The one and only Gerald August Loessberg

If you have not had the pleasure of having Gerald Loessberg as a teacher, I suggest you enroll in one of his classes immediately. This interview will show you why.

Kevin Daugherty

Kevin Daugherty, an Oklahoma native, has a rather impressive resume and a lot of experience under his belt.

Director's Guild member and OU alumni Kevin Daugherty
Photo by: Sadie Short

During my conversation with him, Daugherty told story after story of his experiences as a director, including everything from his days as an associate director on the set of Dukes of Hazzard, to one of his fondest memories; meeting the women whom he called the ‘hardest working women in show business’, Lucille Ball.

Daugherty jumped head first into the business right after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1977. He was brave and did a cold call to republic pictures. Daugherty had heard that there was going to be a pilot for a news show being shot and he wanted a job. “I called the Republic Pictures and asked to talk to the executive producer of Venture Bay. I ended up on the phone with the president of the studio. He asked me what experience I had and I said ‘zippo’”

Only a couple of days later does Daugherty get a call back and they make him a deal. If he would be willing to pay for his flight to Miami (where the show was being filmed) then they would be willing give him a job on the set. This first job was basically a production assistant. “I did everything from coffee, dropping off raw footage for editing and picking up actors at the airport.” After proving himself the producers of the show wrote him recommendations for acceptance into the Directors Guild. Out of 18,000 applicants, and only five spots available, Daugherty was accepted.

DGA logo
Photo: DGA website

Daugherty has worked as an associate director on shows such as Dukes of Hazzard, Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty, Dallas, Fantasy Island, and many other pilots.

Today, Daugherty is retired yet he still has pertinent advice for students today. Daugherty’s advice for Gaylord student’s who are looking to get into the business; “Do not be afraid to take chances and do not become arrogant because you have made it.”

Here is a link to the Directors Guild site, and Daugherty's membership details.
http://www.dga.org/index2.php3?chg=

Ray B. is Camera Crazy

It’s so easy to watch an intriguing piece from the comfort of your living without taking a moment to think about who was there. What was that experience like for them? What did the adventure entail? What did they risk? Ray Bribiesca, aka Ray B, is know throughout the media community as an extraordinary cameraman who risks it all so his audience can connect with the story.

Photo: Ray Bribiesca of "60 Minutes" sharing
his experiences as a combat photojournalist
with Gaylord students.
Photo by: Sadie Short

            During his recent visit to the University of Oklahoma, Ray B, a renound photojournalist for 60 Minutes for over 3 decades, told of one of his latest adventure where he risked his most precious possession of all – his life. Ray told the story of his trip to document the war in Afghanistan, and spoke about him putting himself directly in the line of enemy fire to get the shot. "You don't think, you don't; you just react" said Ray. Those ‘reactions’ have resulted in many shots that he, himself, calls crazy. Ray B stated that if his friends and family would be shocked at what he captured, it was in fact, a ‘crazy shot’.

            Perhaps his experience during the Vietnam War or his time spent as a marine has assisted him in being so brave to tell a story. It is likely that at some point during his life, Ray B, has found himself in a similar situation to the one he is shooting at any given time. He has obviously applied his life skills and his dedication into his life’s work and it has proved to be successful.

            Ray B has proved to be very talented in his line of work because he is willing to go the distance other photojournalist are scared of. Not only is he an amazing cameraman, he is also incredibly dynamic. After Ray B showed several of the pieces that he has worked on over the years, it was easy to conclude that his talented is diverse. He is a rare photojournalist who can capture anything and his audience will feel apart of it. His work is memorable.

            His biggest passion? Ray enjoys shooting nature. He looks forward to a yearly trip to Alaska to capture the migration of caribou. Even his nature shots and documents are easy to feel connected to. His work has a quality. You can feel his devotion and his dedication. Whether his is being wounded, shot, taken hostage, or being nearly attacked by a bear, the work of Ray B is an expression of his love for his craft. 

Ray's next story will be his last for 60 Minutes, because he will be retiring. Ray and Lara Logan will be traveling to Yemen. Just like most stories, this will be one that is very dangerous and Ray is going all out, last story or not. "At 60 Minutes your next story has to be better than your last, and your next one has to be even better."