Updated September 4th, 2001 Page Two  |  bottom of page

DV Info Net's Page Two: All That Editorial Stuff

Non-technical stuff; but in my opinion pertinent nonetheless. Hey, that's what I'll call it: the Op-Ed page, for opinions and editorials. Proceed at your own risk!

There is No "We" -- it's Just "Us"

Everybody has pet peeves, and one of mine is the "Royal We." You've all seen this, I'm sure... it's when an individual refers to himself or herself in the plural form, such as "we believe this or that" or "we continue to serve you." And you know, the whole time, it's just one person saying that; it's not like there's a whole staff that sat through some board meeting, choosing the correct delivery of words to hand down to you, the lowly reader, some high-altitude mandate of corporate policy. At least, that's how the "Royal We" sounds to me.

Well, there's no staff here, either. It's just me. Maybe I talk too much, maybe I'm full of a lot of hot air, but I'll never refer to myself as "we." Now, there are a lot of contributors helping me out, and I want to make sure you know that. For instance, most of the XL1 Watchdog's contents come from many different people (sometimes I think visitors forget that or maybe they just don't realize it to begin with). Here on DVInfo.Net you'll see a lot of material submitted by many different people... it is a network, after all. You can be a part of it -- if you want -- and therefore, I'll usually refer to us, as in, you and me and everybody else who's involved. But one thing you won't find is the Royal We. That guy has been abdicated.

In Memory of Leslie Drever

It is with deep regret that my tribute to Leslie Drever is a posthumous one. Leslie passed away on October 5th, 2000, in Chatsworth, California. He was known to many, many people in the video industry not only for his superb product line which composed his business, LightWave Systems; but also for his unique wit and unforgettable personality.

Among the many audio accessories Leslie developed for LightWave Systems, he may be best known among Watchdog readers for his System Isolator, Mini-Mount and Equalizer products for the Canon XL1. Leslie's primary business catered to the professional broadcast audio and video market, but he recognized the significance of the XL1 and other DV camcorders and wisely expanded his product line to serve prosumer-level videographers.

The three accessories he invented for the XL1 addressed several issues with that camera. The System Isolator moves the viewfinder assembly forward, improving camera balance on the shoulder. The Mini-Mount insulates the XL1 microphone from camera motor noise and allows different types of microphones to be used on the camera. Finally, the Equalizer is a superior microphone wind screen, of the same design and manufacture as LightWave's extensive line of Equalizer wind screens for professional microphones. Canon USA was so impressed with Leslie's products that they're now listed as authorized Canon accessories available through most Canon XL1 and GL1 dealers.

I'll never forget meeting Les for the first time at NAB '99 at the Canon booth. We forged a friendship there in the first few minutes of talking to each other, and corresponded regularly by phone and e-mail. Les was at all the tradeshows and knew all the major players. He was the kind of guy who knew where all the best parties were. He really liked to have a good time at the end of the business day, but while he was working, he was the consummate professional. He always wore a sharp-looking suit and tie and just generally looked good all the time. Leslie never tolerated profanity or vulgarity... around the clock, he was a real class act.

I'm going to miss Les Drever; I'll miss watching him flirt with cocktail waitresses at The Pepper Mill in Las Vegas, I'll miss his continuous preaching about the power of audio wavelengths and their relationship with the human soul, I'll miss his peculiar Kiwi accent. I'll miss Leslie, but I sure won't forget him.

LightWave Systems, Inc. and its excellent product line lives on in its original form under the guidance of General Manager Thomas Dyer. Les Drever is survived by his parents in Auckland, New Zealand. Occasional toasts to this terrific person continue as opportunities merit.