Daniel Grudovich
Video Editor Motion Graphics Designer Photojournalist
Video Editor Motion Graphics Designer Photojournalist
This montage showcases a selection of my recent work, collaborating with an up-and-coming YouTuber and TikToker. From eye-catching edits to dynamic motion graphics, he gave me total creative freedom to create visuals and source elements to help bring his vision to life.
With over 20 years of experience in broadcast television production, I bring a level of polish and expertise to vertical video content that sets it apart. While the format may be different, the principles of great storytelling remain the same: pace, visual appeal, and sound. By blending my broadcast background with a keen understanding of what resonates in the fast-paced world of social media, I create impactful, high-quality videos that capture attention and deliver memorable stories in every frame.
This video originally served as the impactful cold open for Fox 5's Stolen Innocence special, a hard-hitting investigative report addressing child exploitation and trafficking. I was tasked with editing a compelling introduction that would immediately capture the audience's attention and set the tone for the story. After the initial broadcast, I reimagined the footage for social media platforms, adapting it to a vertical format to maximize engagement and reach.
The project involved not only fine-tuning the pacing and emotional weight of the piece but also ensuring the content would resonate in the digital landscape, where shorter, more direct visuals are key. This work highlights my ability to adapt content across multiple formats while preserving its emotional and journalistic impact.
Fox 5 broadcasts two-minute promotional segments during NFL halftime breaks, designed to captivate viewers with stunning imagery and rapid-fire editing. With green-screen anchor reads in hand, access to Envato Elements, and just 36 hours, I embraced total creative liberty to produce content that pushes the boundaries of traditional news promos. Repurposing After Effects templates for broadcast promotion involves significant design customization to ensure the content feels fresh and relevant. Adding on-screen dialogue requires precision back-timing and careful speed manipulation. Dynamic sound design is the final and paramount step in tying it all together.
Even with a jackpot win today, I'd remain deeply immersed in this work tomorrow. For me, bringing pixels to life is nothing short of magic. It’s a passion that fuels my every day as I've been privileged to shoot and edit some fantastic projects.
Many of the 3D logos featured were created by extruding 2D vector shapes in Element 3D, Blender and Unreal Engine.
Visual storytelling is deeply meaningful to me. It's about more than just creating compelling images; it's about capturing moments, stirring emotions, and crafting narratives that resonate with others, offering a glimpse into different worlds and perspectives.
All of these stories were shot and edited by me, with the first three receiving Emmy nominations. The first two and the final story are nat-sound packages, where I weave together the interview subject’s sound bites to tell the full narrative. This storytelling approach relies on using brief bursts of natural sound to immerse the viewer in the scene and create a more visceral connection with the content.
I had the privilege of spearheading the branding efforts for Fox 5's local programming. This encompassed producing, filming, and editing show intros, along with creating tailored graphics for the studio's LED walls and screens. These elements were instrumental in transforming the ambiance and atmosphere of the studio, enhancing the distinct look and feel of each show.
Good Day DC celebrates Halloween like no other station in the market. I had the honor of being their trusted editor, responsible for rapidly delivering mock-show intros and music videos to complement the morning team's over-the-top approach to this festive occasion. The final example features a song mashup that also showcases my passion for remixing music.
Good Day DC celebrated the launch of Ghostbusters' Frozen Empire, completely redefining my notion of a "great project." Teaming up with the local Chesapeake Ghostbusters, I had the honor of overseeing every aspect of production, from directing and shooting to animation and editing, resulting in a ridiculously fun edition to the morning show's shenanigans.
Most of this content required extensive post-production camera tracking for 3D object compositing and detailed rotoscoping for foreground elements. The proton beams were created using custom 3D particle emitters, while the light reflections on the subjects’ faces were generated with animated masks to enhance realism.