Joe David Garza
San Antonio,TX
Summary
I am writing to express interest in the Director, Video Creative role at USAA. With extensive experience in leading video creative development and shoots, optimizing workflows, and driving exceptional results, I believe I am well-suited to contribute to the success of this team.
In my current role at USAA, I have had the opportunity to lead the video creative development and shoots for notable campaigns such as the AEP campaign, Memorial Day ITM content, Veterans Day and NFL STS content. Despite challenges such as ever-changing creative targets and limited budgets, I successfully led my peers in delivering videos that were not only on-time but also on-brand. These experiences have honed my ability to adapt to dynamic environments and lead teams towards successful outcomes.
My peers and leaders describe me as a "jack of all trades", "embracing change", and an "expert" in my field. I take pride in my ability to build strong relationships and foster team morale. In a fast-paced and challenging year, I have consistently brought a positive and contagious attitude to the table, ensuring that projects are delivered successfully despite tight deadlines and limited resources.
I am driven by a passion for excellence and always strive to exceed expectations. I am known for my tenacity in problem-solving and bringing innovative solutions to the table. By taking ownership of my work and consistently delivering outstanding results, I have established myself as a subject matter expert and a trusted go-to for team building and morale.
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills, experience, and enthusiasm to this new role. I am confident that my expertise in video creative development, leadership, and workflow optimization will make me a valuable asset to your team. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your organization's success.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Multimedia Specialist
USAA
01.2017 - Current
- Accomplishments: Led video creative development and shoots for AEP campaign, Memorial Day ITM content, and NFL STS content. Successfully delivered videos on-time and on-budget despite challenges.
- Transformation: Transformed the way social videos are shot, leading to increased performance and implementing a new workflow for the team. Optimized the ITM workflow, outperforming last year's engagement.
- Leadership: Described as a "jack of all trades", "embracing change", and an "expert" by peers and leaders. Trusted go-to for team building and morale. Positive and contagious attitude in challenging projects.
- Excellence: Takes ownership and strives for excellence, always offering solutions. Exceeded expectations with tenacity.
- Developed a creative concept and video script for a comprehensive video aimed at educating and informing AEP prospects about the benefits and options available during annual enrollment.
- Directed and produced a polished AEP video that exceeded client expectations and received positive feedback from USAA leadership.
- Developed moving and respectful ITM videos that honored the sacrifices of military personnel and their families for Memorial Day social media initiatives.
- Collaborated closely with USAA HR brand partners to identify key messaging visuals for photo and video content. Directed both Photo and Video potions.
- Developed a creative and engaging concept for a video to promote My Cause My Cleats featuring Hayden Hurst Family Foundation and Face the Fight.
- National TV Spot cinematographer who successfully executed capturing quality shots, showcasing technical expertise and creative thinking.
- Skillfully captured the essence of multiple commercial spots for the 2023 army navy game national campaign commercials.
- As a pivotal collaborator in the direction and creative advisory of the USAA Veterans Day videos, I played an instrumental role in bringing forth a truly impactful and emotionally resonant series. Leveraging my creative expertise. Through my guidance and collaborative spirit, I ensured that each video captured the essence of their sacrifices, inspiring deep admiration and gratitude in viewers.
- As the director and co-creator of three impactful Snapchat advertisements for USAA, I successfully harnessed the power of this platform to captivate and engage our target audience. Through my creative vision and collaborative approach, I played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and developing these ad campaigns, ensuring they resonated with viewers on a profound level. By carefully crafting compelling visual narratives and leveraging cutting-edge techniques by filming the spots vertically. Recognizing the unique nature of Snapchat's vertical format and its prevalence among its users, I saw an opportunity to create a more immersive and engaging experience for viewers. By choosing to film vertically, I tapped into the natural behavior of users who hold their phones in this orientation, ensuring that our advertisements seamlessly integrated into their Snapchat feed.
- Developed video production approaches within a virtual environment in response to COVID-19. These solutions include remote video monitoring, conferencing and remote camera control.
- Acted as Co-Director of photography for USAA marketing campaign "Too Exclusive". This was a virtual remote video production abiding by USAA COVID-19 protocols.
