Zack Stern | Video Producer

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Hello. My name is Zack Stern. I'm a video producer in Oakland, CA. My life is driven by mise en scène and mise en place.

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Macworld/iWorld tradeshow 1/1

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We ran multiple types of productions from the final Macworld/iWorld tradeshow (formerly Macworld Expo). I assigned one shooting team to create quick-take videos with the Macworld editorial team. Another team made quick highlight edits from stage presentations. A final team created several custom videos to promote the tradeshow itself. I oversaw everything and stepped in wherever we were short staffed.

In one of the many custom productions I led at IDG, Neustar wanted us to create a series of pre-rolls loosely based on a campaign they were running. I created the concepts, wrote, produced, and directed four punchy spots.

As part of a custom series for Dell, we profiled several tech companies and CEOs. Dell was fairly hands-off, so it was up to us to draw out these innovators' stories and advice for other entrepreneurs. I produced and directed this series, including field production and running interviews.

As part of a custom series for Dell, we profiled several tech companies and CEOs. Dell was fairly hands-off, so it was up to us to draw out these innovators' stories and advice for other entrepreneurs. I produced and directed this series, including field production and running interviews.

When Thunderbolt was new, the Macworld staff first tested its practical uses. Then we got to this video of stupid Thunderbolt tricks. This is a moderate-quality production; our small staff size couldn't ship this style daily, but I like to mix in a range of production levels. I produced and co-wrote this video.

This field production got us out of the office to test a satellite Internet router. Both of the hosts were tech experts and had a lot of video experience, but we used this approach to move them past a newsy, straight-to-camera style. This shows one way I like to draw out the personality in talent, especially in people who aren't in video regularly. They handled most of the pre-production, but I produced and directed all other steps.

This tech-enabled basketball demo shows a simple studio shoot without many frills. We didn't have time to take this to a court, but we still had fun and shot dynamically. This style of video can get get knocked out quickly, in about a half-day. I produced and directed at all stages.

At this field shoot, we had limited time and access; we weren't even allowed to shoot our staff inside of the demo. Additionally, our editorial expert was a writer who wasn't used to talking to the camera. Instead of trying to force him into being a host, I set this up as an interview, letting me quickly draw out his personality. I like this approach for many situations with staff experts. I was the producer for all steps.

We developed Hardcore Hardware with PCWorld to show off the playfully loud voice of one of its editors. This is one of the first episodes. As Executive producer, I was hands-on only when needed, setting expectations and giving help over the whole production. I was happy to steer my team to take risks and have fun without me micromanaging.

We went on-location for this complicated PCWorld review. In just over a half-day of shooting, we hit three main locations and used a drone team for a variety of footage. I produced and directed in all stages.

PCWorld regularly needs on-location coverage with a minimal crew, even for an interview. So we developed an off-the-cuff style that works well with just one camera. The camera floats between a single and two-shot. In post, the edit covers the move or just embraces the roughness in this format. I produced and directed all stages of this segment.

PCWorld develops big features for its annual mobile-phone-network-coverage story. We traveled to Boston to meet our main investigator as he wrapped up weeks of carrier testing across U.S. cities. I produced and directed all stages of this video. I also creative-directed the PCWorld intro and outro bumpers.

Some TechHive features warrant a little more time than the usual half-day edits, but still need to be finished in about two days. In this example, we extended our shooting to about four hours to get ample B-roll and spent the remaining time in edit. I produced and directed all stages of this piece.

TechHive, Macworld, and PCWorld produce dozens of reviews each month, many of which warrant video coverage. We took on a voiceover-and-B-roll style to speed through production, shooting and editing a review in less than a day. I co-produced this Sphero 2.0 segment and also served as our stunt driver. Vroom!

TechHive creates regular car-tech features, bringing their own challenges of tight spaces and mobile, outdoor shooting. In this example, we highlighted a new car's ability to stay in its lane even if you take your hands off the wheel, testing it on San Francisco highways. I produced and directed at all stages.

Sometimes a project needs a big-budget look on a tight timeframe. Only four weeks ahead of its launch, we took on this project to introduce IDG.tv. I led pre-production and post, since I was on-location with another video when this had to shoot. I created the concept, script, and storyboard; and I post-produced to bring it all together.

One of the challenges in client-driven content is to keep it interesting and not get mired in marketing points. Instead of scripting rigidly, I like to interview executives to keep them extemporaneous, while still listening closely to what will work in the edit. I produced and directed all stages of this series of videos, including a week of on-location shooting.

TechHive sometimes runs big features which warrant three or so days editing, giving time to draw out the personality of subjects. In this case, our two crews shot at ATT Park for two days, gathering footage for five TechHive productions. All had tech angles, such as this example profiling the grounds crew and its gear. I directed one of our shooting teams and co-produced this segment.

Custom clients often need original animation. I produce fun segments in a range of styles, using a network of illustrators. In this example for Qualcomm, I produced and directed all stages of work.

To launch TechHive, I produced and directed this piece written by our marketing team. They needed a quick introduction and used this as a pre-roll ad. Note that I also produced and directed the opening and closing bumper, one of the animations used in ongoing TechHive videos.

At the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Consumer Electronics Shows, I led a team of a dozen people, producing videos for PCWorld, TechHive, and other IDG brands. We knocked out about 15 quick-hit videos each day; shooting, editing, and publishing segments in just a few hours. At the end of the 2013 show, we produced this sizzle reel of our week. In addition to executive producing all coverage, I did substantial pre-production--down to ordering furniture and negotiating contracts--directly post-produced most videos, and field-produced many.

Just a few weeks ahead of its launch, a new IDG custom group asked us to create an introductory video to tout its value. I interviewed the group's leader from off-camera, drawing out his key points in concise phrases. I also produced and directed through all stages of production. Finally, I produced all of the original videos and location shoots from which we pulled b-roll.

Intel wanted a series of videos that introduced new laptop features, aligned with different kinds of buyers. In this segment, we show how several Ultrabooks have features suited towards content creators. We shot on-location over a week for the full series. I produced and directed in all stages of production.

GFI wanted to educate its audience about how most PC attacks happen through out-of-date software. We created this original animation that highlighted research facts to show that PC users aren't as protected as they think. I produced and directed over the full production.

As a producer for Sony's monthly PS3 show, Qore, I created regular content about videogames. In this gameplay-and-VO production, I wrote the script, captured footage, and otherwise produced and directed the complete segment.

We dove into the technology behind Uncharted 3 with Qore, Sony's monthly game show. For this segment, our team visited the developers at Naughty Dog just ahead of the game's launch. I co-produced this segment in post, shaping the final video from our interview and gameplay footage.

At an E3 tradeshow, we banked about a dozen interviews over a few days for Qore, Sony's gaming series. We set up in a studio near the convention center and created a handful of different looks for interviews. I was the lead producer of our interview shoots, asking interview subjects questions and otherwise producing the shooting. I also shared story production on this Batman feature.

As part of Qore, Sony's monthly videogame show, we often shot on location at game companies' offices, too. I produced and directed this remote shoot, and story-produced through post.