Summary:
On the web and in the broadcast communications industry I have extensive artistic and managerial experience that has earned me three Emmy Awards. I wrote, budgeted, and produced projects from development to broadcast and/or distribution, and hired and supervised production teams of up to twenty-five members (plus engineering and maintenance personnel) which included salary & contract negotiations and background checks. I have considerable skill analyzing project requirements and designing efficient systems towards accomplishing stated objectives while always maximizing synergistic opportunities. I have overseen third-party budgets, evaluated hardware and software for purchase or lease, provided basic accounting services, maintained technical standards and QC, furnished HR support documentation and been accountable for legal compliance. I am a very organized, informed, collaborative, and able to prioritize needs, motivate staff, and exceed goals. I am imaginative, flexible, efficient, and have a strong sense of responsibility coupled with excellent written, oral and graphic communications skills.
Software Tools (PC or MAC):
MS Project, MS Power Point, MS Excel, MS Word, MS Outlook MS Publisher, Quickbooks, Avid Media Composer, Avid Symphony, Avid Newscutter, Adobe Photoshop, DVDit, High Criteria, River Past, QuickTime, Xilisoft, Acronis TrueImage, Avery Design, EAC, FNProgramvare, MM Screenwriter, MM Scheduling, MM Budgeting, Roxio, Nero, WordPress, Good Sync, Exact Audio Copy, Hand Brake, and more.
Awards:
New York Area Emmy Award for editing – 2011 – 2012 Educational programming, Teen Kid’s News, U.S. Naval Academy (Alan Weiss Productions)
New York Area Emmy Award for editing – 2005 – 2006 Entertainment programming, YES’ Ultimate Road Trip (YES Network)
National Emmy Award for editing – Olympic Athlete Profiles for the 1994 Winter Olympic Games (CBS).
Telly Award for editing – 1996 Biography: James Earl Jones, With A Strong Voice (A&E Networks, Alan Weiss Productions)
Visual Samples:
Web Design and update – www.buythisforyourgirlfriend.com (2005/2015) www.robcassella.com
Graphic Design, Film & Video editing, script writing – www.robcassella.com
Education:
Don Bosco Prep – Ramsey, NJ
William Paterson College – Wayne, NJ
Los Angeles City College – Los Angeles, CA
Employment History (primary employers) – 1998 through 2021:
$100,000 Pyramid: Disney/ABC
Show Editor, Seasons II, IV & V
New York, NY
04-07/17 – 11/2020
Job Description – I was recommended to $100,000 Pyramid by Dr. Oz. Worked directly with show Producers, Director, and Assistant Directors in preparation for broadcast.
Atkins Nutritionals (a.k.a. Simply Good Foods)
Full Post Production Oversight
Denver, CO
08/16 – Present
Job Description – Pre-production consultation followed by full post production for 40 web spots.
NADA_J Productions, LLC.
Executive Producer
Wrote, directed, and edited a pilot for a short form web series currently titled, Loving Ava. Please click to see the pilot “Hello Kim.”
Zoco Productions: Dr. OZ
Independent Contractor
New York, NY
07/16 – Present
Job Description – Field package prEditor.
KingWorld Productions: Inside Edition (CBS Distribution)
Independent Contractor
New York, NY
11/07 – Present
Job Description – Edit news of the day into story form as quickly as possible.
Execution – Daily: Ascertain the topic as quickly a possible. Test run all the mechanical and software elements including network links, microphone lines, and external video tape deck controls at the work station and address problems immediately as missing a broadcast is not an option. Create “dummy” visual effects to be dropped onto the piece as not time is allocated to build effects from scratch. Prepare a sampling of appropriate music cues for the scriptwriter to pick from. Transfer each visual element into the workstation as it was approved or became available. Check for technical specification conformity and adjust as necessary. Two and one half hours before broadcast, when the script is delivered, I call a reporter to the sound booth and record his read of the scriptwriter’s story, insert his voice and cover the read with story visuals. Then blended in full sound-up video, add effects and music and submitted the piece to the senior producer and legal department for approval. Ten or so minutes before broadcast I make the called for changes and adjustments and electronically transfer the finish story to the broadcast center.
NBC Studios: The Meredith Vieira Show
Independent Contractor
New York, NY
09/15 – 05/16
Job Description – Field package prEditor.
