jim bruno instructional design & media

Instructional Design, eLearning, Digital Media

2012-01-10T12:34:00.000-06:00

Hands on, minds on! If one's hands are 'on,' so, too, is one's mind.
— My personal philosophy of learning

Jim Bruno, Ph.D., is a highly experienced, creative, and award-winning instructional designer, eLearning specialist, educator, digital media producer, filmmaker, and thinker with a wide-ranging skill set in technology research, development, and problem solving, including online eLearning platform/general systems architecture and application development, project management, instructional design, courseware and training development, technical writing and support documentation; an exceptional 15-year track record developing award-winning media-based linear and interactive products; 10 years university-level research, teaching, training, and course coordination experience; bilingual in English and Spanish, with additional competencies in Portuguese, Italian, and French.

For more information, please contact: jimbruno@gmail.com or 512.680.2088

Professional Experience

INDEPENDENT CONSULTING | Jim Bruno Digital and Interactive Media

UmpHub.com, Austin, TX, Oct 2011-Present: Instructional Design; Media Consultation, Production, and Post-Production; Web-Related Services in Moodle for new startup learning venture, including HD video editing in CS5.5 and AfterEffects work
MTS Technologies, San Antonio, TX, March 2011-Present; various projects including:
--Bacardi USA: Sales Curriculum Analysis and Redesign Consulting
--State Farm: Claims Handler Courses Instructional Design
--General Services Administration: Subcontracting Course Instructional Design
Six Red Marbles/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, MA. Instructional Design/Review: K-8 Interactive Science, March 6, 2011-Present
Victory Productions, Worcester, MA. Instructional Design/eLearning Consulting on Professional Development environment for educators, Dec '10 - January '11
NanoInk, Inc., Skokie, IL: Curriculum Development/Lead Instructional Designer for Introduction to NanoScience 101 (College, University Science); Instructional Designer/Writer for 450 page Student Lab Guide and Instructors Resources (Summer 2009 - Spring 2010)
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX: Adjunct Professor, School of Business and Management / Digital MBA Program. Course: Technology Evolution in Digital Media with a focus on Disruptive Innovation (Spring '09)
Follett Digital Resources, McHenry, IL: Technology Training, Marketing Media Development and Enterprise Architecture R&D (Winter, Spring '09)
BearingPoint, Austin, TX: Technology/Technical Writing, Proposal Development (Fall/Winter '08)
Troux Technologies, Austin, TX: Technology Curriculum Design/Development ('07-Winter '09)
The College Board, New York, NY: eLearning Architecture Consulting: Focus on SIS/Assessment ('08)
Faron West, Austin, TX: Executive Producer of "Happiness Is" (2009) Feature Documentary, Other: HD Camera/Sound
Kineo, Brighton, Great Britain: Instructional Design, HD Video Production (Winter '08)
Houghton RiverDeep, Dublin, Boston, Chicago: User Experience/eLearning System Development ('08)
Wordsmith & Company, Austin, TX: Instructional Design/Technical Writing ('07-'08)
Houghton Mifflin/McDougal Littell, Evanston, IL: Technical Writing: Technology Support/U.I. Review ('07)
Accenture/MicroAssist, Austin, TX: Technical Writing, Technology Training to Technology Trainers; Call Center Supervisor Curriculum Development ('05-'06)

(2001-2002)

Hewlett-Packard/Compaq: Technology Strategy Development
Thomson Learning/Harcourt College: Project Design, Management, Development, Instructional Design
Cortex Interactive: Project Design, Management, Development, Instructional Design
Clear Pictures: AfterEffects/Titles Consulting
Top Dog Productions: Website/AfterEffects Consulting
Umlaut, LLC/McGraw-Hill Education: Digital Video Development/Compression
Eric Peper and Associates: Technology Research, Strategy and Development White Papers
Patricia Platt Independent Writing: Instructional Design Analysis
Holt Rinehart & Winston/Harcourt: Instructional Technology Review/Analyses

HARCOURT | HOLT, RINEHART & WINSTON, Austin, TX

Development Manager, eLearning Technology (2004-5/13/05)
eLearning Systems Architect (2002-2004)
eLearning Consultant (Independent; 2001-2002)
Senior Project Manager II, New Media (1999-2001)
Senior Project Manager, Multimedia (1997-1999)
Project Manager, Multimedia (1995-1997)

