Cindy Romaine is the current SLA President and is focused on Future Ready 24/7 in 2011.

Have you ever watched the TV show “Man vs. Wild?” It follows a British Special Forces veteran who survives in all manner of extreme environments. For example, one scenario might feature the frozen Arctic tundra or a humid equatorial jungle.  Listening to the show’s star describe the challenges he faces, with no food, shelter, or fresh water, I had an epiphany. Everything he was saying about being in the jungle metaphorically applies to modern information professionals. We have to be alert, we need to know the terrain, and we have to know how to adapt our tools to the situations we face. The Future Ready Video is inspired by the “Man vs. Wild” TV show with a bit of “Indiana Jones” thrown in.

In talking to SLA members and visiting chapters, several members have shared stories about new roles for their MLIS—roles that our predecessors never would have imagined. Some information professionals are now working in data management jobs, and some librarians are pulled into archiving and curation.

We all know, it’s a jungle out there and this video, sponsored by Reprints Desk, is all about finding the information explorer each of us. Sit back and watch as Mia Finder, a fictional information professional, sleuths out high-value content for her clients—without going bananas. It really is a jungle out there, and librarians can help their clients survive it. As information professionals we know that if we use our wits and our high-tech analysis skills, we will find that we are indeed, Future Ready!

Behind the scenes of the Future Ready video, the director’s perspective

by Mike Greene

It’s 6 a.m. and like most directors, I’ve got a camera bag and sound setup layered on my back, a folder carrying the well thought out Future Ready script in my left hand, a hot cup of joe in my right, all while doing a balancing act with a cell phone against my ear. Meanwhile, my sound guy is going over the checklist so we don’t forget anything important… like a microphone to capture the sound. Trust me, things get a little crazy on the first day of a shoot.

Upon arriving we meet with our lead, Mia Finder, played by Catalina Lavalle, and the rest of the crew. Griffith Park is the picture perfect location, full of lush forests and vegetation to hide us from the real world. Filming was as smooth as butter: the actors and crew really brought their A-game. At one point, Catalina was climbing a jungle vine, our office workers were jumping out of trees, and Cindy Romaine,the President of SLA was imitating a chimpanzee. Talk about a fun set! Even after hearing me say, “That was great, back to one, let’s do it again,” everyone brought just as much energy as the first take. Working on this production was a treat, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Cast & Crew with Cindy Romaine

I joined SLA members at the first screening of the Future Ready video at the SLA Annual Conference in Philadelphia. There’s nothing more gratifying than sitting with a live audience for your video’s premiere. Future Ready is an adventurous piece that brings out the Mia Finder in all of us: someone who is determined, eager to use technology, ready to climb the fallen trees, push the brush aside and accomplish their goals.

Viewing the Video at SLA Annual Conference 2011

Mike Greene is the owner and director of GreeneCastle Entertainment; his vision to compel and inspire his audience is reflected in the projects he undertakes. After graduating from Texas A&M University, Mike ventured to Los Angeles to pursue directing. Mike’s training and creative eye integrates business and entertainment into projects that exceed the norm. Furthermore, his ten years of formal training in both the acting and modeling industry provides innovative avenues to his vision as a director. GreeneCastle Entertainment is a source through which he can illustrate his vision by capturing his audience and inspiring imagination.