:10 Seconds to Air (A Life in the Director’s Chair) is a captivating look behind the curtain at the creation of some of television’s most celebrated live events. Don Mischer’s personal story is an unlikely journey, but a very American one. From a modest South Texas upbring to directing Super Bowl halftime shows and Olympics opening ceremonies, :10 Seconds to Air is an homage to America’s vibrant, richly diverse culture, as reflected through television. 

Equal parts anecdotal memoir and history-in-the-making, :10 Seconds to Air anchors itself to Mischer’s formative experience as a college student in Austin, learning of JFK’s assassination as he awaits the arrival of the President from Dallas. Watching the diligence of the reporters who worked on that developing story convinced him to change course and pursue a career in television. This would lead Mischer to New York City, and involvement in many historic moments, from joining Barbara Walter for her interview in Tehran with the Shah, to Prince’s epic, rain-soaked Super Bowl halftime performance. 

In the book, we come alongside Mischer to witness first-hand what it is like to collaborate with iconic talents like Mohammad Ali, Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, among many others. The job? Navigating countless unknowns and logistical challenges in real time to orchestrate hundreds of people before the eyes of millions of viewers. The result is a fascinating portrait of an individual behind many, many cameras, striving to capture history.