THE LEARNING COMPANY, Knoxville, TN

Instructional Designer/Content Development Specialist (1994-1995)

UNIVERSITY-LEVEL TEACHING EXPERIENCE/ EDUCATION

Adjunct Professor | St. Edward's Univ., Austin, TX (Spring '09)
Visiting Professor | California State Univ., San Bernardino (Fall 1993)
Assistant Professor | University of Texas at Austin (1990-1993)
Ph.D., Instructor | University of Wisconsin—Madison (1985-1990)
M.A., Instructor | Illinois State University (1982-1984)

Services and Deliverables

GENERAL SERVICES

eLearning Systems and Product Design
Learning Management and Student Information System Design
Instructional Design
Technology Project Management and Development
User Support and Documentation
Technical Research and Writing

TYPICAL DELIVERABLES

Product and System Requirements Analysis and Documentation
Content/Discourse Analysis, Documentation, and Process Boilerplating
Product and System Definition Specifications
Functional Analysis, Flow, and Use Case Scenarios and Specifications
Instructional Design Analysis and Documentation, including "Instructional Design Bible"
Templatization Wireframes and Supporting Documents.
Technical Specifications
Instructional Solution Planning and Modeling
Proof of Concept/Prototyping Services
Usability Studies/User-Centered Design Services
Project Management Services
Turn Key Production Services

Harcourt/Holt, Rinehart and Winston eLearning Accomplishments

NOTE: SINCE 2005, Holt, Rinehart and Winston’s (now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) web presence went from zero in 1997 to one that currently has tens of millions of registered users, generates billions of hits annually, contains 750 eProducts, and provides web-based resources for an additional 500 traditional print products.

ASSESSMENT PLATFORM CREATOR/DEVELOPER (2002-2005)
Led requirements analysis, design, development, versioning, and product development team for Holt Online Assessment Platform (Version 3.2) which supports integrated formative standards-based NCLB testing for 160 middle and high school textbook programs (approximately 750,000 current test items); in a 9-month period (8/1/04 to 4/30/05) 4.5 million test items were served to students; 60 to 80 additional programs (each with approx. 20-80 tests per product) were to be added between 2005 and 2006.

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CREATOR/ARCHITECT (2001-2003)
Led nearly all phases of LMS component development to support (per the 9-month period from 8/1/04 to 4/30/05) over 42,000 teacher registrants, 74,000 classes, and nearly 900,000 students, including Customer Registration, Student Information and Records (SIS), Class Manager, Assignment Manager, Student Notebook Manager, and Instructional Group Manager.

INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT AUTHORING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DEVELOPER (1998-2003)
Responsible for leading analysis, design, customization, and implementation of an online dynamic content authoring and delivery system, including technologies relating to 508 Compliance, product customization and personalization, dynamic scope and sequence, on-screen highlighting and annotation, and integration with other existing interactive content authoring/delivery applications. During the above defined 9-month period, a majority of HRW’s 22,588,681 visits (1.12 billion hits) were served by framework components that I developed or co-developed.

eLearning/Media/Interactive Titles Produced/Awards

THE LEARNING COMPANY
1995
Learn to Speak Spanish 5.0
Writer/Producer/Instructional Designer
Ranked in the Top 10 Best Selling Educational CD-ROM Titles of 1995
Learn to Speak French 4.0
Writer/Producer/Instructional Designer
Learn to Speak English 6.0
Writer/Producer/Instructional Designer
Spanish Pronunciation Tutor 1.0
Writer/Producer/Instructional Designer
French Pronunciation Tutor 1.0
Producer/Instructional Designer
German Pronunciation Tutor 1.0
Producer/Instructional Designer

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
1996
Ven conmigo!, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM Program Level 1
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer
Gold International Cinema in Industry (CINDY) in Educational Media (1998)
Silver Apple Award (National Educational Media Network, 1998)
Eddie Award, Best Software in Foreign Language (1999)
SciencePlus Interactive Explorations, Level Green
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer
Honorable Mention, International CINDY in Educational Media (1997)
Silver Axiem Award (Absolute Excellence in Electronic Media, 1999)

