Connie Romero

“In this day and age, you truly must embrace what makes you happy, and I think that physical activity is so underrated. It always was, but right now, physical activity doesn’t mean you have to lift weights and sweat until you pass out. I’m talking about cycling or walking around your block coupled with doing what you truly love is going to get us through this time. Socialize with those that you love either by phone or meeting up outside, just anything that keeps you happy. My favorite quote from the iconic Beatles is ‘Life is very short and there was no time for fussing and fighting.’”

mbi’ance Uncut stopped by to see how their longtime friend, Connie Romero was doing these days. Connie, who several years ago started a variety show in Philadelphia called, Connie’s Catch which was featured on a Philadelphia access station, showcased ordinary 54 but interesting people in Philadelphia. “I started this show in Philadelphia because I had done a little acting about twelve or thirteen years ago and a lot of my independent films were in and around Philadelphia, PA. So, it became clear to me that there are a lot of interesting people in Philly. I then figured since I was being taken there quite a bit on the weekends, I would find people, places and things to interview/showcase. At that time,

Philadelphia had a channel called ‘Philly Cam’ which was a community media center that brought the people of Philadelphia together to make and share media that promote creative expression, so I started doing a show. I interviewed and spotlighted everything from a renowned candy maker to a health and wellness event, and once, to try and spur viewership, I walked the streets in an Uncle Sam costume asking people, “What does the 4th of July mean to you” as well as, what they would want to see on my show. So, I did that for probably about four years.”

Being a creator and producer, Connie had to rely on camera people and the people behind the scenes. The problem with dealing with any radio station or public access is if you come on board and they give you a time slot, you have to commit to at least a show a month. So, it became very difficult to turn around the shows in less than two and a half weeks. Eventually, Connie disbanded that and regrouped in Delaware where she attended a fashion show conducting impromptu interviews with models and, etc. It would be there that she met our CEO/Founder, Jonathan Fields who admired her style of interviewing enough to invite her to join him at events on both the east and west coasts. Soon afterwards, Connie did Connie’s Catch several times on the west coast as well assisted Jonathan emcee a couple of events and charities. After doing this for a few years, Connie decided to reinvent herself. She asked herself what people would want in her services. What assistance could she be to businesses and events keeping under the Connie’s Catch umbrella. “I became a certified COVID Compliance Officer where I would go over the new normal of a particular business. I am able to provide them with a video to present to their potential clients letting them know what to expect when they walk into their establishments. I recently was on a commercial set in NYC for Hobby Lobby, showing them some of the safety procedures under my COVID compliance certification.” While doing this, Connie was approached by several people observing her gift of showing interest when speaking to others. So much so, that she decided to re-start Connie’s Catch. This time with a new approach. With the “new normal” way of living in the pandemic, people were experiencing new things like illnesses, and fear while trying to figure out how to go about their dayto-day business and with her COVID compliance certification she could present her company and do her show in a way that can help other companies display their new normal.

A woman of her craft, Connie makes it all sound so easy! She has been able to walk away from a job and not only reinvent herself and build a brand, but she believed in herself and in her natural ability to connect with people. So, how did she do it? “….when I first started out, I was truly at the mercy of the directors. I was always a producer, so I didn’t need one. I’m the person getting everything together, making sure that everyone showed up, knew what they had to do and bring. So, that’s the hat I wore. But, in the beginning I had a director and I had camera people and I basically left the camera up to them. After the first couple of episodes I began to realize the I could direct, then, I realized that I could film as well! I started to develop, in layman’s terms, a two camera shot vs a one camera shot and it became clear to me that I had a little knack of knowing what shots looked better and when close ups should be done. Not that I can film, but now I can tell the camera person what I’m looking for and how I think he/she can achieve it. It took a couple of shows, but now you can start listening and 55

56 understand where they are coming from. Once the final results are achieved, you realize the do’s and the don’ts. So, you are definitely learning something new every time and it’s the continual learning that makes it the project exciting!” As a COVID Compliance Officer and a host, Connie is now required to make sure that anyone on the set has their temperature checked, small questionnaires answered, and everyone has their masks on. Throughout the time that they are there, she is constantly combing the premises to make sure that everyone is in compliance. If anyone leaves the premises and returns, the process is repeated. “It’s the credibility to me because even if I’m hosting something, I know through my certification what I have to do and place someone in charge to keep my set or wherever I go, safe.”

We asked Connie if she thought she’d like to return to personal interviews, and we found that she would. “I would love to return to personal interviews, but you would not believe the fear in people. It’s not the fear of just me, it’s the fear of sitting somewhere and in a location that people are uncertain of the camera people, even if they are masked. You know, like just to come to the table and say, “Hey, can I interview you?” I’ve tried, but it’s difficult to do interviews right now. I thought that since I am in a community with several theaters, it would be a great place to start, but the theatres are also closed. So, I’m presenting what I want to do within the new normal. Yes, you have to reinvent yourself and have something to offer in the time that it’s not here. That way, when it does come, it sounds impressive that you know how to do it. This is something that I don’t regret doing and am glad that I have it under my belt.”

It’s always a pleasure “catching” up and if you happen to be on the street, don’t be surprised if you’re approached by a friendly stranger with a camera person in tow, asking you “the question of the day”! Check Connie out on Instagram @conniescatch, cgromano15@gmail.com , or www.youtube.com/conniescatch where you can enjoy, subscribe and follow! As we wish her continued love and success, make sure you tell her that you saw her here first, at Ambi’ance Uncut!