It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s finally here. The premiere episode of the first online reality TV show for and about professional photographers, “The Longest Day,” this year’s buzz-building videos series for WPPI 2009, brought to you by the one and only Ron Dawson.

The premise is simple: get 24 of the hottest professional photographers in the country (and Canada), bring them all to southern California armed only with the knowledge that they would be split into two teams and given an assignment to complete in just 24 hours. Once they arrive, they find out their assignment is to write, shoot, and edit an original short film about photography, AND an original PSA about the respective charity for which they are playing: ThirstRelief and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Along with Loyd Calomay, I was brought in as Creative Consultant, because let’s be realistic, what do photographers know about writing, shooting, and editing an original short film? (hehe).

Over a series of ten episodes, you’ll see the drama; the comedy; and the battle for the best video and PSA as voted on by viewers. That’s right, as we lead up to WPPI (February 14-19) Ron will air the episodes (I will post them on this blog too). Then, about a week before, we’ll show the final short films and PSAs by both teams. Viewers will then have an opportunity to vote for the videos they like the best. Thanks to the sponsors, the winning team will win $3,000 for their charity. The other charity will earn $2,000. (In this episode you’ll hear me mention $1,000 and $500 as the respective prizes. The ante got upped since the taping of this show). ENJOY!!!

Had a lovely holiday at home with family. Here are a few images i took with my new Canon 5D Mk II.

It’s a bird…It’s a plane…No it’s my new pro Canon still camera, that shoots magnificent HD video!

Why, you ask?

Finally a tapeless video camera that shoots full frame HD, with the advantage of 35mm lenses, and shallow depth of field.

The creativity is endless…

At work with the 5D MkII (w/15mm fisheye lens) on a Steadicam.

Here was a gorgeous wedding and an equally gorgeous bride and groom. Held at the famous Mission Inn in Riverside. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with the incredibly talented Cean from Cean One Photography. This sneak peek was edited by our new intern David Medill (okay i helped him a little bit). However, he did a great job.

iKaren is a singer/performer who needed from us a cool intro for her brand new website. This is what we came up with. Luis, our AE Artist, did a phenomenal job with the graphics!

iKaren from David Robin on Vimeo.

Emily’s Bat Mitzvah from David Robin on Vimeo.

This was a truly fabulous event. Kehillat Israel in the Palisades, and the exquisite Beverly Hills Hotel were the locations for this Simcha. My long time friend and associate Brian Hodes, was the photographer, and Along Came Mary’s Mary Micucci was the Event Planner. Jim Eppolito, from West Coast Music, out did himself with the entertaiment. Not being able to be there myself, i entrusted the filming to none other than internationally renowned, multi-award winning David Hohenthaner, from VHVideo in Tampa, Florida. I flew him in especially to shoot this. As Emily’s Dad is the President of Paramount Pictures, you don’t want to mess around. My other favorite cameraman, the ever fantastic Ari Perilstein, shot 2nd Unit.

Twenty-four of the hottest photograhers in North America converge on Universal City for a “secret mission.” All they know is that it will be a project that will last 24 hours. They’ve come as far as Vancouver and Chattanooga, without a clue as to why. When they arrive, they find out that they’re being split into two teams. Each team is given 24 hours to write, shoot, and edit an original short film. Each team is also playing for one of two charities: Thirst Relief and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

I was brought in as creative consultant for Team B, and my responsibilities included brainstorming ideas, as well as, shooting and editing the original short film. Ultimately, the viewing audience will determine the winner, which will be announced at WPPI 2009.

TEAM B (My Team)

TEAM A

Is it me, or is Team B having SO MUCH MORE FUN!!!!!!