Description
Ali Alavi
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a position relative to my experiences focused in the film, audio, and video industries. Further, to learn and expand my knowledge while pursuing the given opportunity to its fullest potential
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Hardware Experience
• Proficient in all equipment and processes relating to audio/video/film production and postproduction
• Experienced with all Arri and Panavision 16mm and 35mm cameras and accessories
• Experienced with all broadcast HD and SD pro camera systems and accessories
• Experienced with live and studio audio production/ postproduction equipment
• Experienced with all film and video production/ postproduction equipment
• Experienced as a computer technician with a comprehensive understanding of computer hardware
Software Experience
• Proficient in all Operating Systems from Microsoft and Apple- All flavors of Windows & Mac
• Proficient in all components of Microsoft Office- MS Project, Word, Excel, & Power Point
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Acrobat, Image Ready, Premier , After Effects, & Illustrator
• Experienced in Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver, & Fireworks
• Experienced in Avid Media Composer & Symphony Nitris
• Experienced in Leitch DPS Velocity
• Experienced in Apple Final Cut Pro & DVD Studio Pro
• Experienced in Boris Effects, Inscriber Title Motion Pro, & Digital Fusion
• Experienced in Pro Tools, Syntrilium Cooledit Pro, Audio Desk, Sonic Foundry Acid, & Sony Sound Forge
• Basic Knowledge of AutoDesk 3DMAX, Maya & Combustion
• Understanding of project management methodologies using: SCRUM, Crystal Clear, & Extreme Programming. Familiar with Software Development Life Cycle Methodologies- Both Traditional & Agile
MOST RECENTLY
The Heart Foundation June 2008
A Tribute to Barry Gordy – Beverly Hills Hilton, International Ball Room.
3 Camera Shoot – Live musical performances, stage performances, 600 person audience, live feed.
Producer & Video Technical Director
Disney Channel June 2008
A. Stone, TV Series Sizzle Reel
Editor
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Feeva, Inc. 2004-2008
Video/ Audio Production and Postproduction
Owner, Director, Producer, Editor, Composer
• Wrote business-plan using PaloAlto Business Plan Pro and implementing secured startup capital
• Effectively marketing developed a client base for audio/ video postproduction
• Hired and managed four video editors and two audio editors
• Using a combination of project management methodologies and personal experiences to manage all postproduction projects, successfully outperforming projected workload capacities
• Planned and executed marketing plan, personally gathering new clients for expansion into production and distribution; networking at industry conventions, via the internet, and all other available channels
• Produced six to twelve feature productions annually, while providing postproduction services to numerous clients amounting to nearly $750,000 in postproduction and $2,150,000 in production revenues annually
• Developed new revenue streams and reduced costs by expanding production facilities to Budapest, Hungary
• Expanded postproduction facilities to Buenos Aires, Argentina; becoming one of the first true HD postproduction facilities in the country, while reducing costs by utilizing inexpensive skilled quality labor
• Employing and managing four video/ audio editors at multiple postproduction facilities in Argentina, 40-80 production crew members two months per year in Budapest, four video/ audio editors, and 30-40 production crew members on a monthly basis in Los Angeles
• Personally wrote, directed, produced, edited, and/or composed music for 18 feature length productions in the course of the past three years
• Sole owner and President/CEO of Feeva Production, Feeva Postproduction, Feeva Entertainment, and Feeva Argentina
Pure Media, Inc. (Ninn Works) 2003-2005
Video/ Audio Production, Postproduction, and Distribution
Producer, Director, and Video Production/ Postproduction Supervisor
• Promoted to head of production, while maintaining the position as the head of postproduction
• Developed a new detailed budgeting system bringing a better understanding of production costs to upper management while reducing overall costs by 20%-30%
• Responsible for hiring and managing a temporary production crew of 20-60 personnel on a monthly basis, with nearly no turn-over of crew members in a two year period
• Produced 36 video productions annually, with a total budget in excess of $10,000,000
• Responsible for the purchase and rental of all production equipment, such as: Cameras, lighting, grip, wardrobe, props, locations, studios, media, etc...
• Produced film/ video productions nationally and internationally. Responsible for the hiring, purchase, or rental of all foreign production personnel, equipment, and facilities. Foreign production budgets exceeded $2,700,000 annually
• Interfaced with upper-management, directors, crew, and talent to construct annual budgets and production schedules
• Responsible for synchronizing and managing production schedules in conjunction with postproduction operations
• Represented both the production and postproduction departments in company meetings, conferences, and trade shows
• Responsible for on-set management as acting producer and production manager for all productions
• Responsible for all regulatory compliance, release, non-disclosure, IRS, production insurance, permits, and all other required documentation for film/ video production
• Personally directed four feature length titles during the course of employment
Ninn Works 2001-2003
Video/ Audio Production, Postproduction, and Distribution
Postproduction Supervisor and Senior Editor
• Instrumental in the purchase of Hope Ranch EFX (Now known as Ninn Worx) by Pure Play Media, Inc.
