IAN J CONNORS
Portfolio • IMDB • Vimeo Seattle, WA 206.384.1063 combatcheeks@gmail.com
A passionate documentary, corporate, commercial, and narrative film director & producer with over 25 years experience. Proven success: achieving high-expectations with international stakeholders and crew; leading full-scale on-location and studio shoots from pre-production to delivery of multiple video assets on time and on-budget; directing talent to achieve desired performance; writing scripts that communicate client/brand narrative through creative storytelling; optimizing footage for audio/music, digital advertising, social platforms and sizzle reels; estimating POs, oversee budgets, contracts, legal feedback and overall cost management. Successfully collaborate with video crews, project leaders, artists and interview subjects to hit asset release dates. Thrive in fast-paced environments using an array of camera systems. Obsessive attention to detail, from the lighting & angle of every shot to the administrative day-to-day production schedule.
2022
INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AND METRICS • Director & Producer
Roux Prize Award – Mukti Bosco – Seattle, India
Planned, directed and produced a documentary about Mukti Bosco and her women empowerment health entrepreneurship program through Healing Fields organization. Hired and directed local crew in rural Northeastern India. Produced and directed the project from initial budget to edit completion. Initially budgeted $53,000; came in 3% under budget.
BBC WORLD • Cinematographer
Jessie and Austin: When Murder Goes Viral – Seattle, WA
Covered the BBC World’s Jessie and Austin: When Murder Goes Viral. Filmed trial opening statements through sentencing of Michael Dudley, who was found guilty of murdering and dismembering Austin Wenner and Jessica Lewis. I was the sole camera in the courtroom and was able to work inside the very strict guidelines of the courtroom to document the Lawyers, Witnesses, and ultimately the final verdict.
NOURISH PIERCE COUNTY • Cinematographer
Nourish PC History Documentary – Tacoma, WA
Cinematographer for a documentary about Nourish Pierce County Food Banks. The project focused on Nourish PC’s history of work with the homeless and food insecure in the Pierce County area. The shoot was in multiple locations across Pierce County and on a truncated timeline.
2021
INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AND METRICS • Director & Producer
Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta Movie Name Here – Seattle, India
Produced the project from budget creation to final edit and completion. At the height of COVID, hired crews and remotely directed them in Canada and Pakistan, including performing remote interviews. Facilitated the release and shipment of footage from Pakistan back to the states. This video celebrates the life and work of 2021 Roux Prize winner, Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta. One of the largest awards of its kind, the Roux Prize confers US$100,000 for turning health data into health impact.
FEATURE LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILM • Director & Producer
The Kicker – Multiple Cities in the US
Director and Producer of The Kicker, a feature documentary film taking an unprecedented look at one of the most important yet commonly overlooked positions in professional football. The Kicker. Was able to work with NFL teams to facilitate documentation of practices and interviews with current players. Conducted over 70 exclusive interviews with some of the great players of the game. Negotiated with the NFL for licensing and footage rights.
SHORT COMEDY FILM • Director & Producer
Richard Picture – Los Angeles, CA
Wrote, Directed and Edited this short film. It was featured in the Rawstock film festival. It’s the story of John and he gets a request from his girlfriend that he is very uncomfortable with. Chris helps in the only way he knows how.
2020
HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION • Director & Producer
Public Service Announcement – Los Angeles, CA
Directed a promo PSA for Hollywood Food Coalition to raise money for equipment and awareness of the Coalition’s work with the homeless and food insecure. The video was used to raise thousands of dollars and HFC was able to acquire all the equipment it required.
SHORT COMEDY FILM • Director, Writer & Producer
That Time Willie Nelson Told Me To Go Spit – Los Angeles, CA
Wrote, Directed and Edited the short narrative film, That Time Willie Nelson Told Me To Go Spit. It was accepted into more than 10 film festivals around the world. It was a finalist in multiple festivals and won the best short comedy film award at the Oregon Short Film Festival.
2019
COMMERCIAL • Director & Editor
CDA Beauty
Directed and Edited a 60- and 30-second TV commercial, featuring actress Sheree J. Wilson for CDA Beauty Skin Tightener. Trouble-shot and adapted script to accommodate location restrictions. Worked closely with the CDA marketing group cross country to finalize edit.
FEATURE LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILM • Cinematographer
Fan level Midnight: Devoted to the Office
A documentary about the series The Office. Documented the studio spaces and landmarks where the series was filmed, including interviews with cast members like Robert Ray Shafer Jr. AKA Bob Vance, CalvinTenner AKA Glenn, Kevin Reilly former NBC President of Entertainment.
