Robin’s backstory
Photo of the Carson Valley, Nevada.
Everyone who works in film finds their own way in — sometimes by design, sometimes by pure luck. Some chase the dream of directing or writing, others can’t shake the pull of a story that needs to be told — a documentary, a sports saga, a slice of life that demands the screen. However it happens, every filmmaker starts somewhere.
Here’s where it started for me.
I grew up in the Carson Valley, just east of Lake Tahoe. After graduating from Douglas High School in 1977, I packed up and headed north to Arcata, California, where I enrolled at Humboldt State University.
Lumber Mill, Northern California
I needed to support myself, so I took a job — of all places — at a lumber mill. Before I knew it, I was wearing a yellow hard hat, heavy gloves, and steel-soled boots, standing on the dry sorter chain at Simpson Timber in the Arcata Bottoms, 1978. Timber was big business in the ’70s — loud, gritty, and dangerous. I was young, green, and had absolutely no clue what I was doing.
The swing shift “Crew”. My mentor, Richard on the left. Simpson Timber, Arcata Bottoms 1977
first mentor
Working the tedious hours on the chain, I found myself complaining about this lack of direction to my co-worker Richard Stull. Richard was working his way through school. Smart and determined, he appeared to have a clear path ahead of him. Meanwhile, I was lost.
Lunch time on the swing shift with co-worker. Dry sorter building in background, Simpson Timber, Arcata Bottoms, 1977
We had plenty of time to talk — and talk we did — in that mind-numbing job. A good conversation was gold, and looking back, I realize Richard became my first real mentor.
Even though I wasn’t in a classroom, that’s where my real education began. Richard went on to become a professor at Humboldt State, and today he’s a writer, performer, and coach who helps international clients master their intonation and accents — a true storyteller.
He inspired me to chase my own path and figure out what I really wanted to do. Never underestimate the power of a mentor. If you’re lucky, you’ll have more than one.
first step
One day, Richard and I decided to take our “meeting” to the beach. I packed lunch for two, and we sat in the sand for hours — just paper, pens, and the sound of the ocean (no cell phones back then). Together, we made three lists.
List #1: Who am I, really? Was I outgoing or shy? Did I crave structure or freedom? That one took the longest — a lot of digging and honesty.
List #2: What kinds of jobs fit me? It didn’t take long to see that media — print, radio, or television — caught my attention. Even in a small town like Eureka, those opportunities existed.
List #3: What can I do tomorrow? The action list. The next day off, I cleaned up my résumé and walked into every local radio and TV station I could find. Three days later, to my shock, I had my first job in media.
first job in tV
I quit the mill — with all my fingers still attached — took a pay cut, and showed up for my first day on the new job. I was buzzing with hope and had no clue this would be the doorway to a 30-year career.
The job was at the local ABC affiliate, KVIQ Television, right on Broadway in Eureka. My title: Traffic Coordinator. My mission: keep the commercials running — literally the station’s lifeblood. Orders came in from sales, and I’d hand-code them into a giant ledger, slotting commercials one by one, all by hand.
KVIQ Television Station off of Broadway in Eureka, California
Robin in her first job at KVIQ TV in Local Traffic.
That big book I kept updated went straight to Master Control — they were the ones who actually put the commercials on air. That job taught me something crucial: how a TV station really makes its money.
I was stuck behind a desk — not exactly my dream — but I knew I had to pay my dues. And pay I did. Two years of it, before my first real break.
I made that break happen. I went to my friend, the Master Control Supervisor, and told him straight up that I wanted off the desk. He nodded and said, “You should check out the local PBS station.” And that’s where everything changed.
Public Television Stations are a great way to break into the industry. Volunteer!
first tech job
My big break came when I landed a job as a Master Control Operator — or “Board Op” — at the local PBS station, KEET-TV. A Board Op runs the programming breaks from Master Control, and for someone with zero experience, PBS was the perfect training ground.
If you’re trying to get into the industry, start at your local PBS station — seriously. It’s one of the best places to learn. I was running 60-second breaks every half hour or so (Public Television doesn’t exactly have a ton of commercials). It wasn’t thrilling, but it was my technical preschool.
I learned how to read a scope, understand video signals, handle videotape formats, schedule pre-records, manage satellite windows — all the nuts and bolts. Around that time, I also started taking Television Production classes at College of the Redwoods. Those classes were a game-changer.
Don’t burn your bridges
In less than a year, I was back at KVIQ — no hard feelings — this time as a Board Operator. Same job title, different station, but the workload was a whole lot more technical. We had frequent commercial breaks and two live newscasts at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. (Back in the ’80s, news wasn’t rerun — it was live, and once it aired, that was it.)
