Trentovation

Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 32

I’ve already written this, I’ll write it again now, and surely say it down the line. I hope my essays in this Response series don’t come across as if I’m making excuses for my own accepted flaws or wrong turns. Rather than seen as justifications, I’d be pleased if others were to read what I’m sharing and avoid potholes that could have been missed by me and may still be spotted beforehand by them. And also again, I don’t think I have the answers. I’m just telling what happened as fairly and accurately as I can while trying to be respectful along the way. I did my best and believe others did too.

In the background are my regrets and apologies, too numerous to identify completely.

After the HGTV/DIY programming director broke her news that we had been awarded a yet-to-be-named TV series, she explained how the producers out of Minneapolis would be coming down to spend a few days with me before Christmas so we could start first week of January. They’d walk the property, get a look at my redesign, and we’d start planning out how the project might be broken into four episodes.

Then she explained how she was handing me off to them. If I had an issue, me to the production company and then the network would be the chain of communication going forward.

 After we said goodbye, and she had a quick circle back with them, they called me to begin planning.

My memories and notes are not crystal clear. I’m basically certain that the Twin City producer began with congratulations yet was much milder than the network director. Small talk was minimal, answers to my questions were crisper and terser. Big things were happening on their end. The secret sauce was leading to a flood of work their way.

I needed to know dates they’d be coming as soon as possible. But my contact responded something amounting to them not knowing for sure. Although the network wanted them to visit in the next few weeks and then start in January, they’d likely be unable to visit until after New Years and then maybe start in February.

But the other big piece of information he shared, was regarding the schedule. Rather than nine months to a year for this project, it would have to be completed in a firm three months.

Then this guy, the one with monstrous confidence, explained how he’d check in one more time before heading overseas for the holidays, and as we ended the call, my mind shifted to my to-do list.