Behind the Scenes of the 2022 Special Operations Experience: A Tribute to Dedication
Welcome back to 2022!
Taylor and I poured our hearts and souls into crafting the 2022 Special Operations Experience, a remarkable program/event for the Donovan & Bank Foundation—a charity devoted to special operators. Their mission is profound: to guide these warriors toward a life of peace, contentment, and balance by bringing closure to their extraordinary stories.
At Poor Bear Stories, partnering with the D&B Foundation is a privilege deeply ingrained in our roots. Our legacy within the Special Operations community fuels our commitment to not only serve these operators but to become an integral part of their ongoing legacy.
While the videos and behind-the-scenes footage may exude energy and pace, rest assured that safety remained our top priority throughout. I extend heartfelt gratitude to my mentors, whose tireless dedication to firearm and range safety has not only benefited my team and me but has empowered us to share our knowledge wherever possible.
I must also credit our Director of Photography and editor, Taylor Rahn. Taylor’s invaluable experiences and perspectives have enriched Poor Bear Stories and our clients over the past four years. His dedication to all clients, especially the D&B Foundation, has been unwavering, and without him, our product would not have reached its pinnacle.
Reflecting on the editing process, Taylor reminisces, “Editing this video was nostalgic for me. It marked a time when Jacob and I, as a two-man crew, were hitting our stride as a team. It was our second Special Operations Experience together, and we could see the growth in our craft from the previous year.”
I vividly recall Josh Forman, a D&B advocate, acknowledging the marked improvement in our videos—an acknowledgment that meant the world to Taylor.
As with every project, Taylor and I gave it our all. Despite returning to Orlando utterly exhausted, our spirits remained high.
Why did it take two years? We offer no excuse. Strangely, we’re grateful for the delay because we believe the video wouldn’t have been the same otherwise.
Taylor echoes this sentiment: “Even after two years of sitting on this footage, I can see the growth in my editing skills. The video wouldn’t have turned out as well if I had edited it immediately after shooting.”
Why release it now? Firstly, to showcase the talents of our team, even if the footage is two years old. Secondly, because I personally believe in this story—the camaraderie, the organization, and our team’s capability to deliver exceptional work. Lastly, to make a positive impact; if this story leads even one person to visit the Donovan and Bank Foundation website, it’s all been worthwhile.
In conclusion, Taylor and I have cherished every moment working on the Special Operations Experience with the Donovan & Bank Foundation.
“I’m immensely proud of the work I contributed to this project because it supports an organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of those they serve,” Taylor emphasizes. “I’ve forged incredible friendships and memories through this job, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Here’s to the future adventures with Jacob and his company.”
Learn more about the Donovan and Bank Foundation here: https://www.donovanbank.org/
Stay tuned for the BTS video that we will share tomorrow on all our channels!
