"Wild World of pro-ams caught in videos of execs"
By Richard Alm - Sports Business Writer of The Dallas Morning News
What Andy Warhol theorized, about, "Howdy" Letzring puts into practice.
A former tennis pro, Howard Letzring gives boardroom duffers their 15 minutes of fame by producing a quickie video high-lighting the feats and foibles of the corporate types who play in pro-am golf events. he brought his cameras and editing equipment to the Dallas area Wednesday and Thursday, filming at the GTE Byron Nelson Classic in Las Colinas.
Mr. Letzring, who founded Wild World Of Sports with an investment of $1,500 in video equipment 17 years ago, contends a few seconds of executives and customers sinking a putt or hobnobbing with touring pros makes a more memorable souvenir than the traditional golf shirt.
"Everyone aspires to be a sports star, Mr. Letzring said. "Most of these guys are wealthy. They've got all the Gucci golf bags they can use. A Shot of them golfing with Fuzzy Zoeller or Bill Murray is something special."
The video airs during the awards banquet - in most cases, on the same day film was shot. Mr. Letzring charges the sponsor as much as $30,000. In March, Mr. Letzring shot the GTE Suncoast Classic in Tampa, Fla.
A group of business executives on a golf outing doesn't have the dramatic appeal of Gone With The Wind, so Mr. Letzring values, spontaneity. He'll spice up the production with shots of workaholics who can't put down the cellular phones or touring pros' jibes about the amateurs' swings. Once, he even got a good natured participant to drive a golf cart into a water hazard.
"We are very careful to be fun and not silly." Mr. Letzring said. "Not everyone wants to be a part of it. I have to know when to approach these guys and when to back off. You've got to be able to look at a guy and see if he's of the personality or the mind-set to do what I have in mind."
Mr. Letzring is a self-taught video producer, but he strives to give the finished product, a 15-minute video, all the glitz associated with network television. The finished product blends color commentary, slow-motion shots, aerial pans, rapid-fire cuts, music and sound effects.
"If everything isn't perfect, people will notice," Mr. Letzring said. "Everybody today has a Ph.D. in watching television."
The production often has to be finished in a one day, so Mr. Letzring works under a constant time crunch. He and his cameramen begin filming early in the day. At various intervals, a courier takes fill and notes back to the editor, who makes preliminary splices and begins blending canned footage and music. Mr Letzring does the final edit.
"We've got it down to a science," Mr. Letzring said. "We've never missed a curtain call."
By Richard Alm - Sports Business Writer of The Dallas Morning News
What Andy Warhol theorized, about, "Howdy" Letzring puts into practice.A former tennis pro, Howard Letzring gives boardroom duffers their 15 minutes of fame by producing a quickie video high-lighting the feats and foibles of the corporate types who play in pro-am golf events. he brought his cameras and editing equipment to the Dallas area Wednesday and Thursday, filming at the GTE Byron Nelson Classic in Las Colinas.
Mr. Letzring, who founded Wild World Of Sports with an investment of $1,500 in video equipment 17 years ago, contends a few seconds of executives and customers sinking a putt or hobnobbing with touring pros makes a more memorable souvenir than the traditional golf shirt.
"Everyone aspires to be a sports star, Mr. Letzring said. "Most of these guys are wealthy. They've got all the Gucci golf bags they can use. A Shot of them golfing with Fuzzy Zoeller or Bill Murray is something special."
The video airs during the awards banquet - in most cases, on the same day film was shot. Mr. Letzring charges the sponsor as much as $30,000. In March, Mr. Letzring shot the GTE Suncoast Classic in Tampa, Fla.
A group of business executives on a golf outing doesn't have the dramatic appeal of Gone With The Wind, so Mr. Letzring values, spontaneity. He'll spice up the production with shots of workaholics who can't put down the cellular phones or touring pros' jibes about the amateurs' swings. Once, he even got a good natured participant to drive a golf cart into a water hazard.
"We are very careful to be fun and not silly." Mr. Letzring said. "Not everyone wants to be a part of it. I have to know when to approach these guys and when to back off. You've got to be able to look at a guy and see if he's of the personality or the mind-set to do what I have in mind."
Mr. Letzring is a self-taught video producer, but he strives to give the finished product, a 15-minute video, all the glitz associated with network television. The finished product blends color commentary, slow-motion shots, aerial pans, rapid-fire cuts, music and sound effects.
"If everything isn't perfect, people will notice," Mr. Letzring said. "Everybody today has a Ph.D. in watching television."
The production often has to be finished in a one day, so Mr. Letzring works under a constant time crunch. He and his cameramen begin filming early in the day. At various intervals, a courier takes fill and notes back to the editor, who makes preliminary splices and begins blending canned footage and music. Mr Letzring does the final edit.
"We've got it down to a science," Mr. Letzring said. "We've never missed a curtain call."
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