Over time, I was promoted to Technical Director and later to Promotion Director. But the real turning point came after spending weekends volunteering and learning to operate the video camera. That hands-on persistence paid off when I landed a position as a News Videographer/Editor — one of the first women news photographers in the 1980s.
Back then, we shot on ¾-inch tape with separate record decks — heavy, clunky gear that taught you to be tough. I covered stories all over the county, getting to know the people and the issues that shaped the community. It was fascinating, challenging, unpredictable — and flat-out fun. One day I’d be at a crime scene, the next I’d be in a helicopter filming a timber harvest. That was local news — raw, real, and never boring.
Floor of 1984 Democratic Convention, San Francisco, California. Flags waving and people cheering.
One of the high points of my early career came in 1984, when we were assigned to cover the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco. Our local reporter, Mark Finnegan, was on site covering the campaigns of Gary Hart and Jesse Jackson. Somewhere in the chaos, we managed to snag an interview with Peter Jennings in the ABC booth overlooking the convention floor.
Five minutes before the interview, my audio feed went dead. Total panic moment. I tried to keep my cool and troubleshoot — heart pounding — and then, just like that, the gear came back to life. Crisis averted.
I was 24 years old, standing in the middle of one of the biggest political events in the country, running tech for an interview with Peter Jennings — and I remember thinking, this is it, I’ve made it to the big leagues.
Time for Change
K Street Mall Iconic Sculpture, Sacramento
In 1989, after 13 incredible years in Humboldt County, I decided it was time to move on. The North Coast was beautiful, but I had my sights set on San Francisco. Still, despite all my experience in Eureka, I didn’t feel ready to dive into the Bay Area market just yet. I needed an in-between — a place to sharpen my craft in a mid-sized market before making the big leap.
So, I moved to Sacramento. That’s where I started my own business and became a freelance Production Assistant. Breaking in as a PA turned out to be the perfect move.
For three years, I hustled — working every kind of gig you can imagine: sports, corporate shoots, government projects, production companies, TV stations, and more. There was plenty of work to stay busy, and every job taught me something new about how to be a solid, dependable crew member — the kind people actually want on their team.
the big break
Photo of the crew on an Amtrak Commercial, including the Director Randy Bond, Director of Photography, Landy Hardy and the rest of the members of the team. Spectrum Films 1995
One day, out of the blue, I got a call from Spectrum Films — they were looking for a new Location Scout. The job caught my attention immediately; I loved being out of the office, and the locations department sounded like a perfect fit.
I started working with their producer, Pam Hinojosa, who took me under her wing and showed me the ropes.
A great Producer, Pam from Spectrum Films and Robin on a job.
Final destination san francisco
My time at Spectrum was exactly the experience I needed to move into bigger markets. I loved working with that tight-knit, talented crew — every one of them pushed me to become a stronger producer.
After several great years with Spectrum, I finally made the move in 1996, relocating my business to San Francisco — and I’ve been here ever since. The city has more than delivered on every expectation. I’ve become an open water swimmer, found an incredible circle of friends, and get to collaborate with some of the best professionals in the industry — all right here in my own backyard.
Taken from Lone Mountain, the city of my dreams, San Francisco, CA
Direct your Destiny
Some people know from day one exactly what they want to do in this business. That wasn’t me. My path unfolded step by step — and honestly, I got lucky. Over the past 40 years, I’ve had the chance to wear just about every hat there is: Director, Assistant Director, Technical Director, Master Control Operator, Station Promotion Director, Audio Tech, Camera Operator, Teleprompter Operator, Writer, Producer, TV Line Producer, Field Producer, Production Manager, Location Scout, Fixer, Still Photographer, Live Tape Replay Operator, Sports Utility, On-Camera Talent, Voice Talent, Media Buyer — and of course, Production Assistant.
Some people go deep and become absolute masters of their craft. I respect that — I’ve worked with plenty of perfectionists. But for me, the more hands-on experience I gained early on, the better producer I became. Eventually, I narrowed my focus to three key roles: Location Professional, Producer, and Photographer — the areas I’ve specialized in for the past 20 years.
Climbing into larger markets wasn’t easy. It took hustle, persistence, and a lot of help. My mentors were instrumental — they not only helped me move up but kept me grounded through every challenge. Never underestimate the people who help you along the way. Gratitude really is the attitude.
And then there’s faith. I followed this road without knowing where it would lead — but I believed in myself and in fairness. If I worked hard and stayed true, good things would come. I also knew a life of adventure was waiting, but to find it, I had to be willing to change. So, change I did.
Over the moon!
Christmas at the South End Swimming & Rowing Club, 2015
