Through thick and thin, film rolls

Fall 2011

Article written for Mass Media course

By Lauren Painter

After working an eight-hour day, Co-Owner and Executive Producer of Black Burst Entertainment Walter Lowe gives the ins-and-outs of film and television producing. His company creates television shows, commercials and infomercials, and it may be harder than it looks to many people.

Lowe’s day starts at 9 a.m. with a list of what he needs to get done that day.

“I manage products from the time that we get the job to the time they are complete,” he said. “I find money to do projects, and I am responsible for everything.”

It all started with some inspiration and a lot of hard work.

“I have always loved movies and television, plus I like the chance to be able to tell a story,” Lowe said. “I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Television Production from the University of Central Florida and worked a lot of internships. I have interned at Nickelodeon Studios and FOX News, and then got a job at WFTV News. From there, I created a company with my friend.”

Highlights to his position include hours, flexibility, exciting places and travel and the work he does in general. He dislikes customer’s indecisiveness and the competitions with other companies.

“I get access to events and places I would never get to go to otherwise: exclusive resorts, behind the scenes of sets, celebrity VIP parties, and grand openings,” he said. “But it can hurt when you spend days on a project only to have your client say they do not like it.”

Lowe always has internships in order to give experience to those who need it.

“[Internships are] the best things [someone] can do because you can make contacts for real jobs,” said Lowe. “Some are paid and some are not paid. So many people want to do what I do that they will do it next to nothing.”

Due to many people interested in his job profession, Lowe is required to be picky with his interns.

“They have to be on time and have taken basic classes. It helps if they know what part of the industry they want to focus on: editing, shooting, sound,” he said. “Successful interns have a very good chance of doing freelance work for us after the internship is over.”

Lowe is currently working on various projects, one of his most recent being Thornton Park, a reality pilot set in Orlando, which is being sent to Bravo in hopes of being aired.

“I am also producing webisodes on location in the Caribbean and Latin America for an international all-inclusive resort company, as well as commercials for The Nation Law Firm and Accident Attorneys of Atlanta,” he said. “Who knows what will happen next!”

To get your own perspective as an intern or to learn what it takes to be a part of his business, Lowe can be contacted at 321-439-2844 or wlowe@blackbustentertainment.com.