Lights … camera … Shamu!

In early June I spent close to eleven hours at Gate 1 and 2 working on the new TSA Security Tips Video for San Diego International Airport that was unveiled on this blog July 7. The experience was a total blast, and it was rewarding being involved with a project you know will have a lasting impression on our customers.

I wanted to step back and talk about the “behind the scenes” of the filming and give some more details.

1. The pioneer in “infotainment” TSA videos is Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, which has a video featuring “celebrity” travelers drawn from Las Vegas icons like the Blue Man Group, Carrot Top … and even “Elvis.” You can watch the video here (after linking, click on ‘Traveller T.I.P.S Videos’ to the left).

2. Our regional partners in this project were incredible. These agencies were a pleasure to work with:

• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• San Diego Padres (The Friar)
• San Diego Zoo (Bamboo Panda)
• Lego Land California (Johnny Thunder)
• Sea World (Shamu)

3. Filming takes a ling time. I have a new sense of patience. The scene where Johnny Thunder empties the coins from his pocket and takes his shoes off — we must have done those takes fifty times! The TSA agents featured in the video are real live people. Make sure and say “hi” if you see them around SDIA. Also, there are a number of Authority staff in the background — who can you spot?

4. The internal people who made this project possible need to be recognized: Landside Operations; Marketing; Public, Community & Customer Relations … plus the TSA and support from Southwest Airlines.

5. And finally: There are no small parts, only small actors (unless your name is Shamu).