Sector 5 Digital

Hello.

My name is Chris Brackman, and I am reaching out to you based on your urgent need for a seasoned, capable Creative Director. I have already applied for this position through the posting on Indeed.com; however, I wish to take this opportunity to explain in greater detail why I would be a highly valuable addition to Sector 5 Digital in fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of the “Creative Director” position.

I will now explain how I fulfill each requirement of the job posting.

S5D, a sister company to Skyline Sector 5, employs a “build once deploy often” strategy allowing our clients to leverage their digital assets across multiple sales and marketing channels to maximize ROI, such as:

film and video production

I was hired to direct a feature-length movie about the development of a piece of petroleum refinery technology that would revolutionize the energy industry of the United States, and the subsequent inevitable threats and espionage that would try to steal or destroy the project.

Originally, I was approached to direct the movie, having been assured that the script, actors, locations, costumes, sets, props, and music were standing by waiting for me to direct the movie.

After these assurances, I learned that there was only a three page rough idea with no plot points listed, just half-remembered conversations from years prior.

I ended up having to perform the following functions, which were well beyond my original task:

Writing and timing the script
Casting all actor roles
Budget tracking and reporting
Performing payroll and logistics duties
Writing, proofreading, and managing contracts
Tracking model and property releases
Securing permissions to film at various locations
Acquiring food and beverages for everyone
Directing the actors
Performing all filming up to 4K resolution while being the sole operator of up to 3 cameras
Setting up lighting
Dressing location sets
Recording and mastering all audio using a separate audio recorder
Color correcting and grading footage
Creating sound effects
Creating visual effects
Creating 3D animations and visualizations
Performing 3D camera tracking and video stabilization
Creating motion graphics
Programming actions in Adobe After Effects
Editing and compositing video
Performing narration
Synchronizing externally recorded dialogue
Composing original orchestral and dramatic music, and
Spotting for sound by timing the arrangement of the music and sound effects to perfectly match the final edit of each scene

In addition, my responsibilities also included creating and maintaining a data archive of raw and transcoded intermediate footage, along with other asset files such as 3D scene files, Adobe After Effects project files, raw audio recordings, stock footage, 3D meshes, images, and 3D surface textures.

After the project began, several key locations became unavailable, preventing continued filming without starting all over from scratch using a new location. In the most devastating of blows, one of the principal actors, a very close friend of mine, died of an aneurysm, forever ending any possibility of completing the project.

The scenes which were filmed have been edited, and are available for your review so you can see what my "one-man show" has produced.

photo-realistic 3D animation

I am adept at creating photo-realistic renderings, including using HDR environment maps for physically-based rendering techniques used for photo-realistic results. I am adept at creating multi-layer materials using the VRay rendering engine in 3D Studio Max, and I'm becoming adept at creating node-based shaders in Blender. I use blackbody radiation modeling in all lighting rigs within Blender, to create the most realistic lighting possible. I'm also familiar with atmospheric haze, fog, and Rayleigh scattering phenomena.

I am fully adept at all aspects of camera usage, including cinematography, manual camera operation (aperture, ISO, shutter speed, shutter angle, frame rate, etc.), as well as a full understanding and vast experience in all areas of optical physics as related to capturing an image, in both the real and digital realms. I can create digital 3D content that appears as if it were filmed with an actual real-world camera, by using ambient occlusion, accurate motion blurring, depth of field effects, and can even simulate de-bayering artifacts, chromatic lens aberrations, and LCD screen details. I have complete knowledge of the various methods of luminance and chrominance sampling methods for digital video, as well as expert knowledge of various professional video codecs.

brand activations

I was a one-man show for one client brand activation that included all of the following features:

Original, from-scratch logo design
Comprehensive graphic design including business cards, schedule cards, QR code ticketing, discount cards, coupon design, cartography design, and multi-part legal forms
Responsive, mobile-friendly website design
TV advertisements
Radio advertisements
Print advertisements for newspapers and industry trade magazines
Location signage
Table banner cloths
Outdoor advertising (billboards)

conferences and trade shows

I have created all media assets for use in preparing, creating, deploying, and marketing trade show experiences, including the following:

Large-format, high quality booth signage
3D visualizations of booth layouts
Press releases
Handouts and giveaways during the show (refrigerator magnets, flyers, schedule cards, etc.)
Looping in-booth video presentations
Apparel designs for shirts, hats, and messenger bags
Programming Microsoft Excel to be used as an interactive floor plan for booking reservations and on-site check-ins of exhibitors

The candidate should have excellent design skills with an eye for detail. They should also be great at conceiving and building a compelling proposal, pitching that to a client, then leading that project from concept to delivery through the studio.

I have over 25 years of multimedia production experience. I have expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, along with skills in all aspects of multimedia and graphic design, including sound design and music production. I also have experience with public speaking and presenting proposals to potential clients, having a knack for answering their questions in an easily understandable manner, regardless of how complex the topic might be.

