater Chicago area schools, then flew to L.A. for a week.

In April, Dug worked for The Kitchen and Bath Show for SBC Digital of Southern Progress Corporation. The crew rented Rascal scooters to get around massive McCormick Place with their gear. They had fun while effeciently breezing by all the other crews humping their gear around. Work smarter!

In March, Dug shot a commercial featuring Bulls fans in the stand shouting "Love it Live".

March/ April 2008-Factory Made series for Discovery Channel

2008-08-11T09:55:00.034-05:00

March/April 2008--Factory Made series for Discovery Channel

http://blogs.discovery.com/factory_made/

Dug spent the majority of March and April traveling for the Discovery Channel for their show

Factory Made. First, he flew to Providence, RI and shot segments about nail guns and hurricane nails http://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bown/2006/product_75.html in the Bostitch plant. Dug was impressed by the hurricane simulator machine, which put pressure on a plywood simulated wall piece until it cracked.

Then he was off to Sarasota, FL to interview scientists at Gemesis, who are creating diamonds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eun2c9dElc.

Next, Dug headed north to Spirit Lake and Okobogi, Iowa to the factory where Polaris Rangers and Victory Motorcycles are made.

The first week of April, Dug was on to bigger and faster things, with a trip south to Wichita and Independence, Kansas where Cessna builds their 2.6 million dollar Mustang Jets.

Dug thoroughly enjoyed flying in the Mustang that they filmed being built.

Camerman, Mark Niedelson, filming at Cessna in the paint booth

Dug's string of Factory Made episodes wrapped up back here in Chicago with a shoot in the Creators plant, where they manufacture popcorn makers and hot dog rollers.

April 2008--Equal Voice for America's Families

Dug traveled to Greensville to interview impoverished community members, so they could voice neighborhood concerns to Congress. http://www.equalvoice2008.org/.

On his way back to the airport in Memphis, Tennessee, Dug snapped a few quick shots of Graceland, the message wall, and Elvis' plane-The Lisa Marie.

March 2008--Drew Barrymore for World Hunger

2008-03-30T22:03:00.009-05:00

March 3rd, Drew Barrymore arrived in Chicago to tape an appearance on "Oprah" and announce her generous million dollar donation to The United Nations World Food Program, WFP. Dug filmed her receiving a diplomatic passport at The Chicago Board of Trade. She was with her boyfriend, Justin Long-- "the Mac guy". Traders did a little mock trading with reps from the U.N. World Food Program to speculate how to make their money go farther and feed the most people. http://www.wfp.org/english/

February 2008-"Gangland" for The History Channel

2008-03-30T21:52:00.006-05:00

Dug was "released" from Stateville, and went right back to gang territory, for a TV show for The History Channel called "Gangland". For a week he roamed the streets on Chicago's west side, interviewing gang members and crack heads. All the crew members used aliases and Dug was dubbed Johnny Chicago, after the crew discovered his uncanny sense of direction and insider parking tips. Beats being called the human GPS.

January-February 2008-- "Lock Down" for National Geographic

2008-03-30T19:41:00.005-05:00

For three weeks, Dug trecked down to Joliet to shoot in Stateville maximum security prison for National Geographic. Our preschooler gleefully told her teachers and friends, "My Daddy's in prison." Fortunately his "incarceration" was short lived, since he said it was a bit depressing to go there every day. In the roundhouse, the last circular prison in the nation, the noise was overbearing. The residents yelled if they wanted to be noticed and make it on TV. And they yelled if they wanted the film crew to leave. Of course, all the inmates claimed that they were innocent. The "Nat Geo" Crew were good to work with and Dug's hoping his next gig with them is somewhere more warm and exotic.............where he can take his lovely family.............hint hint.