StarShop.com
Independent Contractor
New York, NY
04/15 – 06/15
Job Description – Created the video templates used to promo the celebrity endorsed products offered from this web based store front.
Telepictures Productions: bethenny
Staff Editor
New York, NY
08/13 – 05/14
Job Description – In addition to working in close cooperation with the Post Supervisors and having a hand in all areas of post-production, I was instrumental in organizing the work flow and facilitating horizontal integration between the studio, graphics, and the post departments.
Telepictures Productions: Anderson Live
Staff Editor
New York, NY
01/13 – 04/13
Job Description – Hired mid-season to on-line Anderson Live (day-time talk) and establish ease and flow in an over extended post department. Working initially from instructions from the Post Producer and soon after from booth notes alone, I was responsible for invisible editing, crafting a fast moving and entertaining hour of “live” television as opposed to simply cutting for time. The scope of my work quickly expanded to every area of post including field packages, teases, promos, repeat packaging, and wrap shows.
A&E International: Biography
Independent Contractor
New York, NY
08/08 – 12/10
Job Description – Take episodes of Biography which are five to ten years old and revise and repackage them for international distribution vis-à-vis a new script, musical score, on camera interviews and graphics. [Samples available for viewing at robcassella.com. Click on ‘Video Clips’. The specific clip is “Doris Day.”]
Execution – Check and confirm all rights and clearances for pre-existing program materials. Transfer all master tapes and audio sources to the editing system without losing quality. Research available materials published or released since the current episode was completed. Fact check all elements being retain from the current episode. Write a new five act script incorporating selected old and new material, edited old interview sound bites and idealized versions of what the new interviews will cover. Contact and pre-interview potential subjects, carry out background checks, get signed Appearance Releases from the final picks. Book camera crew and co-ordinate shooting schedule with interviewees. Conduct on-camera interviews, transfer the interviews to the editing system and breakdown the conversation by topic and “television presence.” Rework the script so that it plays seamlessly and effectively in and out of the new interviews. Audition appropriate music to score the show and arrange a non-exclusive licensing agreement. License new visuals or acquire from the public domain. Record a “rough” track of the Narrator’s part and, act by act, lay out sequentially the Narrators’ and interviewees’ parts along with video that will be used at full volume. Cover the Narrators’ voice with moving images and animated still pictures, tailoring both the motion and visual transitions to the rhythm of the spoken word achieving an esthetically pleasing viewing experience. Add sound effects, visual effects, and music score. Confirm the script matches verbatim the finished program. Contract with a professional voice actor and book recording studio time. Direct the voice actor’s performance for proper inflection and timing. Replace the “rough” track of the Narrator’s part with the professional voice. Correct any misalignment between the new voice and visual rhythms. Mix the audio elements and check the brightness, color balance and timings to ensure there are within A&E’s technical specifications. Assemble a “show bible” comprising, 1) a shot by shot MS-Excel rundown showing the shot’s position in the show, source, and legal clearance, 2) an MS-Excel rundown of the on-screen credits and where in the program each appears, 3) an MS-Excel rundown of the music used showing title, duration, composer and royalty affiliation, and 4) copies of all signed property and materials release forms, and music and video license agreements. Deliver the new, revised episode and paperwork to A&E.08/08 – Present
Job Description – take episodes of Biography which are five to ten years old and revise and repackage them for international distribution vis-à-vis a new script, musical score, on camera interviews and graphics. [Samples available for viewing at robcassella.com. Click on ‘Video Clips’. The specific clip is “Doris Day.”]
Execution – Check and confirm all rights and clearances for pre-existing program materials. Transfer all master tapes and audio sources to the editing system without losing quality. Research available materials
Buy This For Your Girlfriend
Commercial DVD release
010/05 – 10/08
Job Description – Executive Produce a direct to DVD three part series introducing Football, Basketball and Hockey to the wives and girlfriends of sport crazy males. Design product packaging, a short-form (2 minute) infomercial demo, plus web site, point of sale displays, and ancillary product prototypes. Brainstorm follow up products and related branding possibilities.
