Victor M. Taplin

2006-04-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

Victor Taplin at the Stream O/S booth at the
2001 Streaming Video Expo in New York
working on the Ungoverned.com Project.

To Whom It May Concern,

If you're reading this you're probably considering me for a position with your organization or perhaps you need someone to help you organize your project. When people read my resumes they usually get confused and frankly, sometimes, so do I. I've done a lot of work these past 32 years.

I've assembled this website in order to effectively convey my experience and qualifications.

I am 55 years old and my career spans about 33 years. I began working with video in High School. After spending 2 years studying Biology at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, New York I decided to work in media. Mother was not pleased.

I've attempted to breakdown my experience into easy to read sections; Career Highlights, Film, Video, Broadcast and News Operations, New Media and Information Technology.

To put it simply, I find myself caught in a storm. With all of this convergence going on these days I find myself constantly racing to keep-up, WITH EVERYTHING! At New York University Film School I was trained in the Autuer Tradition, that training has been the driving and guiding force throughout every aspect of my career.

For those of you interested in my production and post-production skills I have included some of my work from over the years. Many times I've had to operate under unusual circumstances. You can read that media's "Backstory" to obtain more insight.

Thank you for your time.

Victor M. Taplin
___________________________________________

"It hurts being on the cutting edge" - Jonn Nubian

I began my professional career as a cable television cameraman back in 1978. I never imagined where the rapid advances in technology would take me. These days I spend most of my time trying to stay current - with everything! I have learned that those who fail to keep up, quickly get left behind.

I've worked on my different projects in a variety of environments. I can adapt to any situation, quickly. I love a challenge and I also like doing lots of different jobs. I love travel. I run a neat, clean and organized operation.

Current Projects:
Digital Movies
Subscription based Streaming Video Adventure Programming.

_______________________________________

Victor M. Taplin

BASED IN:

New York, New York U.S.A.

LANDLINE: 212.410.3950 / MOBILE: 646.538.0659

Email: vtap@hotmail.com

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Summary:
The skill and experience to create and support converging media.

Hardware: (PC and Mac Platforms when available)

Multimedia:
Filmmaker, AVID, Adobe PhotoShop, Premiere, MediaCleaner Pro, Media 100, Sound Forge, Final Cut Pro, Livetype, Soundtrack Pro, Motion, Leitch NEWSFlash

Web:
HTML, SMIL, JavaScript, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Windows Media, Real Media, QuickTime, Prime Ape Integrator, Artesia Digital Asset Management System, Portable Encoders

ADMIN:
MS Office, MS Outlook, Windows NT, Novell NetWare, Mac O/S, Network Topology, PC Hardware / Network, Entry Level Technical Support

July 2008 - Present
Jonathan Kowalski Consulting
Hardware and Network Technical Support.

August 2006 - October 2007
Oxygen Media
Video Editor for Air Karaoke. (Freelance)

May 2005 -Present
Manhattan Neighborhood Network
Intern
Engineering and I.T. Departments
Analog to Digital based Broadcast Systems and Operations, I.T. Networking Infrastructure, web, upgrade and technical support training. (Freelance)

2006 Baseball Season
MLB.com
Video Editor for online time-sensative subscription based online VOD content. (Freelance)

May 2004 - Present
IAED
International Agency For Economic Development
Media Technology Advisor
Tasked with providing broadcast television and internet solutions for this international social-economic development organization.

Fall Semester 2002 - Spring Semester 2003
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Guest Lecturer
Streaming Video Production for the Web
Information Technology Programs
Olivia Whiteman, Instructor
eCommerce Certificate Program

February - March, 2002
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATION COMMITTEE FOR
THE UNITED NATIONS www.cccun.org
Consultant, Post-production for video record of public meeting: “Enhancing Coexistence: Nonviolent Conflict Resolution in the Middle East.” Tasks included music editing, multi-codec, video-on-demand encoding.

January 2001 - May 2003
Co-Founder and Vice-President, Ungoverned.com
Produced and captured live performance art. Edited and prepared broadcast program. Live Encoding of clip format broadband Internet Video Content. Functioned as key technical and administrative contact for all of the participating companies including Microsoft, who provided links on their WindowsMedia.Com homepage.

March 2000 - September 2000
NEWS DIGITAL MEDIA, Inc.,New York
Associate Video Producer, www.foxnews.com.
VOD (Windows Media, Real, Quick Time, Narrowband & Broadband) Video encoding of Fox News Channel news broadcast packages for Streaming Content development. Created titles, captions and graphics. Responsible for updating HTML, JavaScript and SMIL code as per video news coverage. Original content video production.

