Paul Szopa

Experience

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  Motion Picture Industry

  Jan 1996 - May 2006

  Director of Photography / Gaffer / Set Lighting Technician

  Participated on numerous film and television projects over a ten-year career – often managing the entire film crew of 20-30 people and leading them to successful completion of projects in the ever-changing, fluid and high-pressure world of film production. Beautiful lighting, strong composition and clear storytelling are hallmarks of his work. Earning the respect of directors and producers for his creative talent and strong leadership, crew management and his ability to hit deadlines and stay on budget, he was regularly re-hired to work on subsequent projects.Directed Photography on several award-winning short films which include the Los Angeles Film Festival's Audience Award for Best Short Film and an Official Selection at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed Photography on a feature film that won Best Horror/Suspense Film at the New Orleans Media Experience. Duties as Director of Photography include managing the entire production crew in order to execute the film director's vision and guide all the technical and creative departments on set to capture that vision while working within the budget and time constraints of the production.Key Highlights:• Director of Photography for numerous short films and one feature film; managed crews of up to 30 people; completed projects on time and on budget and films won several awards• Gaffer (head of lighting crew); managed up to 10 people; responsibilities were to distribute power and oversee all lighting under the direction of the Director of Photography.• Set Lighting Technician, Member I.A.T.S.E Local 728 Lighting Union• Film/TV credits include: Charmed, NYPD Blue, CSI: Las Vegas, Behind Enemy Lines, Dr. Doolittle 2, X-FilesFor a more detailed list of credits, please click on image below. Show less

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  Madera South High School

  Aug 2006 - Jun 2007

  High School Teacher

  • Full-time teacher of Video Production and Digital Imagery (Photography and Adobe Photoshop)• Taught Final Cut Studio to video production students• Managed a 35-computer Mac lab and server with over 100 user accounts• Video class was part of Fresno County Office of Education's Regional Occupational Program (ROP) and trained students for entry-level video production jobs upon graduation

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  Schneider Electric / Pelco

  Jun 2007 - Jul 2014

  Sr. Motion Designer / 3D Artist / Video Producer – Global Marketing

  Worked closely with Product Marketing Managers to craft scripts, videos and graphics to creatively promote the product and brand to align with marketing strategies and campaigns. Expanded the capabilities of the creative team by learning and mastering highly complex 3D animation and motion graphics software. Improved the brand's visibility at trade shows by suggesting the purchase of the "Watchout" multi-display system to create large video walls of up to 24 - 42" monitors and creating the animations to play on it. Traveled to trade show sites to assemble, test and operate the Watchout system.Key responsibilities:• Writer, Art Director, designer, animator and editor of high-end motion graphics and 3D animations for marketing materials and video security trade shows.• Writer, art director, and producer of award-winning marketing videos for products and services for the web• Programmed and set up “Watchout,” a multi-display software system to create a large video wall, linking up to 24 monitors together• Project managed, scheduled and budgeted my work• Met with stakeholders to determine the needs for a project, then wrote the treatments, scripts and storyboards and created the animations/videos – working closely with the clients throughout the process to ensure message and style met their approval• Managed outside vendors to deliver voice overs and animations on time and on budget• Created photo-realistic 3D renders of products as table-top and application shots as well as other styles of renderings in support of the graphic designers on my team• Video and sound editor• Co-produced large event for 1,500 attendees with live music, staging and lighting• Graphic Design and PowerPoint DesignArtistry and creativity as well as effectiveness of communication have earned him multiple awards.Proficiencies: Cinema 4D, After Effects, Final Cut Pro (7 and X), Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Creative Suite, Motion, Writing, Microsoft Office Show less

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  Fresno Pacific University

  Aug 2007 - May 2015

  Adjunct Professor of Video Production

  Nurtures and passes on to his students the knowledge and experience gained from both his film production days as well as his marketing communications background. His teaching and mentoring inspires his pupils and several are pursuing careers in the motion picture and video industry. He places strong emphasis on composition, camera placement and storytelling with the camera.• Teaches three Communication Arts production courses on a rotating basis: Video Production I & II and Cinematography: Visual Storytelling.• Mentors and advises students on career paths in the film and video industry• Uses FCP X editing software for classroom instruction Show less

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  Freelance 3D Artist / Animator / Illustrator

  Sept 2014 - now

  3D Artist

  Clients: Sony Electronics | Coca-Cola Brands (Amstel Light & Gold Peak Tea) | TEAK Digital, San Francisco | Alarm.com | Wide Eyed Agency

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  Griffin Technology

  Feb 2015 - Oct 2017

  3D Artist / Video Producer / Photographer

  VISIT MY PORTFOLIO WEBSITE: http://paulszopa.com• Transformed Griffin brand’s imagery with gorgeous 3D animations and still renders for use in all marketing materials for print, web, packaging and sales meetings• Developed an efficient workflow to produce 3D renders for products• Worked closely with other members of the creative team to create unique 3D illustrations

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  Alarm.com

  Dec 2017 - now

  Lead 3D Artist