Execution – Write a business plan and executive summary. Raise funds for the pilot episode. Prepare a budget. Engage legal representation. Identify risks and buy the appropriate insurance coverage. Hire a tax accountant. Interview and hired producers to develop the scripts and oversee crewing. Audition and select an actor to host the program. Build a company owned editing suite and graphic workstation, rather than lease or subcontract, to open additional revenue streams. Study graphic design and learn industry standard software applications. Learn DVD mastering and copy protecting systems. Research and evaluate DVD duplication houses. Do limited test marketing. Design the web site and write site copy. Hire a web programmer to convert my design creations to html and host the sight. Be present on location every production day to follow the producer’s progress and to monitor costs and legal compliance. Complete the entire editing/post production process (as outlined under A&E International.) Design product packaging, then check and correct the printer’s proofs. Design tee shirts bumper stickers and beer glasses, select manufactures and run samples.
YES (Yankees Entertainment & Sports) Network
Staff
New York, NY
05/02 – 11/04
Job Description – Senior Editor. Regular editing duties with or without a copywriter or producer. Handle special programming and/or re-writes and re-edits as assigned*. Oversight and administration of Avid non-linear editing network (four workstations) and maintenance of the central server. Responsible for editing systems software upgrades, system purging and workstation fire walls. Evaluate and recommend third party software to the head engineer, install if purchased and file warranties. Track all equipment warranties and service contracts. Identify failed or failing drives and oversee exchange and installation. Log and file appropriate documentation with engineering. *[Sample available for viewing at robcassella.com Click on ‘Video Clips’. The specific clip is “Hollywood Pinstripes.”]
Execution – (Apart from the editing.) Attended manufacturer workshops and subscribed to technical bulletins. Created worse case scenarios and worked out the solutions in advance with engineering. Developed and sustains excellent relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and their help centers. Met and maintained cordial relationships with area experts and manufacturer reps. And, to minimize downtime I encouraged the junior editors to become better acquainted with engineering issues and system/software workarounds.
Alan Weiss Productions: Commercial & Corporate
Independent Contractor
Stamford, CT
2003 – Present
Job Description – Long standing video production boutique for whom I been employed in every possible professional capacity.
KingWorld Productions: Curtis Court and The Anada Lewis Show
Staff
New York City, NY
06/98 – 011/01
Job Description – Post Production Producer/Supervisor. Responsible for three edit suits and immediate staff; two shifts of editors (6), assistant editors (4), production assistants (2), and post producers (3). Take programs taped before a live audience with four cameras, edit using notes from the Executive Producer and personal initiative and work closely with the legal team. Deliver finished shows according to a predetermined broadcast schedule. Answerable directly to the Vice President of East Coast Operations.
Execution – I was promoted to this position having first been hired as the lead editor. After two months, Curtis Court was running on schedule and on budget with overtime (the excess of which was why the first Supervisor was dismissed) cut to zero. I was asked to design post production the following season for The Ananda Lewis Show. While the post department ran smoothly, a series of upheavals midway through the season resulted in a myriad of staff.
Employment History – 1982 through 1998:
I began in 1982 as a teleprompter operator at the Financial News Network, Santa Monica, CA, working my way up to the position of Production Manager and Producer of the Morning News. In 1986 I was recruited by Townley Associates as Production Manager and part time editor and was relocated to NYC. Townley folded in 1987 and between then and late 1989 I was part time staff at Troika Productions, an industrial house, as office manager and The Wall St. Journal Report on Television as an editor and sometime director. In 1991 I moved to editing full time with Alan Weiss Productions and freelanced nights and weekends. I went freelance full time as an editor in 1993. Apart from two Olympic gigs (winter 1994 winter and summer 1996) and news magazine programs (Hard Copy, American Journal, A Current Affair) MTV, and Al Weiss were my biggest client in the 90’s.
The eight years before 1982, I worked in the restaurant industry. I apprenticed for three years in a four star kitchen, L’Orangerie, in Los Angeles, and ended that phase of my career as Sous Chef at The Chronicle, a three star, beach front restaurant in Santa Monica, CA.
Professional memberships
NABET (Local 16)
IBEW (Local 223)
Society of Broadcast Engineers
Volunteer Experience & Clubs
Carlstadt Volunteer Ambulance Corp. – 2 years
Cub Scout Scoutmaster – 3 years
Carlstadt Board of Education – 8 years
Assorted community actions – Life long
Sons of the Desert – The International Laurel & Hardy Appreciation Society
Hobbies
Audiophile/Music Junkie
Woodshop and Handyman projects
Travel
Scenic Design
Community Theatre, Directing
Cinema
Food and Wine