February 1998 - September 2000
LANOP CORPORATION, New York - www.lanop.com
Tasked with hardware and network technical support (Novell Help Desk Analyst) as well as technical writing for computer based training database. Created technical support department documentation procedures and project tracking. Assisted in the building of a training program for certifying Novell and Microsoft Systems.

November 1997 - April 1998
GLOBIX Corporation, New York - www.belltech.com
(Formally Bell Technology Group Ltd. / Bluestreak Digital)
Part of the development team responsible for researching new solutions for Streaming Video over the Internet using Real Networks technology.

September - December, 1999 & September, 2004
Television Engineer,
UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION, New York
Technical Director, camera, video control, videotape, audio & lighting for in-house pool media coverage and the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly and the NGO Conference of 2004.

August 1991 - November 2001
CBS local and Network News, Reuters Television International, CNN and others, New York
Technical Operations Consultant in various duties including satellite / microwave transmission engineer (earth stations and trucks), videotape editor, camera operator (field & studio.)

May 1990 - August 1990
Founder, PHASE 10 FILM Productions, New York
Executive Producer, Editor, Production Sound & 3rd Camera Operator
"RUN LIKE HELL!" (Feature film).
Created circa 1978. Motion Picture production collective consisting of film students from NYU Film School, School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute and Jersey City State College. Responsibilities included department budgeting, staffing, equipment provisioning, workflow optimization, documentation, training procedures and productivity.

March 1989 - August 1989
DISNEY/MGM STUDIOS, Orlando, Florida
Special Effects, Camera Utility, Grip and Electric
"Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Theater”, “The Disney 4th of July Spectacular”, "The Great Movie Ride" and "Goofy Games"

June 1986 - June 1988
Brooklyn/Queens BQ Cable TV, Inc.
Master Control Operator
Three headends, two downlinks and one master control room. Microwave fiber, Baseband and RF with 69 channels. Responsibilities included local programming and commercial insertion as well as writing, voice-overs and videotape editing of cross channel promotions.
_______________________

PUBLICATIONS
Co-author, "KARATE GOES HOLLYWOOD."
BLACK BELT Magazine, July 1992 - Page 46.
_______________________

EDUCATION
January - May 1999
Dean’s List; Technical Career Institutes
Industrial Electronics and Computer Technology

August 1999
Brentwood Satellite Services, Inc.
Santa Monica, California
Satellite / Microwave Truck Operations

March 1998 - 2000
LANOP Corporation
Local Area Networking technical support

May 1983
Certificate in Film Production,
New York University
School of Continuing Education
_______________________

URLs:

MLB.com
Video Editor for online time-sensative subscription based online VOD content.

www.ungoverned.com
Live streaming video content creation,
Ad / Page design and layout

www.FoxNews.com
Video content creation, Writing titles and captions

www.ubo.com
Live Streaming Video content creation

BROADCAST and NEWS OPERATIONS

PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

August 2006 - October 2007
Oxygen Media
Video Editor for Air Karaoke. (Freelance)

October, 2005- January, 2006
Discovery Communications
Television and Technology Center, Sterling Virginia
Master Control Operator
24 x 7 broadcast facility. Tasked with quality control and delivery of on-air programming. 13 Satellite Networks, (1 to 3 simultaneous per shift). Responsibilities included monitoring and on-air continuity in a multi-channel environment. Tasked with LAN based Colossus Automation systems and equipment operations, including but not limited to Omnibus Presmaster and Image Store. Position required a high level of attention to detail. Tasked with recognizing and executing appropriate emergency recovery proceedures when necessary to preserve on-air-continuity. (Freelance)

November 2002 - July 2003
Digital Generation Systems, Inc., New York
Assistant to the Chief Engineer / Studio Engineer.
Plant documentation and upgrade of a large Duplication and Satellite facility. System troubleshooting and machine swap out. Studio Engineer for live satellite events including News, VNRs and Satellite Media Tours.

September - December 2001
DBS - Direct Broadcast Services, Inc., New York
Microwave Truck Operator, Camera and Satellite Truck Utility, during the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks. Clients included New York 1 News and Bloomberg Television. (Freelance)

September - December 1999 & 2004
UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION, New York
Television Engineer
Technical Director, Camera, Video Control, Audio & Lighting for In-house Pool Media Coverage and the Fifty-fourth Session of the General Assembly and the 2004 NGO Conference (Freelance)

August 1999
BRENTWOOD SATELLITE SERVICES, Inc.,
Santa Monica, California.
Trained in Satellite/Microwave Truck Uplink Operations.

