I had a very busy and creative year, but painting for Belen De Leon from 9news was an unexpected treat this year! Getting a call the night before, she told me she was interested in me painting during their shoot for the Rockies home opener. Wow!! Sure I'll do it, what time? I would have to be downtown at Coors Field at 5am in the morning. She would get back to me that night. She was putting together the production and would give it to her editor for approval (wow... a reporter's job evidently has long hours!).
After the initial shock wore off, I realized I forgot my grandson was going to spend the night that night and we would go skiing the next day. I'll just take him with and we will ski after. Belen called later that night with her editor's approval and the details. Once I get at the entrance of Coors Field at 5am I would have to call and they would meet me. Great! Wait!! What do I wear? I don't have any Rockies gear (I'm a Broncos fanatic). It was about 10pm so the stores were closed. Purple, I must have purple somewhere in my closet! Yes, I found one lone shirt that was purple (whew!).
Ethan was super excited at the idea of seeing TV in action and didn't mind getting up before the crack of dawn. We left early, but I got a little lost in the one-way streets (I hate driving downtown) and finally made it to a parking lot ($50 for parking!!!!!! Aaaaaghhh!! They really hike up the rates for a home opener!). We get the gear out and call Belen. Change of plans she said, we have to meet her at a restaurant a couple blocks away. They will be broadcasting from the roof top there. At first they had a different restaurant to broadcast from the rooftop patio in case they weren't able to broadcast in front of Coors Field. But the manager at that restaurant didn't show up to open early for them (what a lost opportunity for television exposure). Instead they came across another restaurant with a roof top bar who was opening for different broadcasting crew. That manager was gracious and allowed Belen and her crew to film there. Wow, what luck! Definitely have to go with the changes if you work on a news crew.
Belen was super sweet and explained that she would like to get painted for the shoot. So I painted a baseball with flowers (in the Rockies purple color). Ethan had a great time and was able to see 2 different news crews and how they put together a shoot for the morning news. What a great opportunity for him and me to see it in action! Thank you Belen and 9news for a wonderful experience!