• Developed the technology infrastructure necessary to sustain a high-output postproduction studio
• Responsible for the planning and purchase of over $1,600,000 of postproduction hardware/software. (Leitch DPS Velocity Workstations, Apple Final Cut Pro Workstations, Supermicro Dual Xeon Servers, Macintosh Dual Xeon Final Cut Pro Workstations, 12Bay NT Render-farm, Raid Storage Systems, Panasonic DVCPRO50 decks, Sony DVCAM decks, Betacam SP decks, Digital Betacam decks, etc…)
• Responsible for the design of audio/video postproduction facilities, including overseeing all construction and sound-proofing
• Hired and managed an audio/ video postproduction department of seven to ten employees
• Responsible for project management and supervision of postproduction for 36 feature video productions annually
• Responsible for the editing of all sizzle-reels, trailers, montage’s, and other technically or aesthetically complex projects
• Responsible for interfacing with upper management, production teams, art department, duplicators, DVD authoring, etc.
• Responsible for the training of all new personnel and for hiring and management of all temporary employees, such as: VO Artists, Studio Musicians, Networking Technicians, Hardware Technicians, Software Technicians, etc.
• Designed and implemented the use of a twelve bay render-farm utilizing Windows NT, After Effects, Digital Fusion, and Combustion
Hope Ranch EFX 2000-2001
3D Animation, Special Effects, and Video/Audio Postproduction
Postproduction Supervisor and Senior Editor
• Responsible for supervision of all aspects of audio and video postproduction
• Planned and implemented workflows and deadlines for all postproduction projects
• Acted as lead editor on all projects using Leitch DPS Velocity workstations
• Designed and implemented graphics and special effects utilizing Combustion, After Effects, and Digital Fusion; also incorporating animation by the 3D animation department, which utilized 3DMAX and MAYA
• Responsible for hiring and training of new postproduction personnel, typically managing a team of four
• Supervised the postproduction of 24 feature length projects annually
• Edited 2-4 of the more complex and aesthetically challenging projects annually, ultimately receiving an award for best-editing
• Engineered and directed all V.O. sessions in the company’s Protools studio
• Developed a postproduction department from ground up, which ultimately was purchased by a larger corporation, Pure Play Media, Inc. in a profitable and successful buyout
MXMX, Inc. 1999-2001
Website Design and Solutions
Senior Partner, Creative Director, and Flash Programmer
• Planned and implemented the purchase and setup of all computer and digital imaging/ processing equipment required for a comprehensive web solutions company; providing small, medium, and large scale projects with transaction processing, multimedia delivery, and web browser based user interfaces
• Hired and managed a team of three to six designers and programmers
• Developed and provided training in Flash, Photoshop, and Image Ready to all personnel
• Managed all projects using a modified SCRUM Agile project management methodology. Interfaced with all clients gathering functional specs, and provided feedback on progress to all stakeholders
• Responsible for acquiring all necessary 3rd party assets for implantation of customer’s functional specs, such as: original imagery, music, licensing, software, etc.
• Personally designed and authored all project’s complex Flash animated “splash pages”, intros, and other graphic elements
• Managed and delivered multiple websites for multiple clients simultaneously over a two year period
• Responsible for the functionality, final design, and overall client satisfaction of all authored websites
Various (1996-2000)
The Last Samurai, Unit Supervisor (UFO Lighting Cranes)
Gone in Sixty Seconds, Unit Supervisor (UFO Lighting Cranes)
Wind Talkers, Unit Supervisor (UFO Lighting Cranes)
The Grinch, Unit Supervisor (UFO Lighting Cranes)
How to Make the Cruelest Month, AC/ Film Loader
Electric Vehicle Promo Video, AC/Film Loader
Annie Lennox “No More I Love Yous” (Alternate Version), Director/ Producer/ Editor/ Cinematographer
PERSONAL SKILLS and ACHIEVMENTS
• Clarita Awards 1997, Winner of: Best Music Video, Best PSA, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup/ Hair/ Costume
• Sony VIC Awards 1997, Winner of: Best Overall Production, Best Cinematography.
• AVN Awards 2003, Winner of: Best Editing
• Holds world cultural experience having traveled and lived in the United Stated, the European Continent, Africa, the Middle East, and South/Central America
• Bi-Lingual: English, Farsi, and basic spoken and written understanding of Spanish
• Classically trained musician. (Guitar, bass, sitar, bass, and piano.)
EDUCATION
Pierce College, Canoga Park CA Psychology, GE (N/C) 2000-2001
Mesa College, San Diego CA Computer Science, GE (N/C) 1999-2000
Moorpark College, Moorpark CA Film Production, GE (N/C) 1998-1999
Santa Monica College, CA Undecided, GE (N/C) 1997-1998
REFERENCES
Jermaine Turner Head of Development Disney Channel 310-728-5093
Haleh Sadeghi Senior QA Analyst DivX 858-337-3535
Duane Loken Owner UFO Lighting Cranes 818-822-7012
Sieg Badke President/ Partner Pure Media, Inc. 778-574-2002
Michael Ninn Owner/ Director Hope Ranch EFX/ Ninn Works 818-282-6815
Michael Cohen President/ Owner MXMX, Inc. 818-338-4033
More references available upon request. All included telephone numbers are direct lines.