Experience

Stagehand I.A.T.S.E. Local 16                                                  2001 – PRESENT

Over the past 15 years I have worked across many departments with I.A.T.S.E. 16, I started out in lighting and carpentry, mostly working on movie construction and stage carpentry and tent production lighting. A back injury kept me out of work for over a year and when I returned I started working mostly in video as a break out operator and eventually the camera department and now I am mainly a high-end camera operator. As all stagehand I also am well versed in Rigging, Lighting, Audio, Computers, Scenic Construction, Grip and All around Stagehand.

Co Founder, President – S.F. Skateboarding Association         2006 -20014

As an avid skateboarder I saw a need in San Francisco for skate parks for kids. I started a non-profit called the San Francisco Skateboarding Association, an organization started to give kids a voice at city hall and be represented as a community. I established a leadership group and held meeting with the skater kids to advocate for skate parks in SF. Our membership reached 1500 worldwide and our efforts resulted in the allocation of over 4,000,000.00 dollars from various public and private donors including the Tony Hawk Foundation, and the creation of four skate parks; Potrero Del Sol, Soma West, Waller St, Balboa, and the remodeling of Hilltop park. We also held skate events and video premiers to raise awareness and money. For eight years I represented the skater youth and trained some of the younger guys to take over and continue our efforts. I cannot express how much joy I have for the kids who helped us achieve these goals, seeing them a little older and skating in their park is a blessing to me.

Technical Director – Lorraine Hansberry Theatre                      2000 season

I was in charge of all things technical including but not limited to set construction, coordination, hiring technicians, running technical rehearsals, overseeing scenic budget. Warehouse/transportation coordination. Kind of everything you do to jeep a small theatre running in S.F.

Cameraman/ Studio Technician, Beyond Pix                        2000 – 2001

While I worked at Beyond Pix my duties included satellite transmission, studio camera, studio lighting, location broadcasting, sports and weather camera work, studio installation and all the small things you do to keep a mom and pop production company going.

Stars, the Agency – Talent Agent V.O. Dept.                           1999 – 2000

When I first transplanted to the Bay Area I worked as a voice over agent at the biggest agency in San Francisco. I was in charge of the entire voice over department including talent auditions, scheduling, talent procurement, and booking. While at Stars I was the first agent to send our auditions on CD. yes it was that long ago.

Sandi Schnarr Talent – Talent Agent –V.O. Dept.                     1997 – 1999

Voice over agent / booth director in charge of talent auditions, scheduling, booking. We recorded auditions on reel-to-reel and dubbed to cassette. My first 40 hr a week directing job.

Scenic Highlights – Scenic Carpenter/ Painter /Fabricator     1991 – 1996

I did it all here, construction, scenic painting, sculpture, fiberglass fabricator, welding. Worked on various t.v. shows, game shows and talk shows. During my stint at S.H., I had the chance to work at Disney creating Roger Rabbits Cartoon Spin.

Founder ACME Theatre Company                                          1988 – 1989

Just out of college some friends and I started a theatre company focusing on writing political satire and socially conscience farce. We wrote three plays over two years and had a blast performing our own work In the Los Angeles Area.

Technical Director – Road Theatre Company.                        1993 – 94 seasons

While with the Road Theatre Company I worked as the resident Technical Director, which meant building all scenery and painting all sets, coordinating and hiring designers, schedule production season. We had two locations that were not traditional theatres, I designed the stage space, lighting grid, back stage and seating area, all of these plans had to be approved by the city of Los Angeles.

College Jobs – Film technician/ music video’s                        1982 – 1990

College work to pay the rent, jobs included many music videos, commercials, religious shows, anything to get through college! My first film was 1982 as a production assistant at American Film Institute. Duties included boom operator, set construction, grip, food runner, camera assistant, dolly operator and background extra.

Education

B.A. Technical Direction, Scenic Design, Stage Direction / minor – Art History. CSU. Northridge         1982 -1991

Studied under the direction of IATSE local 17 Journeyman Jerry Abbitt,(35 year member). While at CSUN theatre I studied Scenic design, painting, construction, technical drafting, CAD, lighting design and technical direction. Under Jerry’s guidance I designed set/lights for over 15 college productions and directed 4 shows. I also worked as the student facilities manager in charge of running the main stage for all outside events including symphonies, guest lectures and dance performances. I was the guy with all the keys.