John Blackburn

About John Blackburn

Contemplating changing careers in your prime earning years can be intimidating. I should know. I went from IT Sales Rep to Video Producer. I fought through the fear and made the change, and it was the best career decision I have ever made! I’m an award winning Producer, Cameraman, and Video Editor in addition to being a Filmmaker and Small Business owner. I hold a MA in Film & Electronic Media from American University (‘19) to go along with a BS in TV, Radio, and Film Production from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University (‘98). Between my Bachelors and Masters Degree programs I had an 18 year sales career. When I’m not working for the federal government or freelancing in video production I use my sales experience to help clients of my video production company, Autometric Video. My free time is usually spent golfing or playing Irish hurling but you can also catch me doing virtually anything sports related or watching a movie/documentary. I’m a multi-instrumental musician, fledgeling birdwatcher, and aspiring voice over talent. Fun Fact: I got my start in TV Production as an intern for George Michael at WRC (NBC4 Washington, DC) as part of The Sports Machine.

Experience

1. Video Producer - Audio Visual Production Specialist

   U.S. Department Of Homeland Security

   Jun 2021 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   3x Telly Award winning video producer. 2023 Silver Telly Award for #EndWildlifeTrafficking video campaign - Education & Discovery category 2020 Silver Telly Award for Editing - Craft category2020 Silver Telly Award - Public Service & Activism categoryAudio-Visual Production Specialist,DHS - Office of Public Affairs • Washington, DCFederal multimedia producer who creates internal and public-facing digital content supporting agency communications, public information, and national outreach. Achievements & Responsibilities:• Produce 75–125 multimedia products annually, including public-information videos, digital campaigns, and mission-based visual storytelling content distributed through social media and DVIDS for national media release.• Conduct on-location field production for domestic and international agency missions, capturing high-quality still photography and video under operational conditions resulting in approximately 80–120 publishable images annually. Selected imagery has been utilized by national media outlets, including a New York Times feature documenting the Lava Treasure French Artifacts repatriation ceremony.• Write scripts, narration copy, shot lists, and production outlines for video and multimedia projects.• Operate professional mirrorless/DSLR, ENG, and drone camera systems.• Support live press events and broadcasts using LiveU, video switchers, YouTube Creator Studio, and Microsoft Teams. Acting Unit Chief – Visual Communications (Detail), GS-14 Office of Public Affairs – Washington, DCDates: September 2024 – October 2024; December 2024 – February 2025Acting Unit Chief providing supervisory oversight and strategic direction for federal visual communications operations. Key Achievements:• Supervised 6 multimedia staff and assigned work priorities, travel coverage, and emergency media center staffing. Reviewed and approved all video products for public release to ensure agency branding, message cohesion, and legal compliance.

Education

• S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University

  Bachelor of Science, TV, Radio, & Film Production

  1994 — 1998

• American University

  Master of Arts, Film and Electronic Media

  2017 — 2019

Skills

• Email Marketing
• B2b Marketing
• Integrated Marketing
• Cold Calling
• Lead Generation
• Sales Process
• Market Research
• Management
• Business Development
• Digital Marketing
• Saas
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Strategic Partnerships
• Sales Presentations
• Solution Selling
• Sales
• Demand Generation
• Account Management
• B2b
• Office 365
• Advertising
• Sharepoint
• New Business Development
• Telemarketing
• Sales Management
• Salesforce.com
• Crm
• Lead Management
• Marketing