Crystal Smith
Williamsburg,VA
Summary
Artistic Video Editor committed to executing each project with absolute professionalism and client satisfaction in mind. Hardworking and talented individual with 17 years of hands-on experience in various aspects of video production process. Polished in video production, animation and non-linear editing. Flexible hard worker ready to learn and contribute to team success. Adds value to any organization in need of great collaboration, interpersonal and multitasking abilities. Meets tight deadlines.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Editor/Animator
Snow Companies
10.2018 - Current
- Provide leadership as Lead Animator for video department
- Train new Assistant Editors and conducting Adobe training workshops.
- Attended industry conferences and workshops, such as NAB, to stay current on emerging trends in video editing technology and techniques.
- Review raw footage thoroughly for selection of best takes, streamlining edits significantly.
- Design custom transitions, titles and lower thirds as per client's requirements adding depth and detail.
- Perform color grading tasks to enhance overall aesthetic appeal of finished videos.
- Worked closely with clients to capture their vision, resulting in high levels of satisfaction and repeat business.
- Troubleshot technical issues promptly, minimizing downtime during post-production processes.
- Contribute creative input during pre-production stages for cohesive storytelling throughout entire project lifecycle.
- Implemented new workflow strategies to increase productivity within editing team.
- Develop storyboards and shot lists to plan out shots and sequence for editing.
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Audition, etc), DaVinci Resolve, and more.
- Offering design and storytelling advice to clients for optimal results
- Won Silver Telly Award for Editing in 2020 (Epclusa project).
Senior Editor/Graphic Designer/Video Producer
University of Maryland
09.2016 - 09.2018
- Edited and produced long-form and short form creative content for University of Maryland Athletics in game production and marketing department.
- Led and managed multiple projects from conceptual stage through to launch.
- Created content to aired across various media platforms (TV, school website, social media, and radio)
- Collaborated with producer and team managers to develop content for the University's social media platforms.
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Adobe Creative Suite (main editing and graphics platform), DaVinci Resolve, Maxon Cinema 4D, and more.
Preditor
National Geographic
05.2015 - 01.2017
- Editing long-form content for National Geographic networks
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, meeting strict deadlines while maintaining high-quality results.
- Creating educational and corporate videos for various campaigns
- Enhanced video quality by applying color correction, grading, and special effects techniques.
- Developed best practice content editing techniques to enhance content performance across social platforms and extend content across traditional platforms.
- Evaluated and selected scenes for pacing, entertainment value, and continuity, trim shots and edit content.
- Adapted quickly to changes in project scope or direction by revising edit decisions based on updated creative briefs or client feedback.
- Created compelling trailers and promotional materials to showcase projects and attract new clients.
- Created titles, captions, graphics and templates in After Effects to give edits additional visual flare.
- Participated in creative brainstorms for new content and series, social media campaigns and sponsorship initiatives.
- Delivered polished presentations of completed work during client reviews, explaining editorial choices and addressing any concerns or suggestions.
- Delivered edits with multiple camera angle choices, titles, graphics, audio, and special effects.
- Organized and worked with raw footage from multiple cameras and sources.
- Worked tight deadlines with team or independently and made quick creative editing decisions to maintain high quality of work.
- Improved client satisfaction by delivering visually engaging content tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
- Delivered edits on time for reviews and final delivery.
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Adobe Creative Suite, Avid Media Composer, Final Cut X, DaVinci Resolve, Maxon Cinema 4D, and more.
Preditor/Graphic Designer
Creative Circle
06.2016 - 09.2016
- Collaborated closely with multiple clients to understand their vision and produce compelling visual narratives.
- Mastered advanced color grading techniques to enhance visual aesthetics of edited videos.
- Crafted 1-10 minute corporate videos from raw unscripted interview footage.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by delivering high-quality video edits within tight deadlines.
- Implemented creative solutions to address specific client needs, resulting in unique and engaging content.
- Maintained comprehensive knowledge of various video formats, codecs, and compression techniques for optimal output quality.
- Developed strong relationships with production teams, fostering effective communication and collaboration throughout editing process.
- Optimized audio levels for consistency throughout finished videos, improving viewer experience.
- Designed custom motion graphics elements to complement video content and reinforce branding.
- Handled complex technical issues swiftly and effectively when encountered during editing processes.
- Created and reformatted content across various social media and digital platforms.
- Delivered edits with multiple camera angle choices, titles, graphics, audio, and special effects.
- Saw concepts through to completion by working to develop final edits, color and other elements in post-production process.
- Utilized various editing software programs to assemble, edit and process digital video.
Video Editor/Graphic Designer- International News
Voice of America
01.2016 - 08.2016
- Editing short-form scripted news packages and 2-camera interview shows
- Editing content in multiple languages
- Working closely with producers fluent in target languages
- Delivered edits on time for reviews and final delivery.
- Organized and worked with raw footage from multiple cameras and sources.
- Enhanced video quality by applying color correction, grading, and special effects techniques.
- Edited together video, audio still imagery and motion graphics for creative and informational multimedia projects.
- Worked tight deadlines with team or independently and made quick creative editing decisions to maintain high quality of work.
- Saw concepts through to completion by working to develop final edits, color and other elements in post-production process.
- Streamlined the editing process for faster turnaround times by utilizing advanced software tools.
