Tyler Smith / south Florida water management district

With Mini Colossus Productions, I create 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 as a one-man-band means envisioning a project from start to finish—and executing it. But I’m at my best working together with a creative team. This combination of self-sufficiency and collaborative drive is why the Public Affairs Videographer at SFWMD is the perfect opportunity for me.

The sample videos highlight my work shooting and editing a range of video content. They were shot on a DSLR or cinema camera, but I’ve also used camcorders similar the Sony Z-150 XD. I edit in FCPX on a Mac and, for what it’s worth, use Rode microphones exclusively.

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.

Cold War/Hot Town Museum Exhibit Promo

This video mixes footage from a documentary filmed in the Saugatuck-Douglas area in 1966 with public domain archival footage from the same era to create a dynamic promo for a museum exhibit. Edited to a song with ‘60s rock vibes, it builds to an explosive climax.

My roles: Everything. Concept, footage sourcing, and editing.

Black and White to Color

One of a series of social media promo videos designed to promote a local history center’s mission while bridging the gap between generations. Using high school students asking questions about local history as the backbone of the piece, it relies on precise timing and atmospheric effects.

My roles: Everything except interviewing the students. Concept development, producing, directing, camera op, editing. I also designed the logo animation at the end.

Social Media Real Estate Showcase

Some of the real estate clients request super upbeat videos showcases property highlights that they can use in their social media marketing. The challenge with these videos is covering a property without narration (people don’t generally listen to social media videos) or a lot of text (too slow). So it requires some efficient, dynamic editing.

My roles: Everything pre-, post-, and during production. And it was a hot, sweaty day.