Background

 

Documentary Production

Media Literacy Education

Youth Development

Multimedia Production

Civic Engagement

Social Media Management

Web Development

Media Theory

Curriculum Development

Academic Experience

 

Adjunct Professor, Department of Media Arts, University of North Texas

Developed curricula materials, facilitated course lessons and evaluated students in upper-level and introductory undergraduate & cross-listed graduate courses. 

- MRTS 2010 Introduction to Media Arts Writing (2 sections):  Fall 2017 - Spring 2018

- MRTS 4412 Film Production Topics - Documentary:  Fall 2017

- MRTS 4450 Topics in Industry Studies - Using Social Media to Gather and Distribute News:  Fall 2017 - Spring 2018

- MRTS 3220 Video Production:  Spring 2018

 

Teaching Fellow, Department of Media Arts, University of North Texas

Developed curricula materials, facilitated course lessons and evaluated students in upper-level and introductory undergraduate courses. Instructor on record, worked independently.

- MRTS 2010 Introduction to Media Arts Writing:  Spring 2017

- MRTS 4475/5660 Digital Media and Society:  Fall 2016

- MRTS 4450 Topics in Industry Studies: Using Social Media to Gather and Distribute News:  Spring 2015 - Spring 2016

 

Teaching Assistant, Department of Media Arts, University of North Texas

Assisted in the classroom and evaluated student work in upper-level courses under faculty supervision.

- MRTS 4450/5660 Community Media Education with Dr. Jacqueline Vickery:  Summer 2016

- MRTS 4240 The Films of Alfred Hitchcock with Dr. G.S. Larke-Walsh:  Fall 2014 

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Research Assistant, Department of Media Arts, University of North Texas

Assisted Dr. Jacqueline Vickery with developing and facilitating Community Media Education course materials, lesson plans and conference materials. Additional assistance with scholarship related to youth media, digital storytelling and foster youth and other marginalized populations. Conducted qualitative research study on foster youth reacting to the television show “The Fosters”:  Fall 2014 - Summer 2018

Assisted Dr. Alan Albarran with Spanish Language Broadcast Media research:  Spring 2015

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Research Assistant, Media Education Lab, Temple University

Assisted with Dr. Renee Hobbs, Professor Sherri Hope Culver and Professor Eugene Martin with media literacy research, community media production, curricula development and facilitation, online game development and content management:  Fall 2007 - Spring 2010

 

 

Professional Experience

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Freelance Video Editor, Self-Employed

Worked on refugee advocacy documentary for the University of North Texas Department of Social Work. Lead editor of documentary short "Paleonatic" with a Texas-area colleague. Worked for small production house Image Revolver on several commercials and documentary-style promotional spots for senior care facilities in New Jersey. Worked for All Ages Productions on documentary-style videos for Philadelphia-area historical foundations and social service agencies, as well as commercial content.

May 2018 - present

 

Production Coordinator & 3D Crafter, Steve Rotfeld Productions

Managing Art Department finances, logistics, inventory and property for National Geographic television show “Weird But True.” In charge of budget, receipts, petty cash and reporting. Crafting 3D props with mixed materials as needed. Nominated for a 2021 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design.

June 2019 - March 2020

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Documentary Workshop Instructor, Philadelphia Community Access Media

Planning and facilitating a weekly filmmaking workshop to train a team of public defenders and community advocates working to create biography videos for their clients in an attempt to reduce charges and commute sentences. Taught basics of field production, documentary filmmaking and editing to working adult volunteers from the Defender Association of Philadelphia.

January 2019 - March 2020

 

Community Management Consultant, iDentonfy 

Worked with small staff of founders to manage social media relationships and online presence for a local community program and lifestyle brand. Developed social media strategy and produced multimedia content for daily posts and network growth. Supervised production and freelancers for promotional films. Planned community events in collaboration with local business owners and invested community members:  June 2016 - December 2016 

 

Youth Voice Specialist, YMCA of Greater Seattle and PugetSoundOff.org

Developed digital literacy programs and curricula for young people in YMCA social service programs, local schools and partner organizations. Lead website redevelopment for PugetSoundOff.org, an online blogging platform for youth civic engagement. Facilitated lessons on digital literacy, media production, social media, storytelling, civic engagement and advocacy. Managed internship program and supervised interns. Coordinated events and monthly installations in youth art gallery. Developed marketing and social media strategy:  August 2012 - July 2014

 

Associate Producer, Sprout Network

Produced television and online content for a national cable channel geared toward preschoolers and their families. Directed B-unit segments and managed production crews: art department, food department, wardrobe department, camera operator and talent. Wrote voiceover copy, produced audio sessions and supervised edits. Created props, puppet costumes, graphics and video for shoots. Managed the college internship program: interviewed, hired, trained, supervised and evaluated interns:  September 2009 - November 2011

 

Media Literacy Educator, Powerful Voices for Kids at Russell Byers Charter School

