Erik Westby

My film school consisted of me hustling to get any job available ... or to create a job when there wasn't one.  For the first 4 years I got out of bed at 4:00am to direct a live morning news show on an NBC affiliate in a small market.  But between shows I learned how to make commercials ... slowing building my knowledge of cameras, lighting, sound and scriptwriting.  I learned to work with actors and car dealers, as well as major celebrities who would stop by to shoot a promo for the network.  

Weekends and days off I would get myself hired onto major movies or commercials being shot in the area.  I did set dressing, office PA, set PA, craft service, or even on-camera work as an extra, or sometimes a small speaking part on a Hollywood film.  Anything to get on a real set.  I simultaneously honed my camera work by shooting documentaries, as well as network sports such as boxing, bowling, downhill skiing, tennis, golf and football.  I've shot fighter jets from the back of an Air Force refueling plane.  I did sound for Roseanne Barr's wedding video.  I may have saved Celine Dion's life backstage after her concert where I was on the lighting crew.  I've been around.  

I wrote and produced broadcast documentaries, then a weekly live TV show in San Francisco, and eventually landed in corporate making marketing videos.  So now I think I can safely say I've done it all.  If you want to tell a story, I'm your guy.  We can make it funny, or heartwarming, or just ... different.  If we can dream it, we can make it.