By John O’Brien

Redstone Review

LYONS – Lyons Economic Gardening Group, LEGG, has had the privilege of working with over 20 local businesses in the last two years. LEGG assistance is available on a no-charge basis (that’s free) to Lyons Chamber of Commerce members. One chamber member with whom LEGG recently met is Spike Productions, and its founder and president, Cat Russell.

In 2002 Cat Russell left a 16-year career in the atmospheric sciences at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, to start a home-based digital video company, Spike Productions, in Lyons. At NOAA, she discovered a passion for producing slide shows documenting the scientific projects she participated in all over the world. It was exciting then to creatively combine science and art, analysis and natural beauty into a format that communicated to diverse audiences her experiences in a captivating way. The digital medium soon came into play and the slide show format gave way to the exciting and technical world of digital multimedia and film production.

Spike Productions’ “unique selling proposition” or “the difference that makes a difference” is the ability to make the invisible visible. Russell has the uncanny ability to illustrate in digitalvideo the micro and nano levels of scientific investigation and make it not only visible but also understandable. It truly is a unique talent.

LEGG is working with Cat Russell to help her identify potential target markets for the capabilities of Spike Productions. Russell commented, “LEGG has been instrumental to me, not only in helping me find potential target markets but also in helping me identify my personal niche within the vast realm of digital video. The group has helped me focus, directed me in defining my business, has provided me with vital contact leads, is helping me develop successful marketing tools and skills and has been fun and encouraging throughout. LEGG is a vital resource to any local business and an asset to this community.”

Even before starting to work with LEGG, Russell was successful in producing the Spike Productions/Computer Terrain Mapping, Inc. documentary DVD, The Staunton State Park Puzzle It All Begins With A Plan (co-produced in 2009), that was instrumental in netting Staunton State Park a $5.5 million GOCO grant for funding phase one of the park’s development plan earlier this year. More info about this DVD can be found on her website at: www.spikeproductions.com/SPwebF/Feature.html.

Spike Productions was one of eight finalists in the 2009 Under Water Over Land International Feature Film Challenge with its submission, Rocky Mountain National Park: Psalms From On High. Russell is currently revamping this production for entry in the 2011 Estes Park Film Festival.  Some visuals from this film can be found at: www.spikeproductions.com/SPwebF/DigitalVideo.html.

For more information about LEGG or the Lyons Area Chamber of Commerce, please contact the Lyons Chamber of Commerce at 303-823-5215 or e-mail legg@lyons-colorado.com.

John O’Brien is the chairman of the Lyons Economic Gardening Group, LEGG and president of the Lyons Chamber of Commerce. He has worked in business and industry for many years and teaches classes at the University of Denver. He lives in Lyons. For more information on LEGG or the Chamber of Commerce please contact legg@lyons-colorado.com or call 303-823-5215.

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