January 2008

2008-03-30T19:26:00.007-05:00

In January, Dug started 2008 recording a play for The Albany Park Theatre Project. The sign pictured above, is from the play, entitled "Aqui Estoy", which detailed the plight of illegal aliens. http://www.aptpchicago.org/

December 2007--The Beast with Patrick Swayze

2008-03-30T19:10:00.005-05:00

The month of December was spent shooting The Beast, a pilot for an episodic FBI show, shot here in Chicago. Dug worked with other IA476 union sound guys, David Obermeyer and Jimmy Gaudio. Unfortunately, the series is still up in the air after Patrick Swayze's recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We wish him all the best medical care, little pain and fewer rumors of his imminent demise. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,335210,00.html

December 2007

2008-03-30T18:36:00.013-05:00

November 2007-Vince Vaughn, Green Network, Shooting Texas children

2008-03-28T18:03:00.022-05:00

Dug flew to San Antonio in November, with KRT, to shoot Texas school children (No children were actually harmed in the making of this video). Pictured above is camerman, Anthony Florez. Over the past few years, Dug has worked on upwards of 20 different videos for Pearson's educational series for teachers.

Dug interviewed Vince Vaughn and Rachel Weiss at the November premier of "Fred Clause", for Celebtv. Now that the "Fred Clause" DVD is out, it also contains interviews in the bonus material, that Dug did earlier in the year. http://celebtv.com/

Dug also continued to work for his long term, regular clients, Karl Productions. He has worked for them for over 12 years on local shows like "Crime Watch", "Connections", and shoots for the Chicago Fire Department.

He also worked for Production Craft, other long term clients. Dug has worked with them on shoots for MSNBC, the Board of Trade, Nancy Grace and CSPAN's "Book TV". http://www.productioncraft.com/

Dug shot new content for The Discovery Channel's upcoming proposed Green Network. He worked for two days at Green Build at McCormick Place, where hundreds of eco-friendly vendors networked. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/planet-green/discovery-communications-annou.php

Finally, Dug worked a press conference with Illinois Representative Bean. http://www.house.gov/bean/

October 2007-- "What's the Matter With Kansas" documentary

2008-03-28T17:06:00.014-05:00

In October, Dug was back with Joe and Laura, documentary filmmakers with Owmyey. Dug's worked on "What's the Matter With Kansas" with them over a span of two years. These photos are from S.P. Dinsmoore's Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas. The cameraman avoiding the semi, is T.W. Li, fellow Chicagoan and teacher at The Art Institute. http://www.garden-of-eden-lucas-kansas.com/goe3.swf

This trip to Kansas was the last shoot before the documentary hit the editing suite. Laura was 7 months pregnant and has since given birth to son, Milo Cohen Winston on 12/27. Big congrats!

September 2007 American Greed

2008-03-28T14:51:00.003-05:00

Throughout September and October, Dug filmed American Greed for CNBC. He traveled to Washington DC & Mississippi, where the above pictures were taken, outside of Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi. Check out www.cnbc.com under American Greed case #2 Preying on Faith, for the scoop on the FBI raid on predatory pastor Abraham Kennard.

September 2007 Fermi Lab

2008-03-28T13:46:00.007-05:00

Dug shot an episode of "The Answers", at Fermilab, a national science laboratory of the Department of Energy's Office of Science. http://www.fnal.gov/. The machine in this photo looks like a surreal sci-fi movie set and is used to create protons. These protons are then destined to travel at the speed of light, through Fermilab's proton excellerator, a 3 mile circle. Look out! Dr. Who could drop in any moment with the Tardis.

A Brief Introduction to W.A.S.T.E. (Weird and Surprising TV ENG)

2007-09-14T13:49:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the condensed version of the last 9 months. Dug has a rare day off and I'm handcuffing him to the computer until we catch up on the blog. Here's a compilation of Weird and Surprising TV ENG or (W.A.S.T.E.) to waste some time browsing through. I've also included work that involved travel. Enjoy.

W.A.S.T.E.--January 2007 (History Detectives/Super Bowl ads with Rex Grossman & Fred Claus with Rachel Weisz)

2007-09-14T13:04:00.002-05:00

January 15th, Dug did the "Lucy Parsons" episode of the PBS show, History Detectives, about the Chicago Haymarket Riots.

