(Moorpark, CA) Robert Hanley, Founder and CEO of Home Video Studios proudly announces that from his National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana that Home Video Studio - Moorpark owners, Kim and Jeff Johnson, are Studio Owners of the Month! "Kim and Jeff demonstrate," Hanley says, "that even with only a short time in the business, you can succeed by following your passion and sticking to the Home Video Studio system."
The Johnsons have been "California Dreamin'" for many years. After graduating from Biola University (La Mirada, CA) in 1999 with a degree in radio/TV/film, Jeff headed off into the world of freelance TV production while Kim followed her professional career path in Speech Therapy. For the past ten years Jeff has worked as a camera operator, starting with FOX Sports, and working on "all kinds of game and talk shows, including, Deal or No Deal, The Tyra Banks Show, and others. But as they began another production - three children (boys 4 and 2 and new daughter 6 months) - Kim left her career and Jeff began to tire from the "roller coaster ride that is freelance television work."
In April 2008, the Johnsons opened Home Video Studio - Moorpark and quickly won six (6) prestigious Hanley Awards. Jeff won four of the Hanleys for a Photo Video Keepsake of his two sons - Best Overall (President's Award), Best Editing, Best Photo Keepsake, and Best Rookie video. He also won the Best Use of Humor award for his parody of the TV show COPS that he titled, CROPS - based on "criminals stealing crops" shot using the same reality-style format. Finally, Jeff won the Dr. Strangelove Hanley for the most unique video of the year.
Coming from the TV production world, Jeff admits that his favorite activity in his new studio is shooting and editing from scratch. Nonetheless, he says that film and video transfer projects are among the most consistent assignments coming in - "my bread and butter" - while other projects, such as foreign conversions and transferring old Beta-Max videos "come in waves." Among the most enjoyable, however, are the Photo Video Keepsakes.
Looking to the future, Jeff and Kim hope to improve on their networking skills to increase their corporate accounts. Learning how to balance Jeff's "day gig" and their growing family responsibilities makes this goal a challenge but one they know they can reach as their studio business grows. "We've used the two-business card system and e-blasts," Jeff says, "as we continue to build our database of contacts." They create a regular newsletter and rely on the Internet for about 90% of their business.
Jeff hopes to be totally immersed in Home Video Studio - Moorpark "five days a week as soon as possible. I won't miss the 90-mile drive to and from Hollywood every day! Right now, it's just a dream but one that I'm sure we will realize in the near future!" With the success they've already achieved, we know that Jeff and Kim will reach their goal sooner than later and they won't just be "Dreamin' in California" for long!
