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| SUMMARY
STATEMENT |
| Versatile writer and marketing communications specialist with excellent computer skills. Dedicated Macintosh user. |
Over
twenty years of experience in all forms of marketing and corporate communications,
including:
|
| As a writer, I am a hybrid: I can write both technical copy and creative copy. I take pride in my versatility. Throughout my career, I've provided a wide range of creative and technical services both as a staff employee and as an independent contractor. This on-line resume offers you an overview of my work in both modes of operation. To get a fuller idea of my range, click on the links to view or download samples of my work. That really is the only way to get a feel for what I can do for you. |
| I'm available for contract work or a permanent position. I'm willing to relocate, if assisted, following a mutual try-out period. Whenever possible, I prefer assignments which give me an opportunity to learn new material and master new software tools to add more depth to my proven writing skills. If you're looking for someone with both an analytical and a creative mind, you've come to the right site. Routine bores me: I enjoy doing things I haven't done before. I like learning new things. I like new challenges. If you've got one, tell me about it. If I can help out, I will. |
| EDUCATION | |
| Bachelor of Arts in English
(with honors) Colgate University, Hamilton, NY |
|
| Master of Science in TV/Radio/Film Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse, NY |
|
| Master of Fine Arts in Cinema-Drama Syracuse University, School of Visual and Performing Arts, Syracuse, NY |
(Pending completion of
a masters thesis-film.) |
| WORK EXPERIENCE (staff
and free-lance, chronologically ordered) |
|
| Writer-Producer | 1977 — 2007 |
| ...doing business as Galileo II Productions, on a free-lance basis. | |
|
Providing creative services in marketing and corporate communications, including technical writing, advertising copywriting, public relations, and script writing for film and video productions. Employers and clients served include: |
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| Technical Writer | 2006 |
| CTG (Computer Task Group), Buffalo, NY | |
On a consultant basis through CTG, assigned to Synergy Business Management, a holding company supervising the operation of several enterprises, including three native American-owned mail order tobacco companies. Wrote four training manuals, website copy, and other reports to be used for staff training, in court cases, and in Congress to document client's policies of operating in strict compliance with all constitutionally valid laws. Assignment occurred at a time when the large tobacco companies and attorneys general throughout America —in the government-sponsored cartel that evolved from the controversial Master Settlement Agreement of 1998— are attempting to squash competition to Big Tobacco from small manufacturers and distributors. |
|
| Creative Writer | 2004— 2005 |
| Eagle International Institute, Rochester, NY | |
Wrote scenario-based, narrative scripts to be delivered in live training sessions for Fortune 500 companies seeking to improve the productivity of their work force in the use of software programs running on mobile technologies, like laptop computers, Tablet PC's, and personal digital assistants (PDA's). Clients included Microsoft (for promoting OneNote on the Tablet PC); Pfizer (new hire training). Also, wrote marketing materials to promote Eagle's course offerings and brand image through web site and brochures. |
|
| Educational Specialist (Video and Multimedia Producer) | 2003— 2004 |
| Research Foundation of SUNY, Buffalo State College, Center for Development of Human Services, Buffalo, NY. | [Read Testimonial.] |
|
Assigned to the Curriculum Development department. Developed educational videos and web sites as resource materials to support the training of caseworkers in child welfare. With a digital video camera, photographed, directed talent, and used Apple Computer’s Final Cut Pro to edit The Toys That Bond video (to facilitate bonding between parents and children); conceptualized and supervised development of The Journey Through Adoption CD-ROM/website project (a comprehensive reference guide for caseworkers). |
|
| Managing Editor, Internet Department | 2001 — 2002 |
| WKBW-TV, Buffalo,NY. | |
|
