How to Get Started with Arduino and Beyond
How I became a VideotronicMaker
About VideotronicMaker:
At VideotronicMaker.com, I believe that mastering technology and unleashing creative potential should be an accessible and engaging journey for everyone.
Learning, Creating, Inspiring
This platform is guided by a simple yet profound philosophy: "Learn with me as I learn." It's a commitment to explore, discover, and grow alongside you, sharing insights and demystifying complex concepts through hands-on experience.
From Broadcast Television to the Maker Movement
With over 30 years as an Emmy-nominated, multi-award-winning broadcast television producer, VideotronicMaker brings a wealth of experience in video production and web design.
I’ve always been driven by a desire to continually learn and evolve, mastering everything from camera operation and editing to graphic design, After Effects, web design, and 3D modeling. This constant pursuit of new skills kept me engaged throughout a long career.
However, like many long-term professionals, I eventually reached a point where I sought new challenges to reignite my passion. I was looking for something that could merge with my existing skills and inspire a fresh perspective.
The Spark of Ingenuity: How it Began
The pivot to physical computing began unexpectedly. A broken pair of headphones, where the audio jack snapped, presented a simple problem: I didn't know how to solder. Despite years working with engineers who routinely fixed equipment, I had always avoided that hands-on technical side.
This small problem sparked a significant journey. I immersed myself in YouTube videos, learned the basics of soldering (and even ruined a couple of irons in the process!), and successfully repaired those headphones. This initial success opened a door to a fascinating new world. A coworker, an an engineer and designer, then introduced me to Arduino and Raspberry Pi. This was entirely new territory, but it was captivating.
I dove into researching single-board computers like the Asus Tinker Board S, fascinated by their power and versatility. My exploration quickly led to Arduino starter kits, breadboards, sensors, and various shields. What began as a curiosity, like assembling an ATX power supply into a workbench power supply following other makers' instructions, transformed into a genuine passion for electronics and electricity.
The Evolution of VideotronicMaker
Every journey is built on pivotal moments, discoveries, and the courage to try new things. Below is a timeline highlighting the key events that have shaped my path and continue to drive the mission of accessible tech education:
1991First Paid Media Job & Career Start:
My professional journey in media officially began with my first paid job: a photo shoot for "Hype Hair" magazine, where, as a high school senior and barber, I provided a haircut for Romani Malco of the rap group "The College Boyz."1991 - Early 2019Decades of Media Mastery:
Over these decades, I gained extensive experience in video production, web design, graphic design (including Grass Valleys VPE 200, Adobe Illustrator, Scala, Brilliance and After Effects), and 3D modeling, earning recognition as an Emmy-nominated, multi-award-winning producer and post-production manager. This period culminated in a desire for new challenges and reinvention.2018:The Headphone Accident:
A broken audio jack on my Sony MDR-M1 Headphones highlighted a missing practical electronics skill (soldering), leading to the headphones sitting unused for about a year.Early 2019Experience of Career Burnout:
Felt a strong desire for career reinvention and fresh inspiration.July 14, 2019Significant Personal Development:
An unexpected shift in personal circumstances led to increased spare time.Late July 2019:Initiation into Soldering & Electronics:
Focused this new time on self-teaching soldering (starting with headphone repair) and purchasing initial tools and accessories (Amphenol connector, ETEPON tools). A coworker also introduced Arduino & Raspberry Pi.August 2019:First SBC & Arduino Kit Purchases:
Quickly acquired key hardware, including an ASUS Tinker Board S (after watching Explaining Computers) and an ELEGOO UNO Project Super Starter Kit, leading to extensive exploration of Arduino & Maker Kits.September 30, 2019:Pivotal Career Shift:
I lost my job as Video Production Manager, marking a decisive shift in my career and accelerating my path toward reinvention.Late 2019:Formulating the VideotronicMaker Philosophy:
Realized the authentic position of being a learner, leading to the core "Learn With Me As I Learn" philosophy. Successfully completed a first major hands-on project (ATX power supply conversion).October 2019:Initial Content Creation:
Began publishing a series of initial videos and Arduino Project Hub articles on topics like proto shield soldering, headphone repair, and the "Lego Clock" project.Late 2019 - Present:Founding & Ongoing Growth of VideotronicMaker:
Continuously established the website and expanded the YouTube channel, steadily increasing its subscriber base.November 2021:Introduction of AI & Accelerated Growth:
The public release of ChatGPT marked a pivotal moment, significantly accelerating the physical computing arena. This led to a focused shift on, and addition of, AI-related projects and tutorials, profoundly impacting the channel's content direction.January 20, 2024:Published first AI video:
"How an LLM Generates a Response - Stable LM 3B on LM Studio" on YouTube. This pivotal moment marked my conscious decision to deeply incorporate AI into the channel's content.2024:VideotronicMaker Rebranding:
The VideotronicMaker brand and logo were refreshed. The new logo design subtly incorporates elements of a video editing timeline set against a background of code and Arduino boards, reflecting the brand's multifaceted expertise.March 2024:LMS Platform Development Initiated:
Began planning and creating the learning management system (LMS) at course.videotronicmaker.com for public expansion.June 27, 2025:VideotronicMaker Labs Creation:
This marks the public launch of VideotronicMaker Labs, a curated collection of inspiring stories from individuals engaged in self-education and hands-on experience, particularly focusing on high school and college AI and Arduino memory projects. These narratives are testaments to the joy of making and learning on one's own terms, echoing the 'Learn with me, as I learn' spirit of Videotronic Maker.
The Lab Notebook.
Real Projects,
Documented Discoveries.
VideotronicMaker is a comprehensive resource hub designed to empower individuals at entry to mid-level. Through accessible education and hands-on learning experiences, I cover:
Video Production
Web Design
Arduino & Physical Computing
AI Tutorials
The VideotronicMaker YouTube channel is growing slowly but steadily, especially with content demystifying AI.
Furthermore, the journey includes building a comprehensive LMS at course.videotronicmaker.com, beginning with a course for my daughter's college applications and evolving into a public learning platform.
Join me on this exciting path of continuous learning and creative exploration.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe to the YouTube channel for more creative technology insights and projects.