Creative Direction will involve artistic management and direction of our studio staff with the following skillsets:

3D modelling [sic] & animation (Max/Maya/Vray)

I have been using 3D Studio Max since 1995, and I am adept at using the Vray rendering engine to squeeze out the highest possible quality while minimizing rendering times. This includes creating custom multi-layer and procedural materials.

I have experience doing vertex-level manipulation and perfection of 3D meshes in 3D Studio Max. This includes making non-manifold solid meshes for 3D printing. I have also used free mesh manipulation tools such as MeshLab and TopMod.

I have experience in creating believable physical effects in a 3D rendering environment. I have used advanced plug-ins for 3D Studio Max such as RayFire (fracturing system), PhoenixFD (fluid dynamics system), and the ocean plug-in from Houdini.

It has often been said of the 3D animation industry: “If you create the same animation a year from now using the same tools, you aren’t keeping up with technology.”. There always seems to be a newer, better way to achieve improved results for the same production challenges from the recent past. I endeavor to remain efficient and competitive by staying on top of emerging technologies, tools, and methods.

Innovative — prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity

Warren Buffett said that the most important qualities in an employee are integrity, energy, and intelligence. In addition to these qualities, I also embody a fourth talent which can be extremely useful in the business world: innovation. I have a knack for finding new uses for existing elements and for seeing things from unusual perspectives. Both of these rare skills allow me to apply divergent thinking to arrive at robust, cost-efficient solutions to almost any problem.

Additional qualifications and things to consider:

Being in Euless, Texas, I live less than 4 miles away from the Sector 5 Digital studios on Amon Carter Boulevard. Traffic and inclement weather will never hinder me from being on time, every time.

I have over 25 years of multimedia production experience and therefore I have expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, along with skills in all aspects of multimedia and graphic design, including sound design and music production.

I am extremely detailed in everything I do, so much so that I provide a "Zero Typo Guarantee" to all of my clients. I have a motto when it comes to quality: "Absolutely perfect is ALMOST good enough!" I have learned, however, to temper this perfectionism depending on budgetary and time constraints in order to eliminate "scope creep".

One of your clients, Bell Helicopter, holds a special place in my heart. My father, who died on his birthday in 1998, worked for Bell Helicopter at the flight research center off of I20 at the Arlington Municipal Airport. My childhood was spent looking at amazing helicopter photos on the calendar which Bell Helicopter gave to their employees and attending company-sponsored outings to Six Flags which always included catered BBQ meals.

I have been absolutely debt-free since 2006. Since reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) base their credit scores on timely adherence to debt repayment schedules, I will not appear on their systems as I have had no ongoing debt payments for the last 7 years with which they could calculate a credit rating.

I have passed a multitude of FBI background checks – including fingerprinting – to obtain my current professional financial licenses.

I am able to start immediately, in order to satisfy Sector 5 Digital's NEED to fill this position.

You can view my full resume with links to Executive, Skills, and Personality profiles. I also have 3D animated stock footage for sale on the Pond5 website.

TO SUMMARIZE:

I believe I would be an extremely valuable addition to Sector 5 Digital's pool of talent because I am a highly intelligent, seasoned, capable producer of all things multimedia. I also have a big-picture focus, unshakable integrity, business acumen, and a knack for clever innovation.

If I can provide any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

I look forward to working with you in the very near future.

Respectfully,
Chris Brackman (a.k.a. "Adobe Wan Kenobi™")
Integrity — Intelligence — Energy — Innovation

chris@hyperoptic.net
mobile 817 – 821 – 1533

Hello.

My name is Chris Brackman, and I am reaching out to you based on your urgent need for a seasoned, capable Creative Director. I have already applied for this position through the posting on Indeed.com; however, I wish to take this opportunity to explain in greater detail why I would be a highly valuable addition to Sector 5 Digital in fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of the “Creative Director” position.

I will now explain how I fulfill each requirement of the job posting.

film and video production

Originally, I was approached to direct the movie, having been assured that the script, actors, locations, costumes, sets, props, and music were standing by waiting for me to direct the movie.

After these assurances, I learned that there was only a three page rough idea with no plot points listed, just half-remembered conversations from years prior.

I ended up having to perform the following functions, which were well beyond my original task:

Writing and timing the script
Casting all actor roles
Budget tracking and reporting
Performing payroll and logistics duties
Writing, proofreading, and managing contracts
Tracking model and property releases
Securing permissions to film at various locations
Acquiring food and beverages for everyone
Directing the actors
Performing all filming up to 4K resolution while being the sole operator of up to 3 cameras
Setting up lighting
Dressing location sets
Recording and mastering all audio using a separate audio recorder
Color correcting and grading footage
Creating sound effects
Creating visual effects
Creating 3D animations and visualizations
Performing 3D camera tracking and video stabilization
Creating motion graphics
Programming actions in Adobe After Effects
Editing and compositing video
Performing narration
Synchronizing externally recorded dialogue
Composing original orchestral and dramatic music, and
Spotting for sound by timing the arrangement of that music and sound effects to perfectly match the final edit of each scene

The scenes which were filmed have been edited, and are available for your review so you can see what my "one-man show" has produced.

photo-realistic 3D animation

I am adept at creating photo-realistic renderings, including using HDR environment maps for physically-based rendering techniques used for photo-realistic results. I am adept at creating multi-layer materials using the VRay rendering engine in 3D Studio Max, and I'm becoming adept at creating node-based shaders in Blender. I use blackbody radiation modeling in all lighting rigs within Blender, to create the most realistic lighting possible. I'm also familiar with atmospheric haze, fog, and Rayleigh scattering phenomena.

