EXPERIENCE
Earth Science Video Producer
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD
July 2022 - PRESENT
As an Earth Science Video Producer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, I’m required to don many hats to help promote the agency’s Earth Science Division. The videos I produce for NASA often require me to take projects from script-to-screen, researching, writing, shooting, animating, editing, narrating and even composing the music - whatever is required to promote the science the agency is doing day in, day out.
A large portion of my job is supporting the Landsat program, the longest continuous record of the Earth’s surface from space in existence. Working closely with their project scientists and outreach team, I craft stories that help to communicate the remarkable legacy of the over 50-year program. The essence of my role is to take complex scientific concepts and distill them down into simple, engaging videos that inform the general public, like exploring how researchers use Landsat data along with artificial intelligence tools to better understand our planet. Additionally, I work closely with NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio to produce visualizations, meeting with the SVS’ technical experts to relay the Landsat program’s needs and provide feedback.
I also support other NASA Earth Science missions such as PACE and JPSS-2, producing stories about forecasting the weather for rocket launches or what would a NASA engineer build when given 10-minutes with a set of children’s magnetic tiles. My other producers and I are also often on-location to lend technical assistance in live broadcasts for rocket launches and sample returns.
Senior Multimedia Producer & Lead Animator
Center for Strategic & International Studies, iDeas Lab - Washington, DC
May 2019 - June 2022
As a senior multimedia producer for CSIS’ iDeas Lab, it’s my job to lead, produce, and develop video projects from start to finish, including scripting, filming, editing, compiling, developing visual assets, animations and all other aspects of production for motion design and narrative storytelling videos; the position is responsible for advanced-level projects in particular.
Among the many projects I lead, I produce a regular series, Data Unpacked, a collaboration between the iLab and our center’s experts that uses data to dive into a variety of issues. Each episode of Data Unpacked is shot, edited, and animated by me. The ability to work effectively with experts from each program, from our very first production meeting to delivery of the final video, is essential.
My role as lead animator means I work on projects that require advanced animation, both 2D and 3D, and also serve as a mentor to lower level producers, helping them develop technical animation skills and, in turn, raising the overall production level of the iDeas Lab.
CSIS is home to over 30 different programs, with each one focusing on different aspects of international studies. The ability to be nimble with each project, rapidly switching from nuclear security to international trade to missile defense, is absolutely critical in working with the various programs to regularly create compelling, dynamic content that communicates CSIS’ mission to the world.
Video Producer
Science Magazine, Washington, DC
April 2016 - May 2019
As a video producer for Science Magazine, I am responsible for distilling complicated scientific concepts and principles down into an easy to understand, yet visually compelling format. Since Science Magazine is a weekly publication, the ability to work under tight deadlines is essential. I’ve produced nearly a hundred videos on a wide variety of scientific subjects, from microbial weapons to wildebeest migrations to molecular knots.
My role as a video producer requires me to take projects from script to screen. A typical project starts with an article or research paper that is slated to be published in Science Magazine. After I’ve read the paper, I’ll start gathering assets for the project, set up a call with the researchers, and write a script. Once the script has been approved, I edit, animate, score, and narrate the entire video in time to be published along with the paper or article. These videos can receive hundreds of thousands of views on Youtube and have been featured in Popular Mechanics, Forbes Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post.
Director of Video
MOKO Social Media, Alexandria, VA
March 2015 - April 2016
As Director of Video at MOKO Social Media I was responsible for the daily production and post production of videos catering to the variety of MOKO brands, including BlueNationReview and RunHaven.com, as well as their college intramural sports app Rec*It. During my time there I produced videos for client pitches, short form documentaries VIP interviews, political conventions, roundtables, 5Ks and marathons, daily news shows, exercise videos, and more, all requiring a keen eye for design and a rapid turnaround time.
Being comfortable working within the Adobe Creative Suite was a must, as well as shooting on green screen and location. Since I was producer for almost everything that was shot, it was often left up to me to take raw footage and craft a story of my own on my own - this position required me to deliver results with very little supervision. Through a combination of experienced production, skillful editing and clean motion graphics, I was able to successfully produce hundreds of videos in just the few months I was employed at MOKO Social Media.
Lead Editor
MVAR Media, Alexandria, VA
May 2013 - December 2014
As Lead Editor at MVAR Media I was responsible for taking the Creative Director’s vision and translating that to the video screen. I produced almost 250 political ads while Lead Editor, most for broadcast, but many for web releases and political conventions. The vast majority of spots required a one day turn around, meaning long hours and short sleep. During the height of the 2014 political cycle, it was not uncommon for me to cut up 3 spots a day - multi-tasking wasn’t just required, it was absolutely crucial to the process.
Working mainly within Adobe After Effects, I worked closely with the Creative Director to deliver broadcast quality advertisements that were aired in local markets all around the country as well as occasionally on major networks, such as CNN and MSNBC. Other responsibilities included the design of logos, banners, merchandise and infographics, preparing spots for shipment to TV Stations, file management, training assistant editors, delivering to post houses for color correction, score and audio mix, preparing materials for client pitches, as well as being on call 24/7 to meet client’s needs.
SKILLS
I am very experienced using the Adobe Creative Suite, especially After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator and Media Encoder. I also have experience working in Cinema 4D, Final Cut Pro, MPEG StreamClip, MacCaption, Compressor and ScreenFlow.
In regards to After Effects, I’m proficient with a host of different plug-ins, from Trapcode Suite 16 to GeoLayers 3, a mapping plugin that I use regularly for High Resolution, a series I produce that focuses on employing satellite imagery to study activity across the globe.
I also have production experience working with DSLR cameras, specifically Sony A7S and Canon 5D and C100 cameras, shooting both on location, as well as in a studio environment on green screen, and recording audio both straight to camera and externally on ZOOM H4N and H5N audio recorders. From my past experience as an editor, I am all too aware how crucial competent lighting, keying, and shooting can be to the successful telling of any story.
I compose music for all of my videos, using a USB keyboard and Apple Logic. I’ve written hundreds of songs in the past five years and love taking on the challenge of composing music that fits the varying tones of each video I produce.
Lastly I’d like to mention that I am a fast learner, can quickly adapt to pressure and work very well with others. I’ve had the fortune to work on a very wide variety of subjects in my professional career and know that being able to roll with the punches can be invaluable in tough situations.
EDUCATION
State University of New York,
Purchase College
B.S. in New Media
Fall 2007 - Spring 2010
Montgomery College, Rockville
Television Production
Fall 2005 - Spring 2007
REFERENCES
RYAN FITZGIBBONS
Earth Science Video Producer,
NASA GSFC
PAUL FRANZ
Former Director of Technology,
iDeas Lab, CSIS
NGUYEN KHOI NGUYEN
Former co-worker, Science Magazine
202-441-8618
MATTHEW GEPP
Former Senior Manager of Digital Marketing
MOKO Social Media
571.232.1197
MICHAEL REILLY
Creative Director, MVAR Media LLC
703.674.8041