Business Spotlight: Repeat Performance

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Rick Gilmore was working as a loan officer when Repeat Performance was founded in 1981. At the time, he never thought that one day he would leave the banking industry and go to work for a video production company, but that's exactly what happened in 1988.|ret||ret||tab|

"I can count on two hands the number of times I've worn a suit and tie since I left banking," Gilmore said with a smile.|ret||ret||tab|

After leaving the banking industry, Gilmore went to work for his brother Jeff, who managed Repeat Performance. Rick Gilmore hadn't stepped behind the camera since he was a student at Southwest Missouri State University and worked at KOZK. However, he quickly rediscovered his love for videography. |ret||ret||tab|

In 1991, the Gilmores bought Repeat Performance and moved the company into an office suite at 3534 E. Sunshine St., which provided them with more than 1,700 square feet of studio space. Rick Gilmore managed the company's finances and videotaped legal depositions, while his brother Jeff handled most of the company's commercial work. |ret||ret||tab|

At the time, approximately 10 video production companies were doing business in Springfield, Rick Gilmore estimated. That number soon increased, however.|ret||ret||tab|

"Right now, I'd say there's about 30 other video production companies that do business here in Springfield," said Gilmore. "That's not even counting City Utilities, the hospitals and the universities here in town, which have their own video production people."|ret||ret||tab|

When Gilmore got into the video production industry, the cameras he used relied on tube technology. Once the taping was complete, an engineer edited the tape.|ret||ret||tab|

"Basically, you had a camera on your shoulder that was connected to a cassette deck," he said. "What you had was a mobile VCR."|ret||ret||tab|

These days, Gilmore uses a digital video camera to shoot and edits the material on a computer. Digital video cameras are much easier to operate and maintain, said Steve Attebery, senior video editor at Repeat Performance.|ret||ret||tab|

"One of the nicest things about digital units is they're easy to maintain," Attebery said. "In the old days, you had to spend hours fiddling with your equipment just to get the camera ready and in focus. Things were always breaking, and a lot of your time was spent just fixing equipment."|ret||ret||tab|

According to Attebery, most of today's cameras have point-and-shoot capabilities. Because these cameras use a digital format, mistakes often can be cleaned up by computer during the editing process. |ret||ret||tab|

"Anyone can say they're a video producer now," said Attebery. "All you have to do is go out and buy a camera, get some computer software to edit your work, and you're in business."|ret||ret||tab|

However, Attebery and Gilmore are quick to point out that it takes more than equipment to produce a quality video. |ret||ret||tab|

"We do more than just operate a camera," said Gilmore. "It takes talent to conceptualize a project, work within a client's budget and provide them with an on-time, professionally produced video."|ret||ret||tab|

Gilmore said 50 percent of Repeat Performance's business comes from producing television commercials and training videos. The remainder of the company's business comes from staging trade shows and conventions, and videotaping legal depositions. |ret||ret||tab|

Over the years, the Gilmores have established relationships with many lawyers who work throughout the region. The Gilmores also have worked with numerous attorneys nationwide. |ret||ret||tab|

Videotaping depositions has become much more common in recent years. During the taping, those involved will conduct themselves as if they were in an actual courtroom.|ret||ret||tab|

"A lot of lawyers prefer videotape depositions because they hold the jury's attention better," said Gilmore. "Unlike some of our work, we don't produce a videotape deposition. We're simply there to record the event."|ret||ret||tab|

Although videotaping legal depositions isn't glamorous, it has helped Repeat Performance establish a niche for itself in Springfield's highly competitive market. Videotaping legal depositions also has helped the company even out seasonal fluctuations in business. Having a steady source of income is especially important because overhead is high in the video production industry. |ret||ret||tab|

Gilmore estimated that Repeat Performance uses more than $350,000 worth of video cameras, computers and other production equipment. Unfortunately, rapid advancements in technology can make much of that equipment out-of-date within six months.|ret||ret||tab|

"Most of the equipment we use is extremely versatile," he said. "We may not have the newest, latest and greatest equipment that's on the market, but it doesn't really matter. It's the way we use our equipment that makes the difference."|ret||ret||tab|

Gilmore said he's currently trying to gauge where the market is headed and anticipate the next batch of technology trends that will affect the video production industry. |ret||ret||tab|

"Choosing the right equipment is important," he said. "You want to make sure whatever you buy won't be obsolete in a few years."|ret||ret||tab|

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