Season 3 / Episode #22 : Howie Zales
The Story
Howie Zales is an Emmy Award winning Camera Operator who turned his passion for television broadcasting into several entrepreneurial endeavors.
Howie created HJZ Productions, Inc in 2000 to address the need for professional level sports crewing/staffing in the New York market. Under his leadership, HJZ Productions grew to a multi-million dollar nationwide provider of top talent in the broadcasting field. In 2019, Howie and his team founded Viridity Entertainment Services, Inc. (VES) which initially focused on staffing in non-union markets.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, they quickly pivoted to offering best in class, broadcast quality livestreams of professional sports shows and interviews, corporate interviews and meetings, and religious services. In addition, Howie took his love of the television production business and created The TV Sports Course, a hands-on training boot camp for the next generation of television crew professionals.
Howie is a graduate of the State University of New York at Plattsburgh’s Mass Communication program.
Show Notes
Good Note: Starting off as a camera operator for a local news station, Howies dream was to do sports TV. Calling ESPN with camera experience he was told that he didn’t have enough experience. 5 years later to the day, he called back for the job and got it.
Bad Note: There is no 1 path to take. Self funding and invest in the proper equipment needed.
Practice make Progress: Consistently reading and learning with intention of what other people are doing. There is always room for improvement and knowing you’ll will make the mistakes.
Bandmates: Picking people that are like minded and smart at their craft. Being on time is a must.
Learning from others: Having a mentor to show you the ropes. A Linkedin Coach that helped with getting leads and building a profile. Every time he has spent money on coaches they helped with guidance and getting questions answered to implement.
