Ray Hays makes sure PRC Digital keeps the workspaces personal
by David Ball
Staff Writer
It didn’t take much coaxing for Ray Hays, president of PRC Digital Media, to pick up the replica light saber at his employee’s desk and begin wielding it like a true Jedi Master.
“I think it’s the exact specs as in the movie,” said Hays, pointing to the craftsmanship in the metal handle, then banging the sword against his hand. “It even makes the sound from the movie.”
The collectible is one of dozens of Star Wars and other sci-fi memorabilia crowding the work space of video editor Jay Pennington. Or as Hays noted, Suncoast Emmy-nominated editor Jay Pennington.
The Riverside offices of PRC Digital are filled with action figures, sci-fi toys and movie memorabilia, posters and an impressive collection of Howdy Doody figurines. They are also filled with award after award for PRC productions, such as the much-acclaimed documentaries “The Green Monster” and “Revenge of the River” about pollution and water supply issues surrounding the St. Johns River.
Hays said he gives employees free reign over their workspace, and it has resulted in a highly productive work environment that has garnered PRC industry acclaim as one of the more successful small, full-service production companies in Northeast Florida.
“I’m a big believer in letting people create their own work environment,” said Hays. “They tend to work much more happily and creatively.”
Hays had the added advantage of being able to customize his office layout when he moved into the space on Riverside Avenue nearly 10 years ago.
“Half of the second floor was just open space,” he said, “so I was able to design it the way I wanted it and make the spaces work with each other.”
In that space is a video production room, where Pennington’s editing work was lit by a lamp made to look like a dinosaur vertebrae, and hovering over him was an Imperial Walker model from the Star Wars trilogy.
In the next room, Chris Linke, known as the “pixel pusher,” creates graphics in almost complete darkness. Behind him is a row of seating and a boardroom table, where clients can observe the work progressing on Linke’s screen.
Down the hall is a DVD authoring room. Again, Star Wars action figures adorn the desk. Further down the hall stands a Three Stooges poster, and more Star Wars, Star Trek and...Howdy Doody?
“Bill Retherford is somewhat of a leading expert on the Howdy Doody Show,” said Hays. “He’s even working on a documentary about it. He’s got some great interviews of people who have long since passed.”
Hays’ own office, however, is a stark contrast. No action figures or cartoon characters, just stacks of papers, boxes of material (some for his other role as president of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Council) and a few Jaguars posters.
But in the lobby, next to plaques documenting various achievements, is a photo of his baby – a 1968 Mercedes 280 SL he rehabilitated for three years.
“My office is pretty bare, but you should see all the car parts at my house,” he said.
And just outside his office is another plaque Hays is fond of. Written on it is the inscription, “I’ve been trying to develop a lifestyle which doesn’t require my presence.” It’s a reminder of the lightness and sense of humor Hays has fostered since his beginning in television.
“In 1968 I went to Ch. 7 and applied for a part-time job. I was 15 years old,” he said. “I told [the manager] that, ‘I’ve seen TV, and I’m sure it could be done better.’ After he quit laughing, he gave me the job.”