James Chandler
Chatham,IL
Summary
Detail-oriented audiovisual professional with approximately 40 years of experience. Skilled in host of functions, including installation and testing of cabling, equipment and audiovisual systems.
Routinely starts on projects only with other personnel's ideas and create a completed and professional product.
Extensive work with photography, graphics, audio and video production including recording and editing.
Collaborative Audiovisual Technician aiming to fulfill an opportunity where background in troubleshooting and project creation is aptly utilized. Offering a strong background in communicating with staff to foster loyalty and a team atmosphere..
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Graphic Arts Designer Advanced
Illinois State Police Academy - AV Section
Springfield, IL
09.2023 - Current
- Tend to administrative duties such as tracking progress of the Audiovisual Section staff at the Academy and submitting to supervisors as requested.
- Schedule meetings and coordinate personnel for future training and classes at the Academy where audiovisual equipment will be utilized.
- Coordinate, produce and publicize multimedia productions at the ISP Academy and throughout the Illinois State Police agency.
- Coordinate multimedia for classes and special events at the Academy.
- Assign and oversee projects both locally and around the state with staff in the AV section of the Academy.
- Coordinate with personnel at the Director's Office to ensure photos, video and live streaming are conducted with no interruptions during ceremonies and special events both locally and in various locations throughout the state of Illinois.
- Coordinate with personnel at the Department of Internal Investigations and the Director's Office to edit and redact graphic video. In many cases the videos are of shootings and other violent situations.
- Developed multimedia training materials to enhance instructor effectiveness.
- Utilize Graphic arts programs that include Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe PhotoShop, Audacity, Adobe Audition, Exact Audio Copy, DVD Shrink, Handbrake, Make MKV, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Equipment utilized: High speed Xerox color printers, scanners, large size laminators for signs and banners, Canon, Nikon and Olympus DSLR cameras as well as lenses, full production HD JVC video cameras, Blue Yeti microphones for audio recording, Unmanned Aerial System (aka drone - licensed and maintained).
- Use drone to record training and events at the Academy for use in completed videos and programs as well as curriculum materials.
- Assist ISP and other state agencies to produce training and promotional materials efficiently and on time. Shoot videos, edit, record audio.
- Use multimedia equipment and software to create cadet/recruit curriculum and training.
- Create graphic illustrations, cartoons, diagrams, charts and graphs for training manual covers, charts, posters as well as signs.
- Travel to various locations to coordinate audio visual support for special events, funerals, and presentations where graphic multimedia and photographic equipment are needed. I make adjustments and repairs when required. Perform photography when requested.
- Serve as the contact between the Academy, state, local and county agencies when it comes to assisting with audio visual equipment and graphic arts. One example is officer involved shooting incidents.
- Recommend updates to state-of-the art equipment such as editing workstations, cameras, and audio visual software for various state and local agencies.
- Recommend audio visual equipment and software upgrades for required job duties at the ISP Academy. I recently upgraded cameras at the Academy and added two additional cameras just for interviews. Lights and specialized lenses were also added to enhance the quality of recorded interviews.
- Create bid specifications, requisitions and submits purchase orders for audio-visual equipment, such as video monitors, professional video and still cameras, etc. for classroom use and presentations.
- Train personnel in the Illinois State Police in the use of equipment at the Academy and other locations around the state to make sure equipment is used properly, so it does not get damaged, and results are on a professional level.
- Contact technical personnel to fix hardware and software issues to produce the best results when the repairs fall under warranty or are proprietary software.
- Maintain State of Illinois equipment inventory as well as equipment borrowed from other agencies along with paperwork and records.
- Ensures the Audio-Visual section has the necessary electronic equipment and multimedia supplies for current projects and future projects.
- Over the last eighteen years I have worked on emergency last minute projects such as officer involved shootings, in which videos have to be edited and returned quickly with absolute accuracy. The videos may be seen by the family, Governor, Director of the Illinois State Police, on worldwide media or used in court.
Audio Visual Technician II
Illinois State Police - ISP Academy AV Section
Springfield, IL
01.2006 - 09.2023
- Ensure multimedia is working for classes and special events at the ISP Academy.
- Assist instructors in the use of audiovisual equipment in classrooms at the ISP Academy and troubleshoot during system malfunctions.
- Utilize various computer platforms and graphic arts programs.