January 24 & 25th, Dug worked with Rex Grossman on Superbowl ads for Snickers and "Body by Milk" spots. Dug also worked on Superbowl milk ads which featured Marvin Harrison and were shot in Indy. Hope Rex cashed the checks before we lost the game. I hope his Snickers and milk diet didn't influence his less than stellar performance.

January 29th, Dug worked on the EPK for "Fred Claus" with Vince Vaughn. He interviewed Rachel Weisz for the electronic press kit. The film will be out for the 2007 holiday season. Ho ho ho.

W.A.S.T.E.--February 2007 (Atlanta vineyard)

2007-09-14T12:46:00.002-05:00

February 8-10th, Dug stayed at a vineyard resort in Atlanta, GA and shot interviews with Doctors. Must be nice to see how the other half lives. Ah, drug money from Sepricor and Lunesta.

It was a brutally cold, typical Chicago February week, and both kids were sick. Dug cheerfully called from sunny Atlanta and was complaining that he forgot a swimsuit and couldn't go in the amazing hot tub. Oh that's rough. I came really close to hanging up on him. He didn't even bring home bottles of wine for us because he didn't want them to break on his thousands of dollars worth of gear. Do they have FedEx in the south, darlin'?

February 17 & 18th, Dug was back in the warm south on a Model Search NYC in Dallas, TX. Next time he heads south in February, I swear I'm stowing away in one of his flight cases.

W.A.S.T.E.--March 2007

2007-09-14T12:36:00.000-05:00

March 1st, Dug interviewed the band, "Gomez" at The Vic.

Multiple times throughout March, Dug shot "Louder than a Bomb", the annual high school poetry slam competition. The Chicago semi-finals were held at Hothouse, with the finals at IIT. Much of the writing was brilliant.

March 12th, Dug worked on "Nancy Grace" Live for CNN.

W.A.S.T.E.--April/May 2007 (Kevin's Room III & Orlando Model Search)

2007-09-14T12:19:00.001-05:00

April 26-30th, Dug made a movie, "Kevin's Room III" for The Chicago Department of Health. It was an ambitious project, shot in the casual style of "The Anniversary Party". When the first rough cut was done, they held a screening in the brand new LBG community health center on Halstead in boys town. We had drinks and international appetisers and enjoyed meeting the cast, crew and their families.

May 11-15th, Dug traveled to Orlando, FL for a Model Search competition. Fun times with model wannabes in the land where the mouse is king.

W.A.S.T.E.--June 2007 ("The Return" with Tim Robbins)

2007-09-14T12:06:00.000-05:00

Most of June & July were filled with shoot days for "Home Made Simple". Right before the season started, however, Dug worked on "The Return" with Tim Robbins. Between scenes, the actor had his ipod on constantly. It was a challenge to boom, because the location was an actual house with a ceiling and not a set. That's what they pay the big bucks for. Chicago crews can handle low ceilings and hand held cameras, unlike the LA crews, who are used to their cut away roofs.

W.A.S.T.E.--August 2007 (Dave Matthews Band--Most Ferocious Drummers & Lion's Club)

2007-09-14T11:04:00.001-05:00

August 26th, Dug shot at Alpine Valley Music Theatre for the "Most Ferocious Drummers" documentary. He interviewed Carter Beauford, drummer for Dave Matthews Band.

During sound check he discovered that Ian, a co-worker from Metro from way back in the day, is Monitor Mixer for DMB. He's been exclusively doing their tours for years.

The interview went so long that the opening band "The Roots" began their set. It was a challenge to shoot under the stage and get usable audio with a band rocking out overhead.

August 16th and 17th, Dug drove to central Wisconsin for a Lion's Club shoot. They flew a little, blind girl in from Iraq for a cornea transplant. The film crew was at the airport and ready to film the arrival, with an entourage of about 20 Lions and a local host family.

Everyone disembarked, and...............................no little blind girl. It seems that the elderly, non English speaking Grandmother, who was the child's escort, and her granddaughter, missed the flight. Too bad the 20 Lions (who are actually based in Chicago) and the host family weren't at O'hare to welcome and assist, instead of in the smallish "Central Wisconsin Airport" with it's couple of terminals.