Taught critical thinking skills through media literacy lessons for first and second graders in an academic summer camp for high-barrier elementary school students in Philadelphia. Developed curriculum, daily lessons, classroom materials, online presence for my classroom. Helped students produce media and think critically about popular culture and media use. Provided classroom management and supervised playtime, lunchtime and field trips. Wrote regular reports to contribute to the research aspect of the program: Summer 2009

 

Arts Education Assistant, The Village of Arts and Humanities

Assisted the arts education director with curriculum development, facilitation and administrative tasks at a North Philadelphia community center for local low-income youth. Facilitated after-school film production and leadership classes. Collaborated with teens to write, produce and edit multimedia projects about community issues. Provided community outreach to local schools and families in surrounding neighborhoods. Coordinated field trips, screening events and communication with parents about youth's’ progress:  Sept 2008 - June 2009

 

 

Documentary Production

 

Eggplant Emoji, in progress.

Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Sound Recordist, Editor.

This documentary features groups of female storytellers who weave together hilarious and cathartic stories about the practice of sexting. Unsolicited “dick pics” serve as a starting point for conversation and critique of dating culture in a patriarchal society that’s growing increasingly digital. 20 mins.

 

Paleonatic, 2019.

Editor.

This documentary follows three advanced amateur paleontologists as they search for fossils in the arid and perilous mountains of northwest Nebraska. Part educational, part observational, and chock full of hijinks and gorgeous landscape imagery. 20 mins. 

 

Rasoi, 2016.

Producer, Director. 

This documentary follows the passionate staff of an Indian restaurant before they are pushed out of their space in an old gas station because of nearby university expansion. We follow their last days before they relocate and move on to their next endeavor. 18 mins.

 

Project Freeplay, 2016.

Cinematographer. 

This documentary explores the concept of fully improvised music through the perspective of a unique double-drum quintet that features multiple Grammy Award winning artists. 20 mins.

- Televised World Premiere Broadcast on PBS KERA 13, Dallas/Fort Worth, Sept 2016

- Promotional radio interview aired on Talk Radio 1190 AM, Dallas/Fort Worth, December 2016 

- Screened at Moving Pictures Festival - Berlin, March 2017

- Screened at Thin Line Fest, Won Best Student Documentary, April 2017

- Screened at Festival of Media Arts, Broadcast Education Association, April 2017

 

 

Circus City, USA, 2016.

Sound Recordist.

For over 70 years, more than 20 different circuses have called Hugo, Oklahoma their winter home. This documentary shows why the town is known as Circus City, USA. 30 mins.

- Screened at Hollywood International Independent Documentary, August 2016 

- Screened at Frack Fest, October 2016

- Screened at South Carolina Underground Film Festival, November 2016

- Screened at Rivercity Underground Film Festival, December 2016

- Screened at Tri-Cities International Film Festival, multiple dates and locations in 2017

- Screened at Sweet As Film Festival - Toronto, January 2017

- Screened at Critical Edge Film Festival - Madison, January 2017

- Screened at Mindfield Film Festival - Los Angeles, February 2017

- Screened at Red Dirt International Film Festival, March 2017

- Screened at Broadway Film Festival, July 2017

- Screened at Colortape International Film Festival - Australia, August 2017

- Screened at Thin Line Fest, April 2017

- Screened at Festival of Media Arts, Broadcast Education Association, April 2017

- Screened at Independent Film Festival Boston, May 2017

- Screened at Rendezvous Film Festival, September 2017

- Screened at Datalus Showcase, September 2017

- Screened at Houston International Film Festival, October 2017

- Screened at Tulsa American Film Festival, October 2017

 

- Screened at Utah Film Festival, June 2018

- Screened at Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase, July 2018

 

More Than A Melody, 2016.

Editor.

This documentary defines music therapy and its misconceptions, providing an up-close look at the therapeutic process in this relatively new field that combines art, science and humanities.

 

Keep Moving, 2014.

Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Sound Recordist, Editor.

This documentary short combines observational and interviews to follow senior citizens who attend a fitness and physical therapy center exclusively for seniors in Denton, Texas. This film follows the friendships and physical benefits that are nurtured within this community space. 10 mins.

- Screened at North Texas Universities Film Festival, April 2015.

 

Selecting the New SPD Police Chief, 2014.

Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Sound Recordist, Lead Editor.

This documentary short features interviews with Seattle-area young adults responding to the Seattle Mayor Office’s call for suggestions about who the next police chief should be. Film was featured in the Mayor Ed Murray’s Quarterly Report, Annual State of the City Address, Mayor’s Office social media and PugetSoundOff.org. 6 mins.

 

Teen Dating Violence Awareness, 2014.

Director, Producer, Supervising Editor.

This documentary short compiles interviews with high school students at Ingraham High School in Seattle, Washington to raise awareness about teen dating violence at their school during the month of February. As a part of the campaign, students attended over 40 internship and volunteer hours of education and training before participating in this culminating film. 8 mins.

 

 

Television Production

 

Weird But True, National Geographic, 2020. Art Department Production Coordinator & 3D Crafter.