- Graphic arts programs include Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe PhotoShop, Audacity, Adobe Audition, Exact Audio Copy, DVD Shrink, Handbrake, Make MKV, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Equipment utilized: High speed Xerox color printers, scanners, large size laminators for signs and banners, Canon, Nikon and Olympus DSLR cameras, full production HD JVC video cameras, Blue Yeti microphones for audio recording, Unmanned Aerial System (aka drone - licensed and maintained).
- Use drone to record training and events at the Academy for use in completed videos and programs as well as curriculum materials.
- Use multimedia equipment and software to create cadet/recruit curriculum and training. Materials such as squad sheets, profile books, training manuals and other materials for daily use by class coordinators, counselors, supervisors and instructors.
- Create graphic illustrations, cartoons, diagrams, charts and graphs for training manual covers, charts, posters as well as emergency and standard use signs.
- Serve as the contact between the Academy, state, local and county agencies when it comes to assisting with audio visual equipment and graphic arts.
- Utilize internet and website cloud storage for distribution of images, photos, audio and videos.
- Ensures the Audio-Visual section has the necessary electronic equipment and multimedia supplies for current projects and future projects.
- Photograph cadets, recruits and sworn officers during training at the Academy.
Office Associate
IL State Police - Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program
Springfield, IL
07.1999 - 12.2005
- Received incoming phone calls from licensed firearms dealers seeking approval for transfer of firearms.
- Completed administrative tasks such as entering dealer's Federal Firearms License (FFL) number and purchaser's Firearm Owners' Identification (FOID) number into the database which either approved or denied transfers of firearms.
- Advised licensed firearms dealer of approval or denial number.
- Responsible for contacting licensed firearms dealers when a response was not available within a two-minute time frame and advised them of the approval or denial of the firearm transfer request.
- Accessed the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) to obtain disposition information on individuals that may have prohibited information in their criminal history file.
- Reviewed dispositions necessary to provide approval or denial for the transfer of the firearm(s), and maintained the FFB screen at 10% or less of the inquiries for that day.
- Contacted various police departments to obtain validity of warrants, orders of protection, etc., necessary for the determination of approval or denial of the firearm transaction.
- Assisted the FOID program by reviewing FOID applications/cards for completeness and accuracy.
- Queried FOCUS program in order to obtain firearm transfer inquiry requested from state and federal law enforcement agencies within two hours of receiving the request.
- Worked with both computer terminals connected to a mainframe as well as a Windows based computer system.
Sales Associate - Part Time
Suncoast Motion Picture Company
Springfield, IL
11.1994 - 05.2001
- Used knowledge of extensive video inventory to provide service to customers wanting to purchase VHS, Laserdiscs and DVD movies.
- Used knowledge of electronics to replace and program a technically advanced register.
- Used knowledge of electronics to update and maintain various audio visual equipment in the store.
- Sales, returns and pre-ordered transactions.
- Used knowledge of artistic composition to create window displays.
- Used microfiche equipment to research movie titles for special order.
- Stocked shelves with movies by genre and alphabetical within the section.
Office Associate
IL Dept Of Public Aid - Provider Participation
Springfield, IL
10.1996 - 06.1999
- Performed complex confidential administrative duties, employed specially acquired skills with knowledge instrumental in the processing, review and workups of enrollment applications for new providers and updates for Long Term Care (LTC) providers as well as hospitals.
- Contacted numerous physicians and LTC facilities who have made inquiries to update information to ensure payment is not interrupted.
- Determined and applied appropriate Provider Database action for providers reported on a Provider Incomplete Report with error codes.
- Identified and suggested enhancements that would expedite duties of the position or unit, such as identify possible system problems, identified procedures that would enable the work flow to run smoother; and refer any problems to supervisor with explanation of the problem.
Office Assistant
Illinois Dept Of Public Aid - Medicare Unit
Springfield, IL
06.1990 - 10.1996
- Responsible for controlling the flow of medical claims and system reports in and out of the unit.
- Logged, sorted and routed claims batches to operators in a timely manner.
- Compiled statistics, reports production and inventory information relative to medicare processing.
- Compiled prescreening information accurately and entered into Supercalc Inventory report to executive supervisor and section manager.
- Prepared and routed medical claims to providers.
- Sorted and prepared vendor return claims for mailing to providers.
- Performs terminal inquiries into the Provider database and Procedure Diagnosis database to verify information.