The film crew stayed at the airport till 11pm and were never told exactly what went wrong. We had these visions of the Grandma and blind child wandering around lost in mega behemoth O'hare, unable to negotiate the maze of terminals or read the signs. Or, even worse, we thought they might have been detained and searched so long that they missed the plane. So much for American hospitality and charity. Fortunately, they showed up on the first flight in the morning.

W.A.S.T.E.--September 2007 (CNBC & metal thiefs)

2007-09-14T10:35:00.001-05:00

September 7th, Dug worked for CNBC on "Power Lunch". Making Money Across America Road Show is airing live in different cities once a week. They had hopes of broadcasting from the scenic roof of the Navy Pier complex, but rain and 50 mile an hour winds, put a quick end to that plan. Instead they shot downstairs under an awning and out of the rain. Lovely unpredictable Chicago. At least they missed the 80 mile an hour mini-tornado. Maybe the Windy City monaker doesn't just apply to the politicians.

Multiple days throughout September, Dug shot segments on metal theft for the city. He recorded interviews at ComEd, People's Gas, AT & T and CTA. If it was a Monopoly game, he'd be golden. Basically, scrap metal guys are stealing cables, gas meters, ground straps from substations, and phone wire that usually amounts to under a hundred bucks payout, but costs thousands to replace. I guess, for the scrap collectors, it's more like the game of Life, but the car's a rusty truck, they missed the college degree space, and the twins need to be fed.

W.A.S.T.E.--September 2007 (Indy Car)

2007-09-14T10:01:00.000-05:00

September 9th, Dug came home from the Indy Car races at Chicago Motor Speedway, covered in rubber fragments. He was sitting on a golf cart, facing away from the track working. As the cars rounded turn 4, he heard a car hit the wall and the cameraman yell "Duck!" There's nothing like the sound of metal scraping concrete, down the length of the turn, through headphones, while debris rains down through a chain link fence.

The shoot was Sept 8th & 9th following driver, Scott Sharp, #8. Luckily he was NOT the one who hit the wall. He drives for Rahal Letterman Racing, sponsored by Patron spirits. Dug came home with a hat and a couple bright green hotwheels Indy Cars for the kids. I wanna know where my bottle of Patron Tequila is! Maybe next year. http://patronspirits.com/indy/indy.html

In past years, working the Indy Car Races, he's followed Danica Patrick, Dale Ernhart, Jr. and Ed Carpenter.

Home Made Simple--Allison Fishman

2007-09-14T09:40:00.001-05:00

50's housewife or fabulous cooking maven, Allison Fishman (who swears the glass is water, the cig's just a prop and she has naturally curly hair).

The latest season of Home Made Simple is now on the air--Saturdays at noon on TLC.

August 2007--The Swordsmen

2007-08-19T21:58:00.003-05:00

Dug spent his birthday weekend making a DVD with The Swordsmen, Dirk Perfect and Guido Crescendo (AKA: Douglas Mumaw and David Woolley) at The Bristol Renaissance Faire. http://www.theswordsmen.com/ .

The whole family tagged along and had a merry olde time. The fabulous swordsmen provided accommodations, libations and tickets for the wee uns. They even regaled Dug with a surprise happy birthday song and an ice cream crepe during a break between shows.

The kids both scaled a castle and conquered the pirate catapult. Mighty Sage, weighing in at 36lbs, flew about 3 stories in the air, belly laughing and shouting "HIGHER!". Dugan got a kick out of The Swordsmen calling him by name, during a big parade through the grounds, and he was thrilled with his wooden shield and play sword. He was the only dragon-wizard-knight in the village.

Worlds Collide

2007-06-11T11:29:00.001-05:00

When Dug showed up Sunday for the next episode of "Home Made Simple", the new homeowner's place was a 2 flat with 2 couples who all looked familiar. They played the "where do I know you from?" game, throwing out likely kids' haunts like Northpark Nature Center, Avondale Gymnastics, and the kids' current schools.