- Acted as cinematographer for USAA marketing campaign "Eligibility 2.0" in Austin, Texas abiding by USAA COVID-19 protocols.
- Acted as cinematographer for USAA marketing campaign "Currently Serving" in Austin, Texas abiding by USAA COVID-19 protocols.
- Acted as cinematographer for USAA marketing campaign "Eligibility" in Miami, Florida abiding by USAA COVID-19 protocols.
- Consistently met tight deadlines by efficiently prioritizing tasks and managing resources effectively.
- Exceeded Expectations in 2023.
Creative Lead
Kalamazoo Films, LLC
01.2002 - 01.2017
- Lead creative, editor and director across all projects
- Responsible for leading all aspects of a production from Pre-Post Production
- Strict guideline and deadline retention
- Manage script development, editing, writing and producing
- Including 5 network broadcast shows
- (100+ episodes)
- Manages technical aspects such as camera and editing equipment, audio, lighting and production logistics and technical advancements
- Managed budgets, equipment, as well as potential video production acquisitions
- Knowledge of social media integration into video platforms.
Senior Production, Creative Capture & Editing
First Take Media
01.2010 - 03.2014
- Hired under contract as Senior Production, Creative & Editing Supervisor for a network world adventure television series
- Directed Pre-Post including initial concept, field production, creative, talent, writing and editing
- Coordinate all production including camera, story design, graphic elements, sound and lighting to team members
- Coordinated cross promotions with social media and live twitter feeds of featured talent during broadcast
- Produced, shot and edit numerous sponsor endorsed segments for both viral and broadcasted promotions
- Managed budgets, equipment, as well as potential video production acquisitions
- Maintained inventory of all equipment and its disposition.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Radio/Television/Film
School of Performing Arts, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Kingsville, TXSkills
- Working knowledge of video production software (Adobe Suite/Final Cut Pro/Avid)
- 10 years of World Travel and Production experience
- More than 20 years of experience in producing media
- Excellent communication both written and spoken with interpersonal skills
- Expert in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
- Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods
- Self-directed, detail oriented and a problem solver with a desire to contribute to a uniquely creative environment
- Expert video camera operation, lighting, and scripting experience
- Experience consulting in a corporate environment
- Excellent background and driving record
- 1x Emmy Award Winner
- 2x Emmy Nominee
- 5x Telly Award Winner
- Digital illustration
- Visual storytelling
- Video Editing
- Creative Direction
Accomplishments
Exceeded Expectations in 2023
Filmography
- Cops: South Padre (2007) (TruTV) (TV) (Camera/Field Producer)
- American Idol Season 6 (San Antonio) -(2007) (TV) (FOX) (Field Producer)
- Have A Nice Day: A Veterans Story of PTSD (2009) (Doc) (Camera/Edit/Director)
- Uncaged w UFC Champion Matt Hughes (2013-2016) (48 Episodes) (Camera/Producer/Edit/Writer)
- Arctic Cat National Spot (2013) (Corporate) (Camera/Edit)
- VP Fuels (2013) (National Spot) (Camera/Director/Edit/Writer)
- UT Heath Science Center - Recruitment (2015) (Camera/Producer/Edit/Writer)
- Wayne Wright Injury Lawyers - (2015) (Camera/Edit)
- The Takedown with UFC Champion Matt Hughes(2016) (13 Episodes) (Camera/Producer/Edit/Writer)
- Zeiss National Spot (2016) (network) (Camera/Producer/Edit/Writer)
Conclusion
If you are seeking a talented individual who knows the importance of good communication within a team, who gives his total support towards accomplishment, and who is as career-committed as it takes to achieve total success, please consider my skills. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my qualifications will be beneficial to your organization's success.
Timeline
Senior Multimedia Specialist
USAA
01.2017 - Current
Senior Production, Creative Capture & Editing
First Take Media
01.2010 - 03.2014
Creative Lead
Kalamazoo Films, LLC
01.2002 - 01.2017
Some College (No Degree) - Radio/Television/Film
School of Performing Arts, Texas A&M University-Kingsville