Working in a dynamic, TV newsroom environment and drawing upon the wire services, our staff reporters' copy, the local newspaper and the Internet, I wrote and edited news copy for daily publication on the web site of a local television station affiliated with the ABC-TV network. Also, I digitized photographic images from video taped news footage to associate them with the text of news articles; I created interesting, humorous, provocative on-line polls; I maintained and up-dated content for all pages of the TV station's web site; I used DreamWeaver to develop new pages as needed; and I used basic HTML code to accentuate my stories and to create hyper-text links from my articles to other related stories on the Internet. |
|
| Writer / Web Content, On-line Help System | 2000 |
| iwin.com, Los Angeles, CA. | |
|
On a telecommuter basis, I wrote the "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ's) section for the Internet's most popular (10,000,000 hits per day!), games-for-prizes web site. I blended a humorous style with technical content so that the copy in their new Help Center matches the entertainment-oriented flavor of the site and reduces the volume of e-mail queries deluging their customer service staff. (To read iwin.com writing samples, click here.) |
|
| Writer / Content Development Coordinator | 2000 |
| CitiNetwork.com, Buffalo, NY. | |
| Initially hired to write the content and manage the production for an educational, career-searcher's web site to be called "OnLine Professional," I was re-assigned to copy-edit another web site product, "CitiWeddings," after a change in this dot.com start-up's marketing strategy dictated that my own product line be eliminated. | |
| Technical Writer | 1999 — 2000 |
| IBM, Sterling Forest, NY. | |
| As a consultant assigned by Computer Consulting Associates to IBM in Sterling Forest, NY on a contract basis, I edited technical copy, and I designed and formatted word processing templates to be used by IBM's Internet Emergency Response Service in reports to their customers. Worked on-site, and off-site by telecommuter. (Because all reports are client-confidential to protect their web sites' security, no work samples can be provided.) | |
| Technical Writer / Documentation Manager | 1998 |
| Reciprocal, Buffalo, NY. | |
| Wrote the user guides for the pre-release versions of the Reciprocal Packager and the Reciprocal Viewer — the software used for the secure sale and distribution of protected, digital content (like computer games, software, videos, and medical records) in encrypted files, called “DigiBoxes,” over the Internet. (Reciprocal was formerly called Rights Exchange; it was originally known as Softbank Net Solutions.) | |
| Computer Lab Manager | 1996 — 1998 |
| CompuVest Associates, Amherst, NY. | |
| Provided multi-faceted technical support for a money management firm owned by University at Buffalo alumnus Charles S. Tirone, M.D. Assisted Dr. Tirone in making presentations to student interns interested in obtaining practical experience in finance. Trained students to use software designed to faciliate decision-making for stock market investments. Performed internet searches as requested by Dr. Tirone. Set up, installed, and maintained hardware and software configurations of Windows-based computer lab located at the UB Commons. Drafted correspondence; designed spreadsheets; tweaked PowerPoint presentations; maintained data bases on stock market quotes and reference materials. | |
| Technical Writer / Editor | 1995 |
| Aria Wireless Systems, Orchard Park, NY. | |
| Used RoboHelp to develop an on-line, hypertext-based help system for Aria's "Network Manager" software. Extensive interaction with hardware and software engineers. | |
| Scriptwriter | 1995 |
| Unipunch, Buffalo, NY. | |
| “Cost
Effective Punching Solutions” A 7-minute marketing video presenting Unipunch's economical methods for punching holes and creating patterns in metal for the sheet metal fabrication industry. |
|
| Technical Support Specialist (Macintosh) | 1992 — 1993 |
| The Quadrant Group, Los Angeles, CA. | |
| Administered
a small Apple Talk network for Judy Pierson, a leading West Coast health
care consultant. Installed software; trained staff in various programs;
maintained six Macintosh computers; provided on-site technical support;
made backups to digital audio tape; supervised modem file transfers;
assisted in the desktop publishing of reports. Authored
The Pierson Company's report on: “Public Health in Los Angeles: An Endangered Species?” |
|
| Scriptwriter | 1991 |
| CCH Computax, Los Angeles, CA. | |
| “Pro-System FX—Annual
Update” A two-hour training video instructing accountants and tax-preparers about the changes in this income tax software program designed for corporate returns. |
|
| Scriptwriter | 1991 |
| Synapse Technologies, Los Angeles, CA. | |
| “Columbus:
Discovery and Beyond” Wrote several short audio-visual scripts, video scripts, and text-based articles for an innovative, interactive, multi-media project funded by IBM for educational use in schools. |
|
| Scriptwriter | 1990 |
| Philips Interactive Media of America, Los Angeles, CA. | |
| “Caesar's
World of Gambling” The first casino gambling game on an interactive compact disc (CD-I). Wrote the scripts and collaborated in the design of the on-line help and tutorials for: |
|
| Scriptwriter / Editor | 1990 |
| Mary Jo Blue Productions, Los Angeles, CA. | |
| “City Cable:
Improving Telephone Accessibility” “Country County Cable: Timeliness of Service Calls” Two 10-minute, dramatic videos used to stimulate discussion in seminars at the CTAM 90 conference for executives in cable TV. |
|
| Scriptwriter | 1990 |
| Shelly Satin & Associates, New York, NY. | |
| “Customer
Care” A 30-minute documentary video introducing Adelphia Cable's customer training program. |
|
| Writer-Producer | 1988 — 1989 |
| Graphic Evidence (a division of Litigation Sciences), Los Angeles, CA. | |
| Wrote, produced, and directed video presentations for attorneys to use as demonstrative evidence in support of their court cases. Also, off-line edited several projects in 3/4” and 1/2” video tape, and supervised on-line editing sessions. | |
| Video Editor | 1988 |
| Robert Drucker and Associates, Northridge, CA. | |
| “Indoor Air Quality” Off-line edited and supervised on-line editing of a 20-minute industrial video on indoor air pollution. |
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| Scriptwriter / Producer / Editor | 1988 |
| Cassidy/Calnan Associates, Los Angeles, CA. | |
| Jean de Florette” “Manon of the Spring” Wrote narrative continuity and directed off-line editing of “mini-movies” promoting the distribution of these French feature films on home video by Orion. |
|
| Scriptwriter / Director / Producer | 1987 |
| Hewlett-Packard, Mountain View, CA. | |
| “H-P AdvanceNet” A marketing video promoting Hewlett-Packard's computer networking strategy. |
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| Scriptwriter | 1987 |
| Triad Systems, Livermore, CA. | [Read Testimonial.] |
| “Triad Basic
Point of Sale” “Triad Special Order” Video training courses for customers. |
|
| Scriptwriter / Director / Producer | 1986 |
| Xerox, El Segundo, CA. | [Read Testimonial.] |
| “Documenter
Sales Training: Competitive Analysis” A 90-minute video, providing in-depth competitive analysis of the desktop publishing marketplace, circa 1984. “Documenter:
Sales Presentation Demo” |
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| Scriptwriter | 1986 |
| Hewlett-Packard, Mountain View, CA. | [Read Testimonial.] |
| “The Trial of
the Maintenance Manager” An audio cassette dramatizing the features and benefits of Hewlett-Packard's computerized maintenance management solution. Produced as a 1940-ish radio drama. |
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| Scriptwriter / Director | 1986 |
| Chevron, San Francisco, CA. | [Read Testimonial.] |
| “Identifying
Client Behavioral Styles” A training video showing Chevron's sales representatives how to size up prospects. |
|
| Scriptwriter | 1986 |
| ITT, San Jose, CA. | |
| “Introducing
the ITT XTRA/286” An audio visual script introducing ITT's IBM-AT clone. |
|
| Technical Writer | 1986 |
| Activision, Mountain View, CA. | |
| Wrote the user's guide for a word processing program for Atari computers. | |
| Scriptwriter | 1985 |
| Amdahl, Sunnyvale, CA | |
| “X.25:
An Overview” Script for a video training course on a telecommunications protocol. |
|
| Copywriter | 1984 |
| Rauh, Good, Darlo, & Barnes Advertising, Los Gatos, CA. | |
| Wrote the marketing brochure introducing GE-Calma's 2-dimensional drafting system. | |
| Director, Corporate Communications | |
| The Software Machine, Sunnyvale, CA. | 1984 |
| Co-authored business plan for an educational software start-up; coordinated public relations and advertising; wrote project proposals, press releases, presentational materials; provided creative input in the design of software products. | |
| Publicist | 1983 — 1984 |
| Catalyst Technologies, Sunnyvale, CA. | |
| Coordinated public relations and marketing communications for the start-up companies developed by Atari founder and entrepreneur Nolan Bushnell in his high tech incubator. | |
| Public Relations Director | 1983 — 1984 |
| Cumma Technology, Sunnyvale, CA. | |
| Coordinated all public relations functions at the Consumer Electronics Show for this start-up company of the Catalyst Technologies group. Conceptualized, wrote the copy, and coordinated production and printing of 4-color sales brochure. Wrote press releases; took publicity photographs; obtained front page stories in trade show dailies; obtained feature story on a network-affiliated Las Vegas television station. | |