September 1995 - April 1997
WCBS-TV Channel 2 News, CBS Newspath
& The CBS Network News (New York)
Satellite Playout, Satellite Record & Videotape Editor. (Freelance)

March 1990 - August 1995
WNYW-TV Fox, Inc. " 10 O'CLOCK NEWS"
& "GOODDAY NEW YORK."
Videotape Editor & Satellite Record Operator. (Freelance)

September 1990 - May 1993
REUTERS TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL, New York
Satellite Transmission Engineer, Camera Operator
(Field and Studio), Videotape Editor. (Freelance)

April 1990 - January 1991
GLOBALVISION, Inc. " SOUTH AFRICA NOW."
Camera, Sound & Videotape Editor. (Freelance)

December 1989 - November 1997
CABLE NEWS NETWORK, Inc. (CNN) New York
Field Camera, Sound & Videotape Editor (Freelance)

January 1989 - April 1989
HBJ Video, Inc. Orlando, Florida
Videotape Editor. (Freelance)

June 1986 - June 1988
TIME/WARNER COMMUNICATIONS, Brooklyn/Queens (BQ)
Cable TV, Inc. / Master Control Operator.
Three Head ends, Two Downlinks
& One Master Control Center.
Fiber, Base band & RF. 69 Channels. Local Origination Programming. Commercial Insertion. Writing, Voice overs and Videotape Editing of Cross Channel Promotions.

NEW MEDIA and INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(Independent Study began in 1996)

POSITION

Digital Video Production, Post-Production and Encoding

for Streaming Video Applications.

Web Site Designer specializing in Streaming Video.

Video Operations Engineer with a New Media Organization.

PC Hardware Tech Support. Entry Level Network Tech Support.

CAREER OBJECTIVE
Seeking new and challenging positions in INTERNET and INFORMATION TECHNOLGIES; including Networks, Hardware Technical Support, Artistic Digital Design, Construction and Implementation of NEW MEDIA for the INTERNET and the World Wide Web.

Hardware:
PCs, Macs , Video Capture Cards, Sony Digital Camcorders, Canon Digital Camcorders, and Video Editing with Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro, WebCaster 3 Portable Encoders.

EXPERIENCE

July 2008 - Present
Jonathan Kowalski Consulting
Hardware and Network Technical Support.

May 2005 -Present
Manhattan Neighborhood Network
Intern
Engineering and I.T. Departments
Analog to Digital based Broadcast Systems and Operations, I.T. Networking Infrastructure, web upgrade and Technical Support training. (Freelance)

2006 Baseball Season
MLB.com
Video Editor for online time-sensative subscription based online VOD content. (Freelance)

May 2004 - Present
IAED
International Agency For Economic Development
Media Technology Advisor
Tasked with providing broadcast television and internet solutions for this international social-economic development organization.

Fall Semester 2002 - Spring Semester 2003
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Guest Lecturer
Streaming Video Production for the Web
Information Technology Programs
Olivia Whiteman, Instructor
eCommerce Certificate Program

January 2001 - May 2003
UNGOVERNED.COM
Produced and captured live performance art. Edited and prepared broadcast program. Live Encoding of clip format broadband Internet Video Content. Functioned as key technical and administrative contact for all of the participating companies including Microsoft, who provided links on their WindowsMedia.Com homepage.

March 2000 - September 2000
NEWS DIGITAL MEDIA, Inc., New York
www.foxnews.com
Associate Video Producer Broadband Producer.
Digitizing, editing, encoding (Real, Netshow, Quick Time & Broadband) and uploading Video News Packages from the Fox News Channel for the creation of Streaming Video Content. Creating JPEG links. Writing titles and captions for the JPEG links. Updating HTML, JAVASCRIPT and SMIL files to reflect changes to the Video Web Page . Original Content Video Production and Post-Production.

September 2001
iBEAM Broadcasting www.ibeam.com
Audio Technician
Goldman Sachs 8th Annual Global Retailing Conference.
(Freelance)

April - May 2001
YO NETWORKS www.yonewyork.com
DV Shooter/Editor
On Demand, Online Video News and Entertainment site.
(Vacation Relief)

February 2001
iStream TV - www.istreamtv.com
Cameraman and Encoder (Freelance)

June 11, 2000
URBAN BOX OFFICE
LATINFLAVA.COM - www.latinflava.com
Technical Assistant and Cameraman on the live Satellite Cybercast of the New York Puerto Rican Day Parade.

