Within a few weeks of management’s (wise) decision to entrust the marketing fate of one of the most anticipated product launches in company history to their versatile web developer, I was on a plane to Los Angeles. First steps were to help my colleague polish his storyboard and wrestle Valley traffic procuring all the gear we needed for the shoot—a one-day affair at a stunning Malibu canal house.

Our budget was as tight as the meticulously staggered call times for our talent, making ruthless efficiency not just a goal, but a near necessity. In the end however, I managed to navigate near-calamitous natural lighting conditions to get the shots we needed and I was quickly back on a plane with most of the edit wrapped before wheels touched in Hong Kong.

My promise was a professional-quality video that showcased the pen’s accessibility and versatility, and I confidently delivered. All stakeholders agreed.