Work in progress feature-length documentary about the East Troublesome fire in Colorado, which also explores the larger underlying issues of forest fires in general and climate change. Directed/Produced by Connor Nelson and Parks Thomson. Currently has over 25 interviews and 15 terabytes of footage.
Summary
Mixed background in producing, post, logistics, and several other aspects of production. I’ve worked in documentary, narrative, IT, live events, and graphic design. I have a full location sound kit. Always looking for freelance work. --samruesink.com
Credits
9/21 – Current
Editor (Premiere & After Effects) – Troublesome
Film (Feature-length) — Chaotic Neutral Studios Details
9/21 – Current
5/21 – Current
Camera Operator (Ursa Mini G1 Broadcast, Sony FX6, other misc.) – Misc. Freelance live event work. Includes Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Millennium Park Foundation, University of St. Francis Joliet, and Others
Misc. livestreams — Live/Special Event — Great Lakes Media, Tick Tock Film Works, & Others Details
5/21 – Current
Camera operation (on sticks and handheld), event setup & teardown, live switching, graphics switching, instant replay operation, etc. Concerts, sports, and other misc. live events
5/20 – Current
Post Production Manager (& Technical Manager)
Staff Position — Kurtis Productions Details
5/20 – Current
As of early 2023, I have managed post-production and technical support for 36 new episodes of "American Greed" to CNBC, in addition to 18 "Bonus Edition" repackaged episodes, among other various side projects. -Responsible for coordinating various operations tasks for "American Greed." Includes footage ingest, managing archival media and stock, creating deliverables, preparing/sending out and receiving equipment for location shoots across the country, preparing projects for edit, cutting web content, and working with producers and editors to online and deliver finished shows to network. -Also responsible for company IT, managing and maintaining all gear, software, and equipment. -Often functioned as an editor, creating string outs before the actual show editors' scheduled start dates, and also often addressed producer and network edit notes during finishing, after editors had moved on to other projects. -Occasionally created original motion graphics to assist editors when they were weighed down with other tasks. -Digitized and backed up over 35TB of old Betacam SP, HDCam, and 3/4" tape masters so that the originals could be recycled, freeing up a huge amount of office space. -Worked on numerous side projects for Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra, and for local organizations such as the Millenium Park Foundation and The Field Museum. -Engineered several of Bill Kurtis' VO sessions for A&E's "Cold Case Files" 2021 reboot. -Post Production Manager and travel PA on "American Greed: Saul Goodman" mini web episode created for AMC in 2022. -Produced and Edited Audiobook for Michael Kutza, founder of the Chicago International Film Festival. -Created new version of company website www.kurtis.com. -Created development pitch decks for potential new shows.
6/15 – Current
Editor (Sony Vegas) – Customer Tandem Video Editor (Seasonal Part Time)
Digital — Digital — Wisconsin Skydiving Center Details
6/15 – Current
Edited over 3,000 customer video/stills packages. Often as many as 25+ per day during busy periods. Also occasionally worked front desk scheduling plane loads, selling video packages, and helping customers with liability paperwork.
5/24 – 5/24
Assistant Editor – Untitled Police Training/True Crime Docuseries, TBA (Pilot) (Pilot)
TV Details
5/24 – 5/24
Sorted and synced up footage from police training, pertaining to pit maneuvers, k9 unit training, and aviation-assisted high speed pursuit. Created dailies, tagged footage, synced up multicam shoots with up to 6 simultaneous angles and 7+ tracks of audio recorded from multiple sources, and prepared for editor.
5/24 – 5/24
Sound Mixer (1 day fill-in for another mixer due to scheduling conflict) – A Life Unwritten
Film (Feature-length) — Urban Visionary Films Details
5/24 – 5/24
Ran production sound for a day on a narrative feature. Mixed with F8N, 416, and Audio Limited A10 wireless.
4/24 – 4/24
Sound Mixer – Untitled Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) Promotional Video
Digital — Corporate — Tick Tock Film Works Details
4/24 – 4/24
Ran location sound for a shoot inside of a CPS school. Mic'd up various teachers, staff, and students for interviews and b-roll shot around the school.
4/24 – 4/24
Sound Mixer – Steppenwolf Theater Northern Trust Honoree Video 2024
Digital — Corporate — Kurtis Productions Details
4/24 – 4/24
Ran field audio for a variety of interviews across 3 days, and assisted with setup and teardown.
Media
Recos
Would you like to write a recommendation for Sam?
Write a Recommendation »
Brendan Walsh
Camera Operator
Sam's one of the hardest working and most capable people I've had the pleasure of working with. He's truly a Swiss army knife - able to easily handle any job you throw at him either in post or on set. Rest assured, Sam will be an excellent hire for ...MORE...
any project.
- Brendan was Director of Photography (DP) and Sam was Post Production Manager on American Greed (CNBC)
Emerson Cole
Sound Mixer
Sam is one of the fastest and passionate filmmakers I know. While we haven't worked together closely very much, I have seen his progress and the reputation he's accumulated over the years and it's impressive, to say the least. I would trust Sam to pr ...MORE...
oduce any project I am a part of. With a knack of organization, a get-it-done attitude and a fantastic presence on set, he's a no brainer to add to any team. He's also a fantastic editor with award winning projects under his belt.
- Emerson was Script Supervisor and Sam was Producer on Kith
Education
Class of '20
Columbia College Chicago
B.A., Cinema Arts & Sciences, Producing Emphasis
My Gear
Skills
To message this person, you must be networked on Staff Me Up OR have an EMPLOYER or COMPANY Subscription. Upgrade to Premium!