 

Midnight Rewind Interstitials, SYFY, 2019. Production Assistant.

 

Super Sproutlet Show, Sprout, 2011. Associate Producer and B-Unit Director. Pre-production Script Manager. 

 

Noodle and Doodle, Sprout, 2011. Associate Producer and B-Unit Director, Pre-production Script Manager, Pre-production Prop Demos. 

 

Sunny Side Up Show, Sprout, 2009-2011. Associate Director, Production Assistant, Propmaster, Costumer, Video Producer, Graphics Producer.

 

Driver Dan’s Story Train, Sprout, 2011. Voiceover Director and Producer.

 

Sprout Sharing Show, Sprout, 2010. Propmaster, Costumer, Production Assistant.

 

Good Night Show, Sprout, 2010-2011. Copywriter, Propmaster, Supervising Editor, Production Assistant.

 

 

Website Production

 

Mediaarts.unt.edu, 2014-2016. Developer, Content Manager, Copywriter, Blogger, Graphics Producer. This site serves as an online portfolio and resource for sharing the work of students, faculty and alumni in the Department of Media Arts at the University of North Texas. 

 

PugetSoundOff.org, 2012-2014. Developer, Content Manager, Copywriter, Blogger, Graphics Producer, Trainer. This site is funded by the City of Seattle and YMCA of Greater Seattle to serve as a hub for Seattle area youth and invested adults to engage in civic dialogue through digital media and resource sharing. The site is used in YMCA programs, high schools, community centers, after-school programs and other youth-serving organizations in the Seattle area.

 

YouthDigitalMedia.org, 2012-2014. Developer, Content Manager, Copywriter, Blogger, Graphics Producer. This site serves as a blog and digital storefront for the staff of PugetSoundOff.org to share curricula, events, resources and student work to an international audience of educators.

 

SproutOnline.com, 2009-2011. Video Content Producer, Video Content Manager, Graphics Producer. This site is the online space for the Sprout television network to share video clips, games, recipes, printables and activities with the audience of preschoolers and their families.

MyPopStudio.com, 2007-2010. Game Concept Developer, Copywriter, Content Manager, Blogger, Graphics Producer. This site was created by Temple University’s Media Education Lab to engage youth in digital literacy and critical thinking practices through games about popular culture.

 

 

Selected Scholarship

 

Book Chapters Published

Albarran, Alan B. and Nicole Warncke. “Problems and Prospects of Spanish Language Television Broadcasting in the United States,” Race and Gender in Electronic Media: Content, Context, Culture. Routledge. 2017.

 

Conference Presentations

“Community Media Education: A case study in connecting universities with marginalized youth.” Presented with Dr. Jacqueline Vickery. National Association for Media Education Conference, Chicago, Illinois: June 2017.

 

“The Mask You Live In” Screening and Panel Discussion. Department of Media Arts, University of North Texas Media Library: April 2015.

 

“Spanish Language Broadcasting In the US: A Critical Analysis.” Broadcasting Education Association Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada: April 2015.

 

“Strengthening Authentic Youth Voice In Your Programs.” Presented evaluative toolkit and new strategies for educators, mentors and youth development workers at SOAR Conference: Putting the Pieces Together, Auburn, Washington: June 2014.

 

 

Grants Received

 

Small Sparks Fund, City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods: “Night Out Event,” 2013. Applied with Seattle YMCA.

 

Grants Applied For, Not Funded

 

Knight News Challenge, Knight Foundation: “PugetSoundOff.org, a local online hub for youth-led movements and meaningful dialogue with peers and invested adults,” 2014. Applied with YMCA of Greater Seattle.

 

New Media Women Entrepreneurs, McCormick Foundation: “The Plus1 Project,” 2013. Applied with colleague Katie Donnelly.

 

Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative: “Youth Voices Against Violence,” 2013. Applied with YMCA of Greater Seattle.

 

 

Honors and Scholarships

   

Daytime Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design: June 2021

Faculty Senate Teaching Fellowship Award, University of North Texas:  Spring 2017

MFA Graduate Student Academic Excellence Award in Media Arts, University of North Texas:  Spring 2017

Staples Graduate Scholarship, University of North Texas:  2015-2016 

Department of Media Arts Ambassador, University of North Texas:  2014-2017

Graduate Assistantship Tuition Scholarship, University of North Texas:  2014-2017

Segal Education Award, AmeriCorps Year of National Service:  2013

Magna Cum Laude, Temple University:  2009

Honors Program, Temple University:  2005-2009

Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award, Temple University:  2009

Academic Excellence Scholarship, Temple University:  2005-2009

Academic All-Stars Award, Express-Times:  2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skills

 

Editing

Avid, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, PhotoShop, Audition, GarageBand

 

Social Research

focus groups, interviews, participant observation, photo elicitation, statistical analysis, SPSS Statistics

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Scriptwriting

Final Draft, Celtx

 

Arts

prop building, painting, sculpting, papier-mâché, papercutting, costume construction, puppet making