February 1998 - September 2000
LANOP CORPORATION, New York -
Tasked with hardware and network technical support (Novell Help Desk Analyst) as well as technical writing for computer based training database. Created technical support department documentation procedures and project tracking. Assisted in the building of a training program for certifying Novell and Microsoft Systems.

November 1997 - April 1998
GLOBIX Corporation, New York www.belltech.com
formally Bell Technology Group Ltd., New York/Bluestreak Digital Part of the Development Team responsible for researching new Solutions for Streaming Video over the Internet using the RealVideo File Format.

September 1997 - February 1998
Future X Systems llc., Jersey City, New Jersey www.fxs.com
Senior Chief Video Operations Engineer.
Web Site development and MultiMedia Solutions.

TRAINING:

(April 30, 2001)
Courses; iStream TV, New York - www.iStreamTV.com
WebCast Seminar.

(June 6, 2000)
Fox News Channel, New York www.foxnews.com
Writing Workshop Focusing on the Art of the Sell: Teases, Headlines and Leads. (June 6, 2000)

(April 7, 1998)
REALNETWORKS, Inc, New York www.real.com
RealPublisher Version 5.0

FILM and VIDEO PRODUCTION

December, 2008
Ndolo Films
Set Production Assistant
"The Birthday Party"
A Short Film by Véronique N. Doumbé

July, 2006
Ndolo Films
Production Assistant
"LUGGAGE"
A Short Film by Véronique N. Doumbé

May 1993 - July 1993
V.I.P. PRODUCTIONS, Inc.
Post-Production Coordinator on
"KNIGHT OF SWORDS" (Feature)
Supervising Film-to-Tape transfers from the negative, sound to Transfers. Syncing dailies. Making window dubs. Edited the trailer.

May 1990 - August 1990
MACH 5/PHASE 10 FILM PRODUCTIONS
Producer, Editor, Production Sound & 3rd Camera Operator on
"RUN LIKE HELL!"(Feature)

March 1989 - August 1989
DISNEY/MGM STUDIOS, Orlando, Florida
Special Effects, Camera Utility, Grip and Electric "INDIANA JONES EPIC STUNT THEATER", "THE DISNEY 4th OF JULY SPECTACULAR",
"THE GREAT MOVIE RIDE" & "GOOFY GAMES"

March 1989
DISNEY/MGM STUDIOS, Orlando, Florida
Grip and Electric
"BOB DANCE DODGE" (Commercial)

January 1989 - April 1989
HBJ Video, Inc. Orlando, Florida
Videotape Editor. (Freelance)

1987
"THE SPACE AVENGER"
Assistant Camera - Special Effects
Independent Feature Film

October - November 1985
GARNER-KING COMMUNICATIONS, Inc.
Camera, Animation & Special Effects
"TWILIGHT TALES" (TV Pilot)

December 1985 - April 1986
UNIVERSAL TELEVISION, Inc.
Continuity & Production Assistant
"THE EQUALIZER"(CBS Television Series)

1984
TROMA FILMS, Inc.
Sound Editor (Trailer)
"THE TOXIC AVENGER" (Feature)
Assistant Camera Operator
"CLASS OF NUKE 'Em HIGH" (Feature)

August 1985 - June 1986
CITY OF NEW YORK
HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION
Office Associate - Word Processing, Data Entry & Clerical. Photography, Video and Film for THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS / MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

October 1984 - October 1988
JOHN GATI FILM EFFECTS, Inc.
Production Assistant on Lighting and Camera setups. Assistant Animator for Television Commercial Special Effects Production.
(35mm Motion Picture Photography)

February 1984 - June 1984
DU ART VIDEO, Inc.
Mass Duplication and Playback, Film-to-Tape Transfers & 3/4 inch Editing.

August 1982 - January 1984
"SPOTLIGHT ON TEENS"
Director, Studio & Field Camera.
(Live Cable Access Program)

October 1981 - January 1983
"COMIC BOOK QUIZ"
Associate Producer and Director.
(Live Cable Access Program)

1981 - 1983
ETC TELEVISION WORKSHOP (Internship)
Audio Mixing, Camera and Directing.

1979 - 1981
"THE DAVID GRUEN SHOW"
Camera, Audio, Lighting & VideoTape Editing.
Cable Television, National Syndication, SPN Network.

