We suggest planning on flying into Missoula the night before the interview. This will ensure that you are rested and alert for the days activities and reduces the chance that the production crew is standing idle if there are delays with your flight. This also gives us a chance to discuss the days activities with you over a nice leisurely dinner at one the the fine restaurants in Missoula. We can discuss the SpineUniversityTV "shows" you have decided to record and the personal materials that you would like to record while you are here.
The interview process is relaxed and informal. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where you can be at ease and do what you do day in and day out in with patients in your office – explain what you know. The conversational style makes it easy for you to be successful and present yourself in a professional manner without a great deal of preparation.
We use three cameras for each interview; one camera on the guest, one camera on the host and one camera set for a wide angle view that encompasses both the host and the guest. This setup provides maximum flexibility during post production. The three different views allows the editors to create a very warm conversational presentation where the viewer is drawn in to become part of the conversation. In addition, capturing dedicated video footage of the guest allows us to provide you with custom edited video of just your interview responses that can be used for specific uses without the SpineUniversityTV "news program" context.
During the 2 to 3 hour session, we will be taking multiple short breaks to regroup, clear our voices and discuss technique. The three camera technique allows for seamless editing so that the finished interview flows appropriately and does not appear contrived. Relax, take your time and if we make a mistake, just tell us to shoot that question and answer over again.
Missoula, Montana is an experience in and of itself. The town is the home of the University of Montana and has been called the "Paris of the West" due to the large population of writers who flock to the town to live and work. The University gives the town an eclectic appeal. The town is perhaps best known as the location for the Norman Maclean novel and Robert Redford movie "A River Runs Through It".
Our goal is to show you a slice of Missoula while you are here. If you are in and out quickly, that may be just sightseeing as you drive in from the airport, dinner at one of the fine restaurants and a stroll by the Clark Fork. If you want to extend your stay, we can provide you with some ideas about where to go and what to do. Here are our suggestions and some links to resources around Missoula.
Just hanging out in Missoula is considered by many to be enough.
But if you need a bit more stimulation there are all the amenities provided by an university town. There is a vibrant indie music scene that has created both local talent and graduates to the big time. There are art galleries sprouting up all over time and First Friday (the first Friday of each month is devoted to touring downtown to visit all the art galleries who are serving wine and cheese) is usually packed with locals out for a night on the town. The relatively new Missoula Art Museum is a popular stop both on First Fridays and througout the month. Something is always going on at the University, and that includes both high brow cultural and intellectual events to more lowbrow "just plain fun" fare.
Here are some ideas on where to find out what's going on in Missoula while you're here:
The TrailHead website may have all the information you need to plan your outdoor recreation while you are in Missoula. The TrailHead has been one of the main source of both gear and information for the outdoor crowd that inhabits Missoula. Take a look at this to find information about everything outdoor with links to the best information sources about outdoor activities available in the vicinity of Missoula.
OK, Missoula is not New Orleans or San Francisco, but we can probably rustle up a tough, overcooked Bison steak, some beans, luke warm beer and cowboy coffee for dinner. Meals are usually provided indoors these days rather than around the campfire.
Seriously, there are some pretty good restaurants in and around Missoula. If you are staying at one of the downtown hotels, you are within walking distance of several good restaurants. The DoubleTree Hotel has a wonderful restaurant and bar, the Finn and Porter. There is a deck that hangs over the river that is open if the weather permits. Just north of the downtown hotels is the Pearl Cafe, where the dining is excellent and includes such regional treats as Bison and Elk.
Walk west less than a mile on the River Trail and you will find an area known as the Hip Strip on Higgins Avenue just south of the Clark Fork River. The restaurants and bistros in this area include some local favorites including: 515 (eclectic dinner menu), Scotty's Table (bistro lunch and dinner), Tipu's Tiger (Indian cuisine lunch and dinner), Bernice's Bakery (coffee, breakfast and lunch), The Hob Nob (coffee, breakfast and lunch), The Bridge Pizza (pizza by the slice), Kettle House Brewery (local microbrew beer) and the Big Dipper (homemade ice cream).
North of the river, but within 5 or 6 blocks are more favorites including: El Cazador (Mexican cuisine lunch and dinner), Biga Pizza (calzones, pizza and home of the best salad ever - the Panzenella), The Shack (breakfast, lunch and dinner), Higgins Alley (Italian), The Break (coffee and pastries) and Worden's Deli (lunch).
Finally, no visit would be complete to Missoula without having lunch at the Good Food Store. Missoula has a reputation for being the "Granola Capital of Montana", and the local organic food store and deli is where the Granola Crowd hangs out. Great organic salad bar, smoothies and sandwiches.