#slellc

Here we go into a new year in a world full of challenges. The Media industry has changed so much, and our major Networks and Cable channels are struggling to stay on top. News coverage of the War(s), humanitarian crises with civilians affected by the war, Migrants who are fleeing their countries for a better life and the constant warnings of Global Warming and daily weather alerts has consumed our lives. Living at the beach I have watched the affects real time. Sometimes I just feel helpless.

But I have hope for the future as I watch the next generation breaking through with new leadership, education, advocacy, and determination. Its my job as the Principal at SLE to pay it forward and create content and events to build awareness, entertainment & education and help others wherever we can.

We are learning how to present music, entertainment, and messaging in a new way. Taking an example from the recent U2 concert I attended @The Sphere in Las Vegas. Bono & The Edge, the team at MSG and Sphere Entertainment, you nailed it. "It’s a beautiful day..." let’s all make the best of it. Create, Explore, Travel, Kindness and Gratitude. 2024 here we come!

U2 @TheSphereofVegas

Production life if all consuming, full time 24-7 thoughts run through your brain, body and attitude. As a professional woman, wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend - its a lot to juggle and one needs to be a master in multi-tasking to get it all done. The stress can be overwhelming, but as an Executive Producer and Production Executive we need to be calm and maintain quality leadership for the team.

For the past 40 years between raising a family and having a full time job, there is has been little time for my personal "bucket list". Now is the time, life in my 60's with so many successful shows, events, first time moments in broadcast under my belt - I chose to travel and thats what new in 2023. Skiing out west in Colorado and Utah, learning to Golf, but more recently my Trek on the Inca Trails to Machu Picchu with my daughter, Annabel. It was everything I had hoped for and more.

After 4 long days and 3 nights camping and trekking, 29 miles, 4 peaks, and summiting at almost 14,000' we made it. I trained for this, but Annabel and our team @TreXperience kept me going. No stress, no internet, no conference calls - just nature, learning the history of the Inca people, beautiful mountains & pure satisfaction of one of my best "firsts" ever.

To my fellow production piers & friends, just do it! Don't wait, proudly conquer the bucket list.

And now, back to work....

November, 2021: Production life is moving again for so many.  We applaud ESPN & the espnW Summit for announcing Fifty/50: Title IX Programming for the 50th Anniversary in June 2022. 

For years the development team at SLE and my fellow Producers have pitched Women in Sports Programming to various Networks and Streaming Platforms. It has been a tough journey as the development doors open and we begin to have interest and hope and then the door closes :( due to lack of funding.   I have asked the question time and time again - “How will we increase the visibility and profiles of professional female Athletes if we don’t create more original content about them ?” So what ESPN & espnW are is doing is a great start. 

We hope to be able to announce something soon to add to this important milestone of Title IX coming in 2022.  Keeping the faith & always an open door. 

The fast few months at SLE have been busy with attending some cool events, developing new projects and doing some personal travel to spend time with family and friends.    During a consulting job with The Drone Racing League, we traveled to Minneapolis and Phoenix, AZ to bring Drone Racing to a live audience for the first time in the US!  DRL will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network this month & it's a dynamic new sport to watch!

I had the honor of seeing Michelle Obama speak @The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ while on her ‘Becoming’ Book Tour. She is my inspiration and just as impressive in person, it was an amazing night spent with my daughter Annabel.  Speaking of amazing, Women do Rock the World of Sports at the 40th Annual Women’s Sports Foundation Gala. I witnessed a rare moment with  Billie Jean King and Megan Rapinoe on the red carpet. 

OnlyGood TV - Congrats to my husband Rob Hess and the team from https://www.onlygood.tv/  who produced this beautiful music video with original lyrics sang by country singer Kris Jones.  

10 years strong! Sunset Lane Entertainment was born in 2008 producing the first LIVE Entertainment Stream on YouTube, YouTube Live from San Francisco. It seems like forever ago and of course, YouTube 10 years later has evolved to a whole new platform and I am forever a loyal fan. 

The Media Industry continues to change and we change with it.  Do more for less, be creative, work with the rising leaders in the industry to bring seasoned broadcast skills to each project, be good to your talent (always), respect each other and continue to find new & diverse opportunities to stay relevant. This past year, I was happy to work with some new Networks like Discovery and BritBox & Lifetime.

On a personal note and the highlights of the year was a trip to Scotland with my daughter and husband, watching my youngest child grow as he goes off to College and my oldest son’s Wedding which was a beautiful and loving production. One of a kind! Having ‘time’ to focus on personal events in your life is so important. 

Happy New Year everyone! May 2019 bring more adventures, new opportunities, continued friendships, and business alliances. Cheers! 

#WomenHelpingWomen  When I first met Marysol I was impressed by her intelligence, style, and warmth in front of a camera. We shot a pilot for Only Good.TV where she worked with my husband.