Video Production and Post-Production

2006-04-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've shot and edited a lot of stuff these last decades। The Film formats were;Super 8mm, 16mm and 35mm, and the Video formats include 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1-inch, Betacam, High-8, DVCAM and DVC-PRO. I am currently training on the Red One camera.

I've edited motion picture film on Moviola 16 and 35mm uprights and flatbeds, a variety of off and online linear systems and of course Non-linear editing systems including Avid and Final Cut Pro. These days I primarily use Final Cut Pro along with LiveType and Soundtrack Pro.

Welcome to my online REEL

you will need the QuickTime Player to watch these videos.

Note: Recently Blip.tv has begun to transcode video files in Flash.
If you have trouble with QuickTime, try the Flash link.

Mo'Slim
"Federal Crime Scene"
-Music Video-
2009

In the summer of 2008 Mo'Slim played his new song entitled "Federal Crime Scene" for me. I hadn't done anything in a while and I was looking to something more challenging than what I've been doing lately, yet within the scope of the limited resources that were available to me. We scouted locations and were fortunate enough to find a great group of kids and "Bad Guys". We shot this Music Video commando style and everyone was pleased with the result. The song deals with the 9-11 Attacks and the plight of the Palestinians and given the never ending tensions in the middle-east is sure to ignite some controversy. Enjoy.

Director/Camera/Editor/etc.

click here to download QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

click here to download Large QuickTime Video

Sunday, January 20, 2009
Super Station TV Globo International of Miami, Florida
Hosted a lavish dinner and networking event!
All of the Top Brazilian Artists, Media Personalities,
Advertising, Business and Cultural People were there!

Director/Camera/Editor

VOICE OVER WORK

Paula Gloria is a good friend of mine. We met while doing shows here at Manhattan Neighborhood Network here in New York City. I stumbled into doing some of her shows about 9-11. Her show is entitled "Farther Down the Rabbit Hole".

Her show soon exploded on the Internet and pretty soon got the attention of Howard Stern and his Staff over at Sirius Satellite Radio. After some telephone/e-mail tag they called her in and gave her a few shows. The show was given the title of "TOTAL PENETRATION". There was a publicity campaign for for the show. We did some recording sessions at their Rockefeller Center Studios. The Session was unscripted. I came up with an idea right off the top of my head and the Producers went with it. The final result was a feat of audio genius.

"TOTAL PENETRATION" was extremely popular during its brief run on the Sirius Network.
I don't know why it was never picked up on a permanent basis.

FLASH FILE

TOMOKO "Love Me"
-Music Video-
October 2007

This was TOMOKO'S first music video.
I was 2nd Camera and Editor.
Steven Speliotis was the Director.

click here to view Large QuickTime Video

click here to view FLASH video File

click here to download Large QuickTime Video

MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE
SALUTE to
TOM CRUISE.
The Gala black-tie Salute celebrating Tom's
25 year career in Motion Pictures
was on Tuesday, November 6, 2007
at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Director/Camera/Editor

click here to view FLASH video File

FASHION and BEAUTY
Miss Brazil/U.S.A. 2007

This was shot for Eny Hanson's show "Exotica New York".
Very nice event.
Director/Camera/Editor

click here to view Large QuickTime Video

click here to download Large QuickTime Video

"Rockin' Around the World with Marjorie Andrade"
Highlights from the Brazil Foundation 2007 Event
at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City
for
TVCaras, Brasil
Director/Camera/Editor

click here to view FLASH Video File

"DeWitt Clinton Express"
Bill Murawski for Governor of New York State
October - November 2006

Over the years I've worked in Television Studio Control Room Operations as Director, Technical Director, Audio and Graphics at facilities such as Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) and United Nations Television (UNTV).

click here to download QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

“Exotica New York”
Brazilian Fashions
2003

BACKSTORY:
These are excerpts from my girlfriend's television show entitled "Exotica New York". The program features Brazilian cultural and entertainment events in New York City. The program airs on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

The show was originally shot at MNN's studio, but during the show there was a problem, someone forgot to roll the videotape - as a result the best part of the show - the Brazilian swimsuit models - was not recorded!

Guess who had to come in and re-shoot the show? The swimsuit and jewelry segments were shot in the apartment of the designer, on a high floor of a building overlooking the Westside of Manhattan on a chilly winter’s Sunday afternoon. The original models were not available so a replacement was quickly brought in. The model was a teenager from Brazil by the name of Anna.