2018
Live Television • Cinematographer & Camera Technician
The VOICE, America’s Got Talent, People’s Choice Award
Camera Technician for multiple television shows including The Voice, America’s Got Talent, People’ Choice Award, and 50 Years of Dolly at the Grand Ole’ Opry. Built remote camera dolly systems, including Stab-C and Newton heads utilizing proprietary dolly systems. Trouble-shot system failures during live television broadcasts.
2016-17
BIT TITAN • Creative Director • Video Production Cloud Migration Software Company – Bellevue, WA
Launched in-house video production division, BitTitan Media. Managed three-person video marketing team. Led the establishment of a green screen studio, team wide post-production process, equipment budgeting + selection. Creatively led the branded shooting style and overall look/feel. Produced and directed multiple episodic web series Daring Demos and BitTitan Media Presents and customer case studies and product explainers. Wrote and directed BitTitan commercials for retail demographic. Supervised output and conducted performance reviews of direct reports.
2008-2016
8RIVERS FILMS • Owner
Video Production Company – Seattle, WA
Managed and produced end-to-end video productions for clients such as Costco, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Cascadia Consulting, Legacy Hospital and more. Hired specialized crew, managed all client relations and budgeting. Completed award winning documentaries, corporate/training video, and music videos. Our work includes:
“Wear Blue: Run To Remember” Documentary • Director & Producer
Traveled the US interviewing veterans and their families about their experience of losing loved ones during the actions of the war on terror. The videos were used to bring awareness to the organizations work with veterans and families dealing with PTSD and loss.
“To Remember” Documentary • Co-Director & Producer
Recipient of the 2015 Telly award. Aired on BBC World. Lisa Hallett and her teammates run to honor military personnel who’ve fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001. Hallett’s husband was killed fighting for the US Army in Afghanistan, she turned to the one thing that would help her cope – running.
“The Finish Line” Documentary • Director
The inspiring story of 2013 Boston Marathon runner Bill Iffrig, the 78-year-old whose fall 20 feet from the finish line became an iconic image of the bombing. 2015 Honoree Webby in sports category.
“Breaking The Ice” * Associate Producer
The true story of the ’88 Jamaican bobsled team.
“Mr. Irrelevant” • Associate Producer
Exploring the fates of three men who were branded “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final pick of the NFL draft. 2014 Honoree Webby in sports category.
“In Full Uniform” • Director
Directed and conceptualized music video “In Full Uniform” performed by David Reynolds. It took second place F-action music video competition and has more than 103K views on YouTube
“Man Zou:Beijing to Shanghai” Feature Length Documentary • Producer, Cinematographer
Winner of NATAS Northwest regional Emmy Award. Four American friends and their Chinese guide travel between China’s two largest cities by bicycle. Explores the people, culture and rapidly changing environment.
“Sonicsgate” • Cinematographer, Associate Producer
A feature documentary exposing the truth behind the Seattle SuperSonics’ tragic exodus after 41 years in the Emerald City. Winner of a 2010 Webby Award. Played on MSNBC and ESPN Classic.
“Critical 72” • Director, Producer
A disaster preparedness training video for the Oregon Burn Center, Legacy Hospitals. “Critical 72” trained medical staff on how to stabilize and transport burn victims. Winner of three 2008 Telly Awards.
2004-2008
CORPORATE • Producer Cinematographer
The Production Foundry; Seattle, WA
Produced two seasons of live webcasts of NIFL Everett Hawks away games. Documented relief efforts of Northwest Medical Teams International during the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. Produced Washington States “Litter and it will Hurt” campaign videos.
1995-2003
US AIR FORCE • Combat Camera Person
1st Combat Camera Squadron
Documented combat, combat contingence, and training missions for the US military. Qualified in aerial videography in multiple aircraft. Acquired footage in austere conditions around the world including Bosnia, Iraq, Kuwait, and New Jersey.
Awards
2020 Winner Best Comedy Short Film “That Time Willie Nelson Told Me To Go Spit”
2015 Silver Telly -”To Remember”
2015 Honoree Webby in sports category- “The Finish Line “- Director of Photography and Associate Producer
2014 Honoree Webby in sports category- “Mr Irrelevant”- Director of Photography and Associate Producer
2012 Bronze Telly in Cinematography for “Costco, a company built on values”- Cinematographer
2010 Webby- Best Sports Documentary “Sonicsgate”- Director of Photography
2008 1 Silver Telly and 2 Bronze Telly – “Critical 72”- Director and Producer
2001 Military Photographer of the Year 3rd Place Feature Story
1998 Military Photographer of the Year 3rd Place Combat Camera
Education
Seattle Film Institute – 2003 2004
Airman Leadership School – 2001
Syracuse University – 1999-2000
Certification in Broadcast Journalism, S.I. Newhouse School
Ian J. Connors 