| Senior Copywriter | 1982 — 1983 |
| Atari, Sunnyvale, CA. | [Read Testimonial.] |
| Wrote
instruction manuals and packaging copy for video games. Credits include:
|
|
| Assistant Manager | 1981 — 1982 |
| Cinerama Theaters of California, Corte Madera, CA. | |
| Opened the theater for business. Supervised cashiers, ticket takers, and concession stand help. Dealt with the public. Conducted inventory. Collected and deposited the box office receipts. Made reports. Supervised clean-up. Closed up. | |
| Fund-raising proposal writer | 1979 — 1980 |
| Landal Institute, Sausalito, CA. | |
| Wrote grant proposals for an environmental planning organization. | |
| Writer-Producer | 1978 |
| KTVU-TV, Oakland, CA. | |
| Wrote, edited, and produced on-air promos to support the news, sports, and programming of a strong, independent station. Reviewed footage; selected tantalizing scenes; wrote narrator's copy; chose music and sound effects; ordered art and graphics elements; supervised editing of 2” video masters; directed talent and crew; produced over 20 promos weekly under deadline pressures. | |
| Writer-Producer | 1977 — 1978 |
| KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA. | |
| Coordinated the on-air promotion of QB VII, a 6-1/2 hour mini-series, for an ABC-TV owned-and-operated affiliate's afternoon movie format during a ratings sweeps month. Edited the original production to conform to daily episodes; produced all promotional spots, previews, daily teasers, and story re-caps. Supervised cross-promotion of program on radio, in TV Guide, and via other public service programming. | |
| Public Relations Director | 1977 |
|
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| For both festivals (presented in my hometown), I wrote and produced promotional materials for all media on shoestring budgets, and I coordinated all press, radio, and TV coverage of these crowd-overflowing events. | |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant | 1974 — 1976 |
| College of Visual and Performing Arts, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. | |
| Taught courses in 16mm film production; supervised the film editing lab. | |
| Production Assistant | 1974 |
| Tiburon Productions, Los Angeles, CA. | |
| Provided all-around production
assistance, took production stills, assisted with editing of “Bill
Daily's Hocus Pocus Gang” specials. (Student internship arranged by Syracuse University.) |
|
| Advertising Copywriter | 1973 |
| Rich Advertising, Buffalo, NY. | |
| Wrote advertising copy for print ads, sales brochures, TV commercials. | |
| Writer-Producer (Peace Corps Volunteer) | 1971— 1973 |
| Malaysian National Film Department, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. | |
| Wrote,
directed and edited short, motivational films in 35mm. Subjects included: promoting reading skills; tuberculosis case-finding; malaria eradication.
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| Administrative Coordinator (Peace Corps Volunteer) | 1968 — 1971 |
| Malaysian National Tuberculosis Control Program, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. | |
| Supervised the integration of the TB control program with the rural health centers in Malaysia's largest state while a Peace Corps Volunteer. | |
| ADDITIONAL, SPECIALIZED TRAINING | |
| The New Warrior Training Adventure The Mankind Project, Camp Whitman, Dresden, NY. |
May 2007 |
| Independent Feature Project/West, various
courses and seminars. IFP/West, Los Angeles, CA |
1987 — 1994
|
| American Film Institute, various courses
and seminars. AFI, Los Angeles, CA |
1987 — 1994
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| Acting for Directors Judith Weston, Los Angeles, CA |
1989 |
| Scriptwriting workshops, various teachers. SF State University, San Jose State University, UCLA extension, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, CA |
1980 — 1994
|
Writing Better Computer Software
Documentation |
1982
|
| Proposal Writing in Process San Francisco State University continuing education/ Grantspeople, San Francisco, CA |
1980
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| The Grantsmanship Center Training Program
(fund-raising for non-profits) The Grantsmanship Center, Los Angeles, CA |
1980
|
| Peace Corps Training —Epidemiology
of Tuberculosis; Malaysian language and culture. United States Peace Corps, University of Hawaii, Hilo, Hawaii. |
May — August 1968
|
| John-Michael Battaglia Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 316-4447 |
| GalileoII@aol.com |
| jmbattaglia@roadrunner.com |