What I liked most about that shoot was the light. The windows of her apartment faced west and we were blessed with a beautiful golden afternoon light that even carries over to the encoded video clip. Everything worked perfectly and we got everything shot before we lost the light. My girlfriend and I packed up the gear and were home in time for dinner. Guess who had to cook?

click here to view large QuickTime Video

- My Former Girlfriend, -
Eny Hanson
from
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“Fuel Miser”
ARCA Motor Sports Competition
Pocono Race Track
July 2003

BACKSTORY:
My neighbor and friend Steve owns a company that manufactures a fuel saving device. He organized a huge promotional event. On the weekend of July 25th 2003 we packed up our gear and went to the ARCA Competition at Pocono Speedway. It was hard work but we had a lot of fun. We went everywhere, even into the pits. The racecars were awesome!

click here to view large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

"From the Root to the Fruit"
The Captain and the Bran New Gypsies
2002

BACKSTORY:
I met the "the Captain" while shooting the Ungoverned project. He's a really cool guy and has a hot band called; “The Bran New Gypsies”. Later he contacted me about shooting one of his concerts. My girlfriend and I shot the show. Later, while editing the video, the Captain told me that they had prepared for that one show for 4 years! 4 years for one show in one night! Whew! No pressure there.

click here to view large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

Alisa
2002

She was the first Belly dancer I ever saw perform. She's a nice lady. The world of Belly Dance is fascinating.

click here to download large QuickTime Video

Broadcast Television and News Technical Operations

2006-04-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

I've worked in Broadcast Television News Operations since about 1989. I've worked as an Editor, Cameraman, Field Audio, Satellite Record and Play-out, Transmission Engineer, Master Control Operator, Technical Director, Microwave and Satellite Truck Operator. Before that I worked for a couple of Cable Television Systems as a Master Control Operator and Head-end Technician.

I am also experienced in server based broadcast environments.

December 2004

Here I am working on the construction of Rainbow Television's new state-of-the-art high definition studio and control room.

1994 thru 1996
CBS Network News, New York.
Satellite "Hard News" Record Room Operator.

BROADCAST TELEVISION NEWS

Cameraman, Videotape Editor
and Satellite Transmission Engineer

What can I say about TV News?
"Run-and-Gun. Crash-and-Burn."

1990 - 1995
WNYW Fox 5 News, New York
Videotape Editor

September 1991
"South Africa Now" (PBS)
Cameraman and Editor

The White House, Washington DC
The then President of South Africa, F.W. DeKlerk visited then U.S. President, George Bush to discuss the political situation in South Africa. There were a lot of anti-apartheid protests that day.

click here to view the large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

September 1990
Cable News Network, New York
Camera and Sound

The second verdict of the 'Bensonhurst Trail' was announced. One of the accused killers was found not guilty in the racial murder of Yousef Hawkins. I was a cameraman at the Brooklyn Courthouse on that day. They had to issue us bulletproof vests.

click here to view the large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

September 1990
Sky News, London
Cameraman, Editor
and Satellite Transmission Engineer

An interview at the United Nations with then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, commenting on the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait.

click here to view the large QuickTime Video

September 1990
"South Africa Now" (PBS)
Cameraman and Editor

Under heavy economic sanctions by the world community, the racist South African Government set up a tourist scheme to attract foreign visitors and their money. We exposed them.

click here to view the large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

September 1990
Sky News, London
Cameraman, Editor
and Satellite Transmission Engineer

The United Nations World Children's Summit
and the Gulf Crisis.

click here to view large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

CABLE TELEVISION
MASTER CONTROL
and
HEADEND
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS

1985 - 1987
Brooklyn / Queens Cable Television, New York
Master Control Operator

That's me working on the rebuilding
of the Queens Head end.

1983
Manhattan Cable Television, New York
Transmission Room Operator

1981
Manhattan Cable Television, New York
Transmission Room Operator

Film Production

2006-04-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

RED ONE Camera on the Location-Set

Set Production Assistant

"The Birthday Party"

A Short Film by Véronique N. Doumbé

2008 Ndolo Films

Veronique was kind enough to hire me to work on this

modern-day urban tragedy.

It was a fantastic weekend, except for thatdamned birthday cake.

I was also the first film I've worked on since about 1994!

I finally got the chance to see the RED ONE Camera in action up close.

Sergei Franklin, the Director of Photography

was kind enough to give me an technical tour

and I was able to observe the Data Management process up-close!

