Ozam focuses on audio, video, multimedia productions

Dale DeToni is busy editing some film footage. A few years ago, he would have spent hours splicing together the section of film he's working on, but now, thanks to a state-of-the-art computer software program, he can edit it with a few clicks of the computer mouse.

DeToni has kept pace with a vast number of changes in technology since he founded Ozam Productions in 1978, one of the oldest audio, video and multimedia companies in Spring-field.

Before founding Ozam Pro-ductions, DeToni received a bachelor's degree in radio and television from Southern Illi-nois University in Carbondale. He later went on to work at several large recording studios in Chicago.

There, he studied under some well-known recording engineers including Bruce Swedien, a Grammy-Award-winning en-gineer who recorded Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), and Dangerous (1991) albums as well as Quincy Jones's Back on the Block (1990) and Q's Jook Joint (1996) albums.

Given his background, it's not surprising that most people known DeToni for his audio and video work.

DeToni, however, is quick to point out that Ozam Produc-tions offers a wide variety of services including creating computer animations, shooting and digitizing photos and developing Web sites.

The company's core business comes from staging and shooting major meetings and events, scripting and filming documentaries and shooting commercials and training videos.

Offering a diverse array of services has helped DeToni expand Ozam Productions, and over the years, he's relocated the business twice.

Today, Ozam Productions oc-cupies 3,600 square feet in a two-story building located at 318 W. Walnut St. Editing, recording and digital graphic work-stations occupy the first floor while a shooting stage oc-cupies the second floor.

Almost all of the equipment at Ozam Productions is state-of-the-art, according to DeToni. In fact, keeping up with the latest advancements in computer technology and equipment oc-cupies a great deal of his time.

"If you want to stay competitive, you have to use up-to-date equipment," said DeToni. "Ev-ery other year, I go to the National Association of Broad-casters convention in Las Vegas so I can try out the latest equipment."

DeToni's commitment to us-ing the most up-to-date technology available has helped him attract an impressive list of clients, including National Geo-graphic, Kraft Foods, IMAX Films, The Learning Channel, NHK Japan and the British Broadcasting Co. According to DeToni, Ozam Productions also is well-regarded by many local businesses, and he's worked with area clients such as O'Reilly Automotive in Spring-field and Shoji Entertainment in Branson.

"Being a sole proprietor has its advantages," said DeToni. "I can get the newest equipment fast because I don't have to wait for someone to approve the purchase. If I see something I need, I buy it."

Although being a small business owner has it's advantages, DeToni doesn't think small when it comes to surrounding himself with talent, and over the years he's worked hard to build up a network of professional subcontractors who possess diverse talents. Some of these subcontractors live in the area, while others are located around the country.

"I really strive for quality more than quantity," said DeToni. "I hold myself and the people who work for me to the highest standards. I don't just churn things out. There's a real artistry to what I do."

Currently, DeToni is working to showcase some of his more artistic work by setting up an online photo and video library on his company's Web site www.ozam.com.

The online library will contain images from "the Amazon to the Ozarks."

In addition, DeToni is including images from his "Branson, Missouri, Lights Camera Action Collection." These images will be available in Betacam, DVCAM and 35mm slide formats.