Q&A with People I Work With: Bill Poznanski

At the time of this writing, we are in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic and many people are out of work. I want to reflect on what work means to us in our community. I will feature people I’ve had the pleasure to worked with and hopefully continue to do so soon. Either, I’ve been able to bring them in on projects as additional support or visa versa they were able to return the favor.

I was introduced to Bill through another video producer as I needed a second shooter on some jobs. He’s always a pleasure to work with. He’s flexible and always has a great attitude. He’s a long-time New York City resident and knows and worked in many NYC venues. He does a wide variety of video work on-location with his clients.

Where are you from? What was it like growing up there?

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. It was a great place as a kid although there was quite an economic downturn here in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s when the whole steel industry collapsed.

How did you get started in the video production business?

I was invited to train with a family friend who had started videotaping weddings in the mid-1980’s when it was still quite a novelty to do so.

What type of video productions do you do? What kind of people have you worked with?

I shoot anything and everything. I’ve worked at almost every imaginable venue in the NYC area and shot footage or interviews of folks in numerous fields/occupations.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The freedom to come and go and constantly shooting at new locations

Describe a project you are proud of? What was fun or challenging about it? How long did it take?

There are two music videos that I’ve completed and a third that I’ve started and hope to complete in the next year. From pre-production writing and planning to release date the first video took several months, the second one took several years and the latest music video, “Big Fat Steve” features long time Pittsburgh performance artist Stephen Pellegrino. It is entirely being shot in Pittsburgh. An important scene was filmed in March 2019 before a live audience at the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance (KSWA). This one has so far clocked in at a year and a half. They have all been equally fun and challenging.

Morning 40 Federation “Intro” Music Video from copper&wOol on Vimeo.

Nola.com article on the passing of Mr. Okra

Do you have a career highlight? Do you have an interesting work story you like to share?

Winning two best music video awards for the second music video, “I Ain’t Lazy, I’m Just Dreamin'” (IALIJD).

What are you doing to stay productive during the pandemic? Do you have projects you are working on?

Rummaging through and trying to organize everything in my late parents’ house in Pittsburgh that I’m staying in during the pandemic.

Any final thoughts?

This pandemic is the test of our lives. With other catastrophic events (9/11, hurricanes, etc.) there at least was somewhat of an end date. With Covid-19 we don’t know for sure when or how it will end.