I am Cassandra and this my blog – a place for me to show my work as a Video producer/editor, reveal any thoughts I have on the industry in London and Sydney and discuss topics of all sorts.
I have had an unwavering passion for creating videos since I first decided on my career in my teenage years. My work experience varies from roles as a producer/editor for broadcast television to working as a full time video editor. I have been involved in video production for over eight years. I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2002 at Sydney University majoring in film studies, gender studies and Social Anthropology. After studying the theory of film at university, I knew I needed to know the practical side of filmmaking if I wanted to follow my dream and make it my career. I then went on to study a Certificate of Television Production at North Sydney Tafe. Here I learnt to work cameras, edit, direct and produce. I learnt lighting, studio controls and sound recording. With this knowledge I progressed to a postgraduate degree in Media Arts and Production at the University of Technology in Sydney, which I completed under an academic scholarship in 2004.
Finishing my education at age 22 with two degrees, I was ready to work and dedicate all my time and effort to making myself a career in television production. Being such a hard industry to break into I decided to begin by volunteering on a variety of Australia’s top productions. I did volunteer work in Australia’s leading news department and leading current Affairs show. I continued to build up my CV by working in the art department at the first Australian MTV Awards and as a production assistant on a top comedy show. Volunteer work got me that foot in the door at a television channel, The Weather Channel, owned by renowned company XYZnetworks. They were looking for a full time production assistant. Following three interviews, I beat hundreds of applicants to the post and got my first full time paid job in television production. I was so happy and I felt like this was my opportunity to shine.
I worked very hard at my job completing my tasks and learning as much as I could from my peers. This paid off as within months, the producer above me left the channel and they asked me to fill in on her shifts until they found someone. Being presented with this opportunity was incredible and I wasn’t going to let it slip. I worked hard to prove myself as a producer and within a few months of starting at the channel, I was promoted to producer and soon also became the main Editor for the channel. I was also in charge of running the edit suites and all asset management.
In 2007 I returned to England where I spent my childhood. I began work in London as a full time editor at a production company that specialised in corporate videos, live events and short film. I left this role to work for myself as a freelance producer/editor, which I undertook for a year before accepting a role at the BBC. It had been a lifelong dream of mine to work at the BBC and so I was very excited to be given this opportunity. I worked as a Researcher creating online content for BBC Online, You Tube and Mobile. This gave me valuable knowledge about multiplatform and insight into online audiences. I then progressed to an Assistant Producer role for BBC World News where I was reversioning and editing long form factual current affairs programs for international broadcast.
After traveling and working across the world for the past four years, I’m now back in Sydney. Production in Sydney is exciting and I want to be a part of it. I’m interested in freelance production and post-production jobs. I’m also interested in full time work at Australian television networks as well as independent production companies. I have experience online/offline editing and producing for BBC World News and multiplatform, producing and editing a 30min daily lifestyle television show for XYZNetworks, corporate videos, charity fundraising videos and television adverts. I’m constantly keeping abreast of new technologies both as a personal interest and for work. I am confident when making my own creative decisions but I also work well under the direction of other team members. My previous roles have provided me with extensive experience in production techniques including the use of a range of video cameras, lighting and audio equipment and post-production packages Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere and Avid. I am also proficient in delivery to tape, and various file formats for web and HD. Stylistically, I focus on the detail. I like to make the image look incredible and I apply a variety of techniques from perfect lighting to edit tricks to achieve this. I am a passionate person with endless imagination. I am always looking to further my skills and this dedication to my career is a large part of my life. I’m inspired by life and the world. I love people. I love to laugh. I value friends and family highly. I’m excited for life and this shines through my personality and through my work.