Office Clerk
Illinois Dept Of Public Aid - Claims Processing
Springfield, IL
11.1988 - 03.1990
- Responsible for processing and distribution of various reports along with listings for several units within the MMIS system.
- Reports are completed and distributed upon date of receipt.
- Responsible for retrieving and processing of adjudicated MMIS claims for release to the Comptroller's Office for payment to the provider in a timely manner with minimal number of errors. Pulls and recaps claims by document control number within voucher order for the computer listing.
- Collated documents into mini schedules and boxed for release to the Comptroller's Office.
- Used microfilm and microfiche equipment to retrieve older documents.
Education
No Degree - Business Education
Richland Community College
Decatur, ILAssociate of Arts - Digital Media Design
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL05-2019
No Degree - Electronic Engineering Technology
ITT Technical Institute - Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN06-1987
Certificate For Vocational Electronics (900 Hours) - Electronics Technology
Decatur Area Vocational
Decatur, IL06-1985
Skills
- Provide instruction as Graphic Arts Designer to audio visual staff to make sure all phases of AV projects are completed on time
- Use production video cameras
- Photography - DSLR cameras
- Green screen photography and video work
- Drone Licensed - (FFA Part 107B license) to video record special events to be used in larger video projects
- Audio/Video and Photo editing - Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Audition
- Train staff members in the use of AV equipment
- Coordinate multimedia AV equipment for classes and special events
- Use graphic art equipment and software such as scanners, Photoshop, high speed color printers and laminators to create printed materials like booklets, forms, etc, for use in cadet/recruit training as well as for promotion of the Illinois State Police
- Take verbal or written instructions and create color graphic designs or videos to deliver a final product on-time
- Able to use both Apple Macintosh and Windows personal computers
- Troubleshoot audio and video equipment as well as computers
Accomplishments
- A Director of Photography for the movie F'D: TALES FROM END TIMES.
- Recently won an award for the Best Trailer at the 2024 Purgatory Film Festival for the film F'D: TALES FROM END TIMES.
- Partnered on the Ash Hamilton podcast Night Terrors for two years. COVID changed that and the podcast came back with a new format.
- Conducted multiple interviews with several cast and crew of a movie that was released on Blu-ray in Germany. A ten thousand word booklet to be used in the Blu-ray release was the result.
- The booklet was submitted and edited down by the producers and included in the final product.
- Contributed an audio commentary track to the release as well. Since then I have recorded four more Blu-ray commentaries, five total. Two in Germany and three in the United States.
Additional Information
- Recently took two weeks off to be a director of photography with a movie that was shot locally.
- Learned how to shoot video with a Black Magic 4K cinema camera.
- Used several camera rigs for the Black Magic camera and shot in traditional tripod shots as well as run 'n gun situations.
- Worked with professional actor, Robert Lasardo on this film shoot.
- Gained knowledge about how cinema cameras are used and how to work in a collaborative film project.
- Able to use what I had learned from this experience and have been able to apply it to my daily work.
Timeline
Graphic Arts Designer Advanced
Illinois State Police Academy - AV Section
09.2023 - Current
Audio Visual Technician II
Illinois State Police - ISP Academy AV Section
01.2006 - 09.2023
Office Associate
IL State Police - Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program
07.1999 - 12.2005
Office Associate
IL Dept Of Public Aid - Provider Participation
10.1996 - 06.1999
Sales Associate - Part Time
Suncoast Motion Picture Company
11.1994 - 05.2001
Office Assistant
Illinois Dept Of Public Aid - Medicare Unit
06.1990 - 10.1996
Office Clerk
Illinois Dept Of Public Aid - Claims Processing
11.1988 - 03.1990
Associate of Arts - Digital Media Design
Lincoln Land Community College
No Degree - Electronic Engineering Technology
ITT Technical Institute - Indianapolis
Certificate For Vocational Electronics (900 Hours) - Electronics Technology
Decatur Area Vocational
No Degree - Business Education
Richland Community College
Hobbies
- Collect and loan 35mm movie trailers, digitized radio spots and 16mm TV spots to home video companies since 1993.
- Materials have been loaned for more than three hundred home video releases. This sometimes is the only way these items are able to be added to DVD, Blu-ray or 4K UHD discs.
- In the past few years, I have been restoring TV spots and trailers. Several have been used on home video releases where good copies of the originals are no longer available.
- Created several movie themed music videos that have been posted with some of my trailer and TV spot restorations on YouTube.