Media Offline is a podcast about the people who make the media all around us. On each episode, media professionals at all stages of their career will join us to talk about their work and lives.

Welcome to the debut of The Production Geeks. In this inaugural episode, Mike Sorrentino and Dave Shaw (VP, Content and Creative Engineering) pull back the curtain on the technical evolution of Sorrentino Media. Transitioning from their long-running Media Offline series, Mike and Dave pivot toward the "work that goes into the work," focusing on high-level engineering and the "raw" reality of complex production. Inside this episode, Mike and Dave dive deep into:The Philosophy of Certainty: Why their core product isn't live streaming, but the guaranteed reliability of a broadcast signal—from midtown studios to electric airplanes. Studio 6: The Madison Ave Build: A technical post-mortem of their 37th & Madison facility, moving from a "gut reno" to a fully remote-controlled, versatile studio 2.0. The "Nerd" Stack: An on-the-spot technical tour showcasing LiveU cellular bonding, Blackmagic Design routing, and the integration of vMix and Hollyland comms. Engineering the Board: A breakdown of their Behringer X32 audio workflow and why specialized engineering beats "cookie-cutter" setups every time. Whether you're a CTO looking for mission-critical reliability or a fellow production nerd obsessed with signal flow, Mike and Dave share the "10% of ideas" that actually make it to the air. Recorded Live at Madison Ave Live Studios, NYC.CHAPTERS0:00 Intro – “It's Production Geeks time” & show concept0:08 What is Production Geeks? – Nerds vs. geeks, solving technical problems for clients3:25 Keeping It Raw – Embracing mistakes, “we don't sell video, we sell certainty,” Goose Island IPA segment6:08 Studio Origin Story – Moving to Studio Six, “bomb went off” space, rebuilding the room9:59 Live Studio Tour – LU-Smart / LiveU bonding, cameras, acoustics, control room & vMix14:54 Routing & Infrastructure – Blackmagic VideoHub 40x40, “anything to anywhere,” Apple TV/Oscars example19:49 Audio Deep Dive – Behringer X32 Compact, Midas preamps, buses, IFB, and why audio is always overlooked25:45 Cameras & Comms – Blackmagic studio cams, Video Assist, SDI vs HDMI, Hollyland comms, SpaceComms cloud IFB36:15 Building the Right Toolset – From Discord hacks to a versatile, client-ready backbone in Studio 2.037:30 Wrap-Up & Call to Action – Topics/guest invites, relationships with vendors, where to watch/listenBRAND STORYTELLING | FULL SERVICE VIDEO PRODUCTIONProfessional Branded Video Production Storytelling Experts#SorrentinoMedia | Full-Service Video Production Company including LiveStreaming services232 Madison AvenueSuite 1002New York, NY 10016mike@sorrentinomedia.com (212) 203-8419www.SorrentinoMedia.com https://www.sorrentinomedia.com/contact-sorrentino-media

This week, we're joined by Jesse VandenBergh, Story Producer at Sorrentino Media to talk about how a video goes from an idea to a finished product. Jesse discusses the valuable lessons he learned from working in comedy and news and how he implements them into telling compelling client stories.

This week, two Sorrentino Media employees take over the microphone – Ashley Vernola (Senior Video Editor and Post-Production Coordinator) talks with Wade Shields (Creative Director) to discuss their working relationship, the history of the company, and what makes them great collaborators and friends. You don't want to miss this deep dive into the creative process!

This week, we're joined by Donna Loughlin, founder of LMG PR, a public relations agency that, since its founding in 2002, has helped launch over 500 innovative companies. Donna is also the host of Before It Happened, a podcast about the experiences that inspired innovators in different industries.

This week, we pull back the curtain and get metatextual, in this podcast about podcasting! Natalie Layne, Director of Audio Production at Sorrentino Media, joins us to discuss what goes into making a podcast, from conception to publication. Interested in learning more about Sorrentino Media's podcast services? Visit sorrentinomedia.com/podcast-production.

This week, guest host Liz Weaver O'Keefe speaks with Kathleen Foster about her myriad experiences within media. Following her career as a broadcast journalist corresponding from conflict zones, Kathleen works with Sorrentino Media as a producer and media trainer–all while publishing a novel based on a fascinating ancestor–and provides great insight into forging your own path in your career.

This week, we're joined by Wade Shields, Creative Director at Sorrentino Media, to discuss the art and practice of creative direction, hearing some of Wade's stories of working with clients, as well as his own creative projects.

Join us this week as we speak with Trent Campbell and Omar Lopez, two Directors of Photography, about their creative and technical approaches to their work.

This week on Media Offline, we speak Ashley Vernola, the Senior Editor & Post-Production Coordinator at Sorrentino Media, and one of our earliest employees! Ashley joins Mike to share her insights about the art of editing, working with clients, and what excites her about the future of our industry.

Joining us this week is Annie Scranton, Founder and CEO of Pace Public Relations, a full-service media relations and communications agency. Having started her career as a TV news booker, Annie's wealth of diverse experiences informs her approach to helping her clients build their brands. This episode also features a very special appearance from Rose, Annie and Mike's daughter.

In this episode, Gemma Toner joins us to discuss her life, career, and passion for purpose-driven work. Gemma is the founder and CEO of TONE Networks, which strives to empower working women to be their best personal and professional selves.

This week, we're joined by a dynamic trio: Hilijos Exume, Chase Johnson, and Sam Zaintz – Sorrentino Media's summer 2022 interns! They share their experiences both at our company and elsewhere, offering insights about getting an internship and their aspirations for the future.

This week, we're joined by Ashesh Satvedi, the Director of Video Marketing & Virtual Experiences at Box, to discuss the necessary innovations of remote video production during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week on Media Offline, we're joined by Jeff Miner, Global Business Lead at Google Creative Works, about his career and the work his talented team produces. Check out Google Creative Works at youtube.com/c/GoogleCreativeWorks

In this episode, Mike is joined by media scholar (and co-author of their forthcoming book) to discuss new media, using technology for good, and memes.

In this episode, actors and voiceover artists Kirsten Scoles and Steve LaChioma discuss their careers, including how their experience as actors influence their approach to voiceover, and the importance of bringing enthusiasm and passion to your work.

For this episode, we're joined by Dave Shaw, Senior Producer of Digital Assets & Video at New York Institute of Technology. Dave shares insights about technology, its impact on the industry, and how fundamental storytelling skills remain at the center of creating media projects, regardless of how technology evolves.

In our inaugural episode of Media Offline, Mike Sorrentino sits down with long time colleague and friend, Liz Weaver O'Keefe, who shares her journey from submitting reels to local news stations to land her first job, all the way to her present work as an executive producer for Sorrentino Media. With the insight of a seasoned professional, Liz shares her approach to balancing her work and family life, revelations she had in the wake of a health scare, and the value of making and keeping connections in the industry.