Cinematographer Sergei Franklin preparing for a take with the

RED ONE Cameramounted on a Steadicam on location on

Veronique Doumbe's

"The Birthday Party"

The Birthday Party from Veronique Doumbe on Vimeo.

Winner of:

* The Dikalo Award for Best Fiction Short at the 2009 Pan African Film Festival in Cannes (France).

* The Award of Merit in the category Contemporary Issues, Ethics, Religion in the 2009 Accolade Competition.

* The Micro Mini Award at the 2009 Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival.

Veronique N. Doumbe currently serves on the Board of New York Women in Film and Television.

That's me, Victor Taplin on the left, there's Eny Hanson in the center being assisted
with her costume and the Director Veronique Doumbe on the right foreground.

Production Assistant
"LUGGAGE"
A Short Film by Véronique N. Doumbé
2006 Ndolo Films

BACKSTORY:
It was a lazy Saturday Afternoon in the summer of 2005 or 2006. I don't remember which year, everything is becoming a big, fat blur. Eny was bugging me about going on some film shoot she was working on that night. I was not excited. Other so-called "film" projects she had dragged me to in the past were nothing of the sort. They were just delusional fantasies of untrained and disorganized MNN Producers who did not know their asses from a hole in the ground. I had nothing else to do so I went. When we arrived at the Newark Airport location I was pleasantly surprised to see people who actually knew how to execute a motion picture. I pitched right in to assist and I had the excellent fortune to meet the Director Veronique Doumbe and her husband Cinematographer Sergei Franklin. Their kids acted in the film and also shot stills. Very cool people. Very cool film. I had a great time.

Eny Hanson and Rachael Jones
as the Post-9-11 Airport Safety Patrol in
"LUGGAGE"
A Short Film by Véronique N. Doumbé
2006 Ndolo Films

Luggage from Veronique Doumbe on Vimeo.

ABOVE ALL ELSE
I am a Complete Filmmaker.

My film career has been tumultuous,
more battle than art.

For me it began at an Amateur Film Competition in 1978. Soon after I started shooting Super 8mm movies and with each new movie I became more ambitious.

Eventually I went to Film School at New York University and started meeting other Film Students not only from N.Y.U. but also from Pratt Institute, School of Visual Arts and Jersey City State College. We formed a group and began to collectively work on each other’s projects.

We had a lot of adventures during those years.

Here is some of the work from those bygone days.

“Knight of Swords”
(Feature) 1993
Trailer

BACKSTORY:
It all started with this ‘kid’ from Israel; I don’t remember his name. He wrote a film entitled “Knight of Swords” about a Mossad Agent trying to stop an arms shipment to the Middle East on the eve of the first Gulf War.

The ‘kid’ was collaborating with Nick Manning on the project. Nick Manning was the former head of the Film Department at Pratt Institute so my friends and I knew him from our days when we used to hang out there working on our films. When the ‘kid’ got the money from his backers, Nick hired my friends and I to work on the picture.

We worked as the Cinematographer and Camera Operators, Second Unit Director, Sound, Stunt and Fight Choreographers, Pyrotechnics and Weapons handlers, Actors, Grips, Extras and other stuff.

I was the Post-Production Coordinator. My job was to work with the lab making sure the negative was processed and transferred to video properly. I later transferred and synced up the Betacam Video and 1/4 inch Audio Masters and made VHS time code dubs from these.

In 1993, Non-linear Editing for 35mm motion picture films had already arrived however the Producers could not decide on how they wanted to edit the movie. It almost came to blows in the middle of a Soho street one afternoon.

The ‘kid’ had enough money to complete the film, but being a first time Director and Lead on a project that complex, he was too inexperienced to effectively manage the production. This caused problems. Guess who the crew called to rescue the situation?

I spoke to the Producers and suggested solutions on how they could save the project, but they refused to listen to me.

I returned to my friends and gave them the news. We discussed the situation and came to the conclusion that the film would never be completed. My friends were angry because they would have nothing to show for all of their efforts. They wanted a coherent copy of the film for their reel and who could blame them. Since I had all of the video masters, they suggested I come up with a plan. I did.

I went back to Nick and the ‘kid’ and suggested that if we make a trailer and show it to the investors, that they might like it and give them the money to complete the film. They agreed, but there was just enough money in the budget for one hour of online room, editing time!

I spent about 4 days screening all of the VHS time code dubs and making a paper edit.

