Tyler Smith / KCTS

Mini Colossus Productions creates a range of visual content—and a lot of it relies on skills I developed as a photojournalist. The controlled setting of a studio? That’s cool. But I’m in my element running around, camera in hand, finding the best angles and moments to tell a story. Working most often as a one-man-band requires the ability to envision a project from start to finish—and execute it.

I have a lot to learn. And while none of the videos below are strictly pieces of journalism, I hope they showcase the skills necessary to create great video journalism. The foundation is there. I just need a launchpad and a little bit of fuel to take off. That’s why the Emerging Journalist Fellowship at KCTS is the perfect opportunity for me.

Included underneath the videos is a two-part feature story written for YouNameItSports Magazine.

The Youth Corps of America

This short promo/announcement video takes the viewer into the boxing gym with The Youth Corps of America.

My roles: Everything. Producer, shooter, editor.

Keeping an Eye on History

This piece was commissioned by the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center as part of the Keeping An Eye on History art exhibition. It played in the gallery, alongside the art, and provided deeper insight into specific artworks, presented opinions on local art, and reinforced the History Center’s mission. This video combines interviews with B-roll shot in the gallery and throughout the community. It also features a segment on the restoration of an impressive Carl Hoerman oil painting.

My roles: Everything except acting as the interviewer. Created the concept. Producer, director, shooter, editor. Completed on a compressed timeframe—two weeks from start to exhibition opening. Even built a slider for certain shots and a video looping computer for the exhibition.

Profile: Chris Zawila

A two-minute profile on Chris Zawila, the 28 year-old General Manager of a convenience store. He works a lot. Ninety-five hours a week. At least.

My roles: Everything pre-, post-, and during production including interviewing.

St. Luke's Home - Energized Elders Program

This piece reports on an exercise and wellness program created by St. Luke’s Home from a grant provided by the Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation. Combines interviews with St. Luke’s executive director, the class teacher, and the “elders” themselves with B-roll of the program in action.

My roles: Everything except acting as the interviewer. Producer, director, shooter, editor.

TCFF Line Wranglers

I bundled my equipment up to Traverse City, Michigan for a couple days shooting for the Traverse City Film Festival. This short piece on the festival’s “line wranglers” was filmed while teamed up with a field producer.

My roles: Camera/audio operator.

Star of Saugatuck

Producing this promotional piece for a boat tour company meant filming on the boat and grabbing exterior shots from small outboard-powered barge. It was a little choppy on Lake Michigan, but luckily I had a good barge pilot. There is no sound on this video—it was displayed in the storefront window to entice foot traffic.

My roles: Everything. Producer, shooter, editor.

As a bonus, I’ve also included a two-part feature story I wrote for YouNameItSports Magazine waaaay back in 2007. While these pieces aren’t indicative of my current writing, they are evidence of my background in journalism and work with a print publication. I also wrote a lot of photo captions and match/meet recaps.

Death of the Three Sport Athlete (part one)

death of the three sport athlete (part two)