By Shawn Skager

The Courier-Herald

From the streets of Buckley to the halls of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, it's been quite a ride for White River High School graduate Scott Goegebuer.

Sunday night, Goegebuer, who graduated from White River in 1983, was the primary projectionist for the 78th Annual Academy Awards.

&#8220At the Oscars, I'm doing all the projection stuff,” he said during a Friday phone interview. &#8220I built the screens and I'm in charge of putting on the clips that you see.”

According to Goegebuer, the Oscar ceremony is the biggest event he has worked on yet, because it is &#8220worldwide.”

That's heady stuff for someone who has no formal education as a projectionist, cameraman or technical director.

Goegebuer's journey began in 1983, when he moved to Seattle after graduation.

&#8220I was working as a studio musician as a bass player,” he said.

In addition, Goegebuer was also playing in a band called Tinderbox, enjoying the heyday of the Seattle music scene that produced world renown acts as Soundgarden, Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam.

&#8220I got heavy into the Seattle scene,” he said. &#8220Nirvana was actually an opening band for us.”

Twelve years ago, Goegebuer pulled up his Northwest roots and headed south to Los Angeles, hoping to capitalize on a business opportunity selling artwork to offices.

&#8220It didn't pan out, and I fell into shooting training videos for the L.A.P.D,” he said.

According to Goegebuer, he was working at a Starbucks when he befriended someone producing the training videos.

&#8220He came in late to get coffee during an editing session,” he said. &#8220I asked what he was editing and he said training videos for the police.”

Goegebuer jumped at the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of filming and editing.

&#8220He taught me how to shoot and I worked for him for two years,” he said. &#8220So I learned how to do the camera. Then I started learning more about how to use projectors and worked my way through the system here.”

Soon Goegebuer was striking out on his own, freelancing his own shows.

&#8220It's a whole networking thing,” he said. &#8220You work for one guy, use him as a reference, then work for another guy.”

Along the way he said he has worked on high profile events like MTV Rock the Vote shows, corporate events for Microsoft, parties for Elton John and Vanity Fair, a presidential debate, a gig for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a stint as a tour projectionist for Carlos Santana.

&#8220I toured throughout South and Central America with him as his projectionist,” he said. &#8220He's a great guy.”

Goegebuer said his musical background is instrumental in his success as a projectionist.

&#8220Being a musician for many years, when I get the camera in my hands I look at as an artist,” he said. &#8220I think the music and filming translate.”

Goegebuer, who is married to his high school sweetheart Tracy and has three children (Jade, Ian and Bryn) admitted when he looks back at the path he has taken, he is sometimes amazed at the distance he has traveled, working at the entertainment industry's premier event.

&#8220I remember when just playing the Seattle scene was a big deal,” he said.

Shawn Skager can be reached at sskager@courierherald.com.