The day of the edit arrived. Picture, Sound, Music and Titles for the trailer were completed. The entire online edit was done in 59 minutes.

The investors released the money and we finished shooting the film. After that we lost track of the ‘kid’. Manning moved out west shortly thereafter. We never saw the film.

Later we heard a rumor that the film was released under the title of “Orphan of War”. We never saw a finished film or the 'kid' again.

click here to view the large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

“RUN LIKE HELL”
(Feature) 1991
Trailer

BACKSTORY:
This was our film. My friend Griff aka Scott Rhodes, wrote, directed, starred and choreographed all of the stunts and fights. Theo Pingarelli was the Cinematographer. Louis Richardson was Associate Producer handling the logistics. Greg Remoundos was Associate Producer and did the Effects.
Griff’s friend Walter Brennan put up the money. And all of our friends Jim Glen, Glen Rothenberg, the Henkels and our families worked on the movie. We hired the Actresses to play murder victims and the female lead was played an Australian actress by the name of Debra Morrison.

I was the Producer, Editor, Production Sound, Second-Unit Director, 3rd Camera Operator and had a small part in the picture.

The film was about and obsessed Cop hunt a Serial Killer with a demented sense of humor.

We spent about $8,000 dollars to make the 90 minute, 16mm film. It was shot in about 20 days and it took about 2 months to edit and prepare packages for the distributors and the press.

I cut the film using a 6-plate flatbed moviola at Film and Video Arts in New York. After the cut we transferred the work print picture and sync sound to 3/4inch videotape using a videola. Its like a moviola but with a video pickup mounted inside the picture head. We would have preferred to have the transfer done at the lab using a Rank Cinetel Film-to-Tape transfer system with color correction to Betacam SP, but we ran out of money. I still regret that because Theo Pingarelli did a beautiful job of photographing the movie. Griff and I recorded sound effects, foley and music tracks and mixed them down with the picture and sound. We made VHS dubs of the completed film. Griff and Greg designed the press kit and I cut the trailer.

We launched an effective publicity campaign in both print and broadcast media and distributors wanted the film. There was only one problem; they did not want to pay us for the movie. Not one penny!

Though we were tempted, in the end we decided not to give in to their greed. The film never made it to the market.

click here to view the large QuickTime Video

Embedded Flash Video

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“RUN LIKE HELL”
(Feature) 1991
Publicity

Here are the Television Interviews we did for the film.

click here to view large QuickTime Video

Social Life

Despite the fact that I am constantly working and studying and training,
occasionally even I get out.

Here I am with the magical Ilda Santiago, Director of the Rio de Janeiro Film Festival at one of the parties for the MoMA 2009 Rio de Janeiro Film Festival in New York। Thanks to our Hosts, Richard Kandel and Marjorie Andrade.

WOW! Here is a moment from the Cocktail Party on the roof of the MoMA during the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Film Festival। From left to right are Manuela, Lola Magdalena and Malvica from the MoMA Film Department. I'm the good-looking man in the back. Thanks to our Hosts, Richard Kandel and Marjorie Andrade.

That's me with Tom Cruise at the
MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE SALUTE
to TOM CRUISE.
The Gala black-tie Salute celebrating Tom's
25 year career in Motion Pictures
was on Tuesday, November 6, 2007
at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
It was a fantastic evening!
And Tom was very cool.Thank you, Richard Kandel and Marjorie Andrade.

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Here I am with the beautiful Sonia Braga at the private party for
"O homem que engarrafava nuvens
(The Man Who Bottled Clouds)"
at MoMA's Premiere Brazil, 2008 Film Festival.
I love those ciapirinhas!
Thank you, Richard Kandel and Marjorie Andrade.

And here we are again a few nights later at the MoMA cocktail party.
Yes, I am slightly tipsy.
Don't worry, I am of legal drinking age and besides, Sonia didn't seem to object. Thank you, Richard Kandel and Marjorie Andrade.

Here I am with the Beautiful, Powerful,Talented and

Famous Brazilian Executive Film Producer

Vilma Lustosa

at the Premiere Brazil Film Festival at the MoMA, New York in 2008.

She has Produced such films as "If I Were You", If I Were You 2", "Lucia, Lucia.",

"In Therapy", and many many more.

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Here I am at The Miss Brazil/USA Beauty Pageant 2007.
The young Lady holding me is Daisy,
she's from Rio de Janiero.
I LOVE THOSE BRAZILIAN WOMEN!
Thank you, Richard Kandel and Marjorie Andrade.