- Evaluated and selected scenes for pacing, entertainment value, and continuity, trim shots and edit content.
- Created compelling trailers and promotional materials to showcase projects and attract new clients.
- Created titles, captions, graphics and templates in After Effects to give edits additional visual flare.
- Developed storyboards and shot lists to plan out shots and sequence for editing.
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Avid Media Composer, Photoshop, and After Effects.
Video Editor/Graphic Designer
Discovery Channel
10.2015 - 06.2016
- Editing and producing long-form reality series content for international networks
- Delivered edits on time for reviews and final delivery.
- Enhanced video quality by applying color correction, grading, and special effects techniques.
- Maintained organized digital archives of raw footage, final edits, and other assets for easy access and retrieval.
- Worked tight deadlines with team or independently and made quick creative editing decisions to maintain high quality of work.
- Created and reformatted content across various social media and digital platforms.
- Worked with graphic templates and seamlessly inserted into videos.
- Adapted quickly to changes in project scope or direction by revising edit decisions based on updated creative briefs or client feedback.
- Managing all aspects of content archiving and new editor orientation.
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Avid Media Composer, After Effects, and Photoshop.
Junior Editor
Half Yard Productions
09.2014 - 05.2015
- Assisting senior editors in editing unscripted reality shows such as The Last Alaskans, American Diggers, Junkyard Empire, plus more.
- Supported producers in pre-production planning, ensuring smooth execution of video shoots and post-production workloads.
- Optimized storage management systems for easy access to media assets, enabling smoother project workflow.
- Collaborated with production team members for efficient workflow and timely project completion.
- Edited feature-length films and television shows to meet desired quality and style.
- Developed storyboards and shot lists to plan out shots and sequence for editing.
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Avid Media Composer, and Avid Symphony.
Creative Services Preditor
CNN
05.2014 - 08.2014
- Edited together video, audio, photos, and motion graphics for short for news packages, long-form features, and live tv shows
- Delivered edits on time for reviews and final delivery.
- Evaluated and selected scenes for pacing, entertainment value, and continuity, trim shots and edit content.
- Maintained organized digital archives of raw footage, final edits, and other assets for easy access and retrieval.
- Understood producer's artistic vision and maintained alignment with vision throughout editing process.
- Adapted quickly to changes in project scope or direction by revising edit decisions based on updated creative briefs or client feedback.
- Compressed, converted and uploaded video files for distribution and broadcast.
- Creating content for various CNN shows
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Final Cut Pro, Motion, and other tools.
Promo/Lead Content Editor
ESPN
07.2007 - 05.2014
- Editing and producing creative content, including promos, montages, highlights, and more
- Delivered edits on time for reviews and final delivery.
- Organized and worked with raw footage from multiple cameras and sources.
- Enhanced video quality by applying color correction, grading, and special effects techniques.
- Increased viewer engagement through skillful use of pacing, rhythm, and transitions in video edits.
- Created short-form videos, animated gifs and motion graphics for social media posts.
- Contributed new ideas and looked for ways to improve content editing and processes.
- Optimized file formats and compression settings for various distribution channels, maximizing both quality and efficiency.
- Adapted quickly to changes in project scope or direction by revising edit decisions based on updated creative briefs or client feedback.
- Created compelling trailers and promotional materials to promote games.
- Contributed to brainstorming sessions for concept development, offering insight into effective editing techniques that support storytelling goals.
- Mentored junior editors on best practices in editing software usage, workflow management, and troubleshooting technical issues.
- Worked as a colorists and sound artists on various projects.
- Generated creative ideas to improve look and feel of projects.
- Managing the editing department’s creative content and graphic design
- Nominated for an Emmy in 2010.
- Software utilized for this role are as follows: Quantel, Adobe After Effects, and Photoshop.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Broadcast Journalism
State University of New York College At Brockport
Brockport, NY05.2007
Skills
- Video Editing and Graphic Design Software
- Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, etc)
- Avid Media Composer
- DaVinci Resolve
- Maxon Cinema 4D
- Final Cut Pro
- Quantel
- Adobe Audition
- Sound design
- Studio audio boards
- Project Management
- Field production
- Keen eye for detail
- Video (various Cameras)
- Color Correction
- Interviewing skills
- Content Curation
- Staff Recruiting
- Relationship Building
- Troubleshooting
- Content Development
- Quality Control
Affiliations
- Volunteer at local soup kitchen
- musician
- sing in church choir
- dog lover
Accomplishments
- Silver Telly award winner
- Emmy Nominee
Timeline
Senior Editor/Animator
Snow Companies
10.2018 - Current
Senior Editor/Graphic Designer/Video Producer
University of Maryland
09.2016 - 09.2018
Preditor/Graphic Designer
Creative Circle
06.2016 - 09.2016
Video Editor/Graphic Designer- International News
Voice of America
01.2016 - 08.2016
Video Editor/Graphic Designer
Discovery Channel
10.2015 - 06.2016
Preditor
National Geographic
05.2015 - 01.2017
Junior Editor
Half Yard Productions
09.2014 - 05.2015
Creative Services Preditor
CNN
05.2014 - 08.2014
Promo/Lead Content Editor
ESPN
07.2007 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Broadcast Journalism
State University of New York College At Brockport
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