While studying at Emerson, I began working as a freelance video editor. I was doing SVHS tape based video production at New England Media Productions in Braintree and using the hybrid FAST system at David Cort Productions in Winchester. I also worked in print and graphic design (at Olsen Images) and advertising (Smash Advertising) as well as production assistant for independent films and parabolic boom microphone operater for New England Patriots through the Green Line Group.
One friend and employer, David Cort recommended
I attend Bob Doyle's Hi-8 user's group. I became a member and attended many meetings at his Cambridge home near the
Harvard campus, witnessing the "birth of the firewire" and the transition to nonlinear.
I am thankful to have learned to cut film, do tape-based editing and used various
hybrid systems...
but glad to begin working on Media 100 and Avid systems at
the beginning.
My core duty was to offer tech support to the video editing suites during night sessions.
In addition, I helped maintain and operate a cutting edge QuickTime server which was used mainly to automate time consuming assembly edits. I also installed, supported and maintained Adobe Premiere editing systems used by Showtime producers to offline edit prior to going into edit rooms.
I often fixed peoples computers while they were at home asleep or out drinking, which made people happy when they came back in morning. I also made dubs and installed software and hardware on computers.
I learned to excel in my position and do more than I was asked. I am very grateful to Dirk van Dall and others who hired me for this position. At the time I was staying in a cheap hotel and knew noone in NYC, so this position really helped me out in many ways. I worked with lots of wonderful people with whom I am still in contact.
Season one was approved and continued to be fairly grueling as far as technical problems were concerned. Working with all parties in Los Angeles and NYC, we began to streamline the process eventually converting to Final Cut Pro and getting the Animatic editing down to two to three days per show.
I worked for Nickelodeon with an amazing group of people until 2005 when I left NYC to enroll in graduate school in Vermont. I am still trying to convince them that I can do this work remotely. Dora is a teacher of languages and I believe can also teach sustainability issues to children.