Finally, they figured out that our daughter Sage went to pre school last year with children from both families! What are the odds. The one daughter was especially memorable because she's Sadie and was part of the infamous S's--Sadie, Sagie & Saylor. I can't give away too much since the show won't air for a while, but the two families are major players in the Chicago theatre scene and include actors, writers and producers among their collective parental ranks.

40 day shoot

2007-06-05T11:36:00.001-05:00

Dug's on a 40 day shoot for "Home Made Simple" on The Learning Channel through mid July. http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/home.do . He's come home with some great tips for our endless rehab projects on our 1913 home. Our 17 year locust invasion made the last outdoor shoot a challenge. They added their own audio track buzz and dropped from the trees on Dug enmass. Two crawled inside his shirt and fell out later on the homeowner's rug, and Dug had to wrangle the insects back outside. Not the brightest bugs in the insect world.

Dug was impressed that the talent, known as the 3 mavens, do most of their own work. The trio includes a carpenter, an interior decorator and a cook. We're getting lots of useful info and can use all the carpentry and cooking advice we can get!

2007-06-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

Dug & Joey Lauren Adams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Lauren_Adams)

2007-05-01T22:34:00.000-05:00

Dave Attell & the whole family on an "Insomniac" shoot in Alaska, 2002 (http://daveattell.com/main.php)

2007-05-01T22:30:00.000-05:00

2007-05-01T12:24:00.000-05:00

happy holidays from dug production sound, inc.

2006-12-12T22:40:00.000-06:00

December 06

2006-12-12T22:17:00.000-06:00

The President and "a bag full of knives"

2006-11-17T13:37:00.000-06:00

Dug is always stressing to me that his travels are work, NOT vacation. Though I can't imagine traveling the world with Dave Attell and Insomniac for 4 seasons was all work and no play. I'm not a jealous person, which comes in handy when my husband's off on a tropical island covering super models, or hiding mics on major stars like Julia Roberts. But, I do feel a twinge of jealousy for the travel he gets to do, since I've been at home with preschoolers for five years. Kinda puts a damper on jetting off around the world! This week, for a change, he's actually in town.

Today he's working with the Chicago police. These contacts will be handy if our snarky 3 year old daughter ever steals a car in the future or comes down on the wrong side of that thin blue line. Back in the day, Dug did ride alongs for "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol". He wore a bullet proof vest and jumped from moving vehicles to run down suspects and mic the take down. I'm glad he's on tamer shoots at the moment.

Over the years, he's had some crazy opportunities on police investigations, like flying in a helicopter equiped with FLIR (forward looking infrared). He got to look down on the city and see every heat source from a lightbulb or body to a basement grow room. Once he was at an early morning event where approximately 30 large boxes of marijuana were scheduled to be burned. The palate burst into flames in the air enroute to the furnace, catching the crane on fire. All the cardboard and plastic evidence bags set off the EPA warning sirens. That embarrassing segment never aired. Dug has been behind the scenes at the FBI, a military communication hub and crime labs. He's also shot the President of the US twice (and yet the man lives).

At the last Bush shoot, all media people were asked to leave their gear for the bomb sniffing dogs and exit through a security check point. Dug and the cameraman came back several hours later to rumors that secret service was looking for someone with a "bag full of knives" and knew they were busted. They both had a couple of Bucktool, Leatherman, Swiss Army Knife type items in their gear as work tools. Fortunately, secret service decided Dug wasn't going to make an assasination attempt with a pocket scissor, nailfile or toothpick, so he wasn't arrested.

Recently, Dug's worked on episodes of "Cold Case Files". He used to shoot "FBI Files" and "New Detectives". Some year I'll write a mystery series and all his technical, in-the-field knowledge will be invaluable. That's about the time he'll retire and stay with the kids. Then I'll be the one on book tour, bitching about hotel rooms in endless strange cities, and wondering why I was so eager to travel back in 2006.