Thomas DeSando LLC

2006-Present

Director - Videographer - Editor - Drone Pilot

Award-Winning Filmmaker & Director

Specializing in Sports Documentary, Corporate Branding, and Narrative Storytelling

Professional Profile

Multi-disciplined Director, DoP, and Editor with a track record of excellence in sports, education, and commercial cinematography. Known for a cinematic approach to documentary storytelling, I combine technical mastery of high-end cinema workflows with a keen eye for human-centric narratives.

Core Competencies

  • Direction & Vision: Directing crew on movement, lighting, and composition to enhance narrative impact; conducting high-stakes interviews for documentary to blend A-roll and B-roll effortlessly.

  • Technical Production: Full-scale production management, including comprehensive budgeting (equipment, crew, day rates) and logistics for multi-day shoots.

  • Cinematography & Gaffer Expertise: Expert in shaping light using various grip equipment (lights, flags, silks) and operating sophisticated cinema packages in diverse environments.

  • Post-Production & DIT: Professional RAW/Log workflows (R3D, C-Log, S-Log) and media management via ShotPut Pro; lead editor for narrative features, documentaries, commercials and shorts.

Key Highlights & Projects

  • Lead Director/DoP/Editor, “The ROAD to…”: Helmed an immersive documentary series chronicling athletic programs, focusing on school tradition, athlete psychology, and high-stakes competition.

  • Live Sports & Broadcast: Captured over 1,500 live sporting events for major networks including Fox Sports, CBS Sports, and FloSports.

  • Aerial Operations: FAA Part 107 Certified UAS Pilot providing high-production-value aerial cinematography.

  • Consulting & Leadership: Managed and mentored cinematographers on technical specifications; consulted school administrators and students on the integration of film and digital media.

Technical Toolkit

  • Cameras: RED, Z-Cam, Nikon, Canon (Cinema Line).

  • Optics: DZO, Sigma, Rokinon, Nikon, Laowa (Anamorphic expertise).

  • Lighting & Audio: Aputure, Nanlite; Sanken, Rode, DJI audio systems.

  • Software & Platforms: Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, ShotPut Pro, Premium Beat, Artlist.io.

Selected Client List

Corporate: Biodesix, Hinge Health. Malibu Canyon Wealth Management

Television: Idea House: Mountain Modern, Mission Unstoppable, DIY SCI, The UnXplained

Production Houses: Roku, Religion of Sports, Prometheus Studios, Radley Studios, CBS Sports

Educational Partners: Carthage College, Saint Ignatius, Joliet Catholic, Lemont, Lutheran, Lockport, Lincoln-Way West, Naperville North, Monarch, Broomfield, Boulder, Carl Sandburg, Holy Family, Manhattan Junior High, Broomfield

IMS Productions

April 2005 - August 2006

Editor - Camera Operator - Grip - Gaff - Production Assistant

· Managed and oversaw editing projects from pre-production through post-production delivery.

·      Maintained close relationships with the company President, Lead Director, Producer, Sales Director, Editors and Clients.

·      Utilized sound design, color correction, compositing, musical composition, created foley audio, key framing, masks, chroma keying and other editing conventions.

·      Digital formats were based on source material from MiniDV, Digibeta and tape storage systems.

·      Coordinated APM music as a primary source of audio design for musical implementation.

·      Export final edits for deliverables.

·      Delegated with gaff, grip, assistant camera, camera operator duties along with occasional 2nd unit camera assignments while working on set.

·      Setup camera, lens attachments, jib, doorway dolly, lighting equipment, microphone and other technical elements on set.

·    Organized tapes, labeling tapes on set, export final edit for archiving.

·    Interviewed talent on camera for documentary content.

·      Excelled in various on-set technical roles as focus puller, b-camera operator, steadicam assistant and dolly grip.

·      Software utilized - Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Compressor, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack, Color, Photoshop and Illustrator.

Client listings include: GNC, Colorado Springs Utilities, National Homeland Defense Fund, Memorial Hospital, Choosing the Best, Building 429, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Calvary Church, Charlotte’s Optical, Church Extension Investment Fund.

Kage Equipment Rental - University of Colorado - April 2008 - January 2010

Kage Volunteer

·      Coordinated daily distribution of film stock, cameras, lighting equipment, dollies, flags and other equipment necessary for film sets to undergraduate and graduate students.

·      Assisted students and teachers with film related questions, demo equipment and provide film knowledge and understanding.

·      Granted student access to restricted areas throughout campus.

·      Verified and inspected equipment before and after rentals. 

·      Transferred footage from film to digital files.

·      Provided technical support for teachers and students with various equipment and technology.

·  Utilized software to checkout/check-in equipment based on assigned number codes for equipment, camera stock, editing time and other film related gear.

Education

University of Colorado - Bachelor of Fine Arts - Film Production 2006 - 2011

University of Colorado - Bachelor of Arts - Film Critical Studies 2006 - 2011

Professional Experience