Previously in my career…
Bringing a narrative to the news & connecting with multichannel audiences.
I spent seven years at CNN Documentaries learning the entire video production cycle from pitch to production to broadcast, as well how to capture attention on CNN.com and social media.
Then I wrote, produced, and directed The Southern Weekend, a travel show about The South that was supported with branded content. I helped craft pitches for sales people, worked directly with clients to realize their vision, and drove virality across web and social. Oh, and my team and I drove all over the South while interviewing unbelievable characters and eating an absurd amount of barbecue.
From there, it was on to Salesforce where I wrote and produced a documentary series about climate change, a thought leadership series about what’s next in marketing, docu-style product videos (yes, seriously) and so much more.
My current work at Cineverse focuses on live event production, short-form marketing content, and everything else I can do to get butts in seats for our theatrical releases.
In my free time I… well, I also produced video content like a concert series in my backyard and a short film I directed for a friend.
Please enjoy a selection of my work below.
PMDP marine debris removal
ROLE: Writer, Producer, Researcher
DESCRIPTION: The Ecopreneurs was a documentary series that highlighted entrepreneurs building solutions to combat the effects of climate change.
When Salesforce founder Marc Benioff asked us to create an episode about a tiny non-profit that works 150 miles off the coast of Kauaʻi, it was up to me to find the story of the organization, the characters we needed to tell that story, and the supporting visuals we need to tell that story.
I think we turned in one hell of an episode. Plus now I know how to pronounce Papahānaumokuākea.
Weed: Sanjay gupta presents
ROLE: Associate producer, second unit director
DESCRIPTION: Sanjay Gupta’s Weed docuseries is the best thing I worked on while at CNN. The debut entry, featured here, won a duPont-Columbia award for best documentary.
I ran extensive research including finding our characters and extensive scientific fact checking. I also directed second unit production of b-roll and supporting web pieces.
Ecopreneurs: seatrees
ROLE: Writer, Producer, Researcher
DESCRIPTION: The Ecopreneurs was a documentary series that highlighted entrepreneurs building solutions to combat the effects of climate change.
I spent many hours pre-interviewing the fine folks behind Seatrees to understand their business model and look for ways to tell the story of an app in a visually interesting way. I am happy to say the dive sequence was my idea… we need to see those sea trees in action!
TERROR IN PARIS
ROLE: Writer + Associate Producer
DESCRIPTION: An hour-long documentary about the 2015 Terror Attacks on cultural sites throughout Paris, which debuted within seven days of the initial attack.
As writer and associate producer, I had to work quickly with a group of international stakeholders interpreting up-to-the-minute press breaks for a domestic audience.
To a moral certainty
ROLE: Director + Producer
DESCRIPTION: Done largely as a favor for a friend, this educational short was admitted to the International Christian Film Festival and the lead of the film, a first-time actor, was nominated for Best Actor.
The short ultimately found distribution and is now a discussion starter for adult Christian education classes nationwide.
Columbus, GA
ROLE: Director + Writer + Producer
DESCRIPTION: This is the opening segment for a half-hour show about how to spend a day in Columbus, Ga. It involved a full day interviews + multiple cameras along a river + follow boats + even a couple GoPros.
The only parameters my team and I were given was “Columbus, GA.” I knew immediately that we had to tell the story of Columbus through the Chattahoochee River and the people who spend their days on it.
I ran all research, found our characters, did all the editorial prepped, led field production including booking boats and placing cameras, directed interviews, wrote the segment, and managed the edit.
TRELLIS ATL
ROLE: Creator + Director + Audio
DESCRIPTION: My friends and I were bored. We had a bunch of production equipment. Lots of our friends were musicians… the idea basically created itself.
For this series, I ran audio, booked all the bands, and provided beers as compensation.
Oh and it was shot in my backyard.
Ann’s snack bar
ROLE: Director + Writer + Producer
DESCRIPTION: As the director, writer, producer and booker for The Southern Weekend, I occasionally snuck a personal favorite into the show. I knew the people behind Ann’s Snack Bar were such characters, and the burgers so incredible, that it would make a great segment.
I ran all pre-pro, day of logistics, directed, and wrote the segment. Molly’s reaction was so good, I insisted we put it near the top (counter intuitive for a food segment).
slave haven undeground railroad museum
ROLE: Director + Writer + Producer
DESCRIPTION: I wanted to feature the civil rights history in the Southern Weekend’s episode about Memphis. When I discovered that “The most arrested woman in Memphis” ran a museum in a genuine stop on the Underground Railroad, I insisted we include it in the show.
The top brass was not excited about including a somber piece in our typically lively show, but all agreed that it turned out fantastic and had to be featured.
buford highway
ROLE: Director + Writer + Producer
DESCRIPTION: Buford Highway is a massive stretch of road that houses the most diverse population in the Atlanta area. So when telling the story of the neighborhood, I decided to focus on the food to begin the discussion of the culture.
I hired a local guide to take us on a day-long tour through the wildly disparate food types you can find in just two miles of this highway.