I am fully adept at all aspects of camera usage, including cinematography, manual camera operation (aperture, ISO, shutter speed, shutter angle, frame rate, etc.), as well as full understanding and vast experience in all areas of optical physics as related to capturing an image, in both the real and digital realms. I can create digital 3D content that appears as if it were filmed with an actual real-world camera, by using ambient occlusion, accurate motion blurring, depth of field effects, and can even simulate de-bayering artifacts, chromatic lens aberrations, and LCD screen details. I have complete knowledge of the various methods of luminance and chrominance sampling methods for digital video, as well as expert knowledge of various professional video codecs.

TV commercials

I have produced over a hundred television advertisements for clients, including scripting, photography, videography, narration, motion graphics, typography, music, and sound design.

brand activations

I was a one-man show for one client brand activation that included all of the following features:

Original, from-scratch logo design
Comprehensive graphic design including business cards, schedule cards, QR code ticketing, discount cards, coupon design, cartography design, and multi-part legal forms
Responsive, mobile-friendly website design
TV advertisements
Radio advertisements
Print advertisements for newspapers and industry trade magazines
Location signage
Table banner cloths
Outdoor advertising (billboards)

on-line and mobile applications

I have only created one mobile application — a digital slate for use in filming projects.

See it here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/62896321/Indie-Slate-Android-App

conferences and trade shows

I have created all media assets for use in preparing, creating, deploying, and marketing trade show experiences, including the following:

Large-format, high quality booth signage
3D visualizations of booth layouts
Press releases
Handouts and giveaways during the show (refrigerator magnets, flyers, schedule cards, etc.)
Looping in-booth video presentations
Apparel designs for shirts, hats, and messenger bags

VR / VIVE

I have not yet had the opportunity to create any Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) content; however, I am eager to apply my skills in this new and exciting arena.

I have over 25 years of multimedia production experience. I have expert proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, along with skills in all aspects of multimedia and graphic design, including sound design and music production. I also have experience with public speaking and presenting proposals to potential clients, having a knack for answering their questions in an easily understandable manner, regardless of how complex the topic might be.

Creative Direction will involve artistic management and direction of our studio staff with the following skillsets:

3D modelling [sic] & animation (Max/Maya/Vray)

I have been using 3D Studio Max since 1995, and I am adept at using the Vray rendering engine to squeeze out the highest possible quality while minimizing rendering times. This includes creating custom multi-layer and procedural materials.

It has often been said of the 3D animation industry: “If you create the same animation a year from now using the same tools, you aren’t keeping up with technology.”. There always seems to be a newer, better way to achieve improved results for the same production challenges from the recent past. I endeavor to remain efficient and competitive by staying on top of emerging technologies, tools, and methods.

Motion graphics & compositing (After Effects)

I have been using Adobe After Effects since 2000, and am familiar with the advanced features of the same, going so far as programming per-element actions to achieve data-driven results.

UI/UX design (photoshop/illustrator)

I have vast experience creating simple, useful, and compelling interfaces which minimize user confusion and increase interaction speed. I have been using Photoshop and Illustrator for 27 and 31 years respectively, and have achieved such a level of mastery of these programs, that my friends and business acquaintances refer to me as "Adobe Wan Kenobi™".

Programming, Level Design & Technical FX (Unity Platform)

I have done some minimal game design using the Unreal Engine game platform; however, I possess the ability to rapidly learn new skills and new software packages.

Concept Art

I have been drawing and creating art since I was 3 years old. I can create realistic rapid sketches of 3D items, mock-ups, concept explanations, and storyboards for filming. I have experience using multiple styles and media, from pencil to pen and ink to charcoal to pastel to paint to colored marker to using digital pen tablets from Wacom. I apply my full understanding of the physical constraints of real-world production when creating concept art.

Front End Web Dev

I have created over a dozen websites with complex, custom front-end programming using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, C#, and PHP. I am adept at customizing existing themes and templates from content management systems for ultimate flexibility and modularity.

Experience:

Art Director/Creative Director: 7 years (Required)

I have run my own business as a one-man full-service creative production house for 12 years, and have been performing all related tasks for over 20 years for other employers.

Work authorization:

United States (Required)

I was born in Texas to two citizen parents, and therefore I'm a Natural Born Citizen. I am the fifth generation of my family name, after they emigrated legally from Bremen, Germany in the 1800s.

This Job Is Ideal for Someone Who Is:

Dependable — more reliable than spontaneous

It is extremely rare that I am ever sick or late. I have no criminal convictions, bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, illicit drug use, alcohol abuse, gambling problems, lifestyle issues, debts, or other moral hazards. That being said, I DO appreciate the opportunity for a flexible schedule.