1997
Communication @ Work Video Program
Lead Producer/Writer
Holt Presentation-Maker Software
Licensor of 3rd Party Software; Project Manager
Allez, viens!, Holt French Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 1
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer
Silver International CINDY in Educational Media (1998)
Silver Apple Award (National Educational Media Network, 1998)
¡Ven conmigo!, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 2
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer
SciencePlus Interactive Explorations, Level Red
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer
Bronze International Cinema in Industry (CINDY) in Educational Media (1998)
SciencePlus Interactive Explorations, Level Blue
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer
Bronze International Cinema in Industry (CINDY) in Educational Media (1998)

1998
Komm Mit, Holt German Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 1
Executive Producer/Consultant
Silver Apple Award (National Educational Media Network, 1998)
Komm Mit, Holt German Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 2
Executive Producer/Consultant
Ven conmigo!, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 3
Executive Producer/Consultant
Allez, viens!, Holt French Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 3
Executive Producer/Consultant
En camino, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer
Elements of Literature: 600 Web Page Resources for Middle and High School Literature
Producer

1999
Interactive Instructional Content Generator (Jupiter)
Oracle/NetDynamics 5.0 Brower-based content development/asset management application/system
Lead Project Manager of Research and Development
Holt Science and Technology Interactive Explorations, Levels 1-3
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer

2000-2001
Elements of Language Web Site (Grades 6-12)
Lead Producer/Instructional Designer
GeoTreks Web Site (Middle School Geography)
Technical and Instructional Design Consultant

2002
Biology Active Learner Interactive CD-ROM and Website (University Level)
Harcourt College Publishers (Thomson Learning)
Lead Project Consultant/Manager/Instructional Designer (for Cortex Interactive)
Texas Education Award 2003

2003-May 2005
Holt, Rinehart and Winston (Harcourt Education)
eLearning Architecture/Technology Development
Holt Online Assessment Platform (Versions 1.0-3.2)
my.hrw.com Learning Management System Components
Diverse User (Teacher/Student) Experience-based Applications
District, School Administration Research and Development

PORTFOLIO: Nanoscience Curriculum Development and Instructional Design (2009-2010)

2011-02-21T08:24:00.004-06:00

NanoInk, Inc., Skokie, IL: Curriculum Development/Lead Instructional Designer for Introduction to NanoScience 101 (College, University Science) from planning, prototyping and representative curriculum samples to production and workflows; Curriculum Designer/Writer for 450-page Student Lab Guide and Instructors Resources (Summer 2009 - Spring 2010)

All materials above are openly available as samples from the NanoProfessor.Net website, along with the following program description:

NanoProfessor is an exciting and comprehensive Nanoscience Education Program combining cutting-edge desktop nanofabrication instruments with a stimulating curriculum. Students will be immersed into the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology through real hands-on experience in building custom-engineered nanoscale structures. With an incredible range of new applications from building solar cells to fighting cancer cells, nanotechnology is the future of science and engineering education.

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“Jim is a pleasure to work with from the first moment of interaction to the very last. He's exceptionally bright and determined to set the proper stage for a project. Diligence, passion, and creativity guide his management of the daily details while he maintains a continued sense of the larger purpose and brings insight to the daily grind that others might lose while buried deadlines and other challenges. Jim is a true leader and a man of tremendous wisdom. I look forward to every opportunity I have to work with him!”

Jennifer Henson, Editorial Director, Umlaut, LLC/MadEye Editorial worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010

PORTFOLIO: 'Happiness Is' Documentary Film — Executive Producer (2007-2009)

2011-02-21T08:21:00.005-06:00

‘Happiness Is’ — The Myths and Truths of the “Pursuit of Happiness” in America
Now screening worldwide at Hulu.com
Recently picked up by Sundance Films for broadcast
My credits on the film include: Executive Producer, HD Camera, Sound

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“Jim is an amazing leader who helped our struggling film project HAPPINESS IS regain momentum. His positive energy was limitless and his ability to lend his ideas to the final outcome paid off greatly. Jim has defined himself not only as a team player but also as a team leader who is willing to do what it takes to reach the common goal. I highly recommend him! Andrew Shapter”

Andrew Shapter, Writer + Director + President, Andrew Shapter/Roadwings worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010

PORTFOLIO: Instructor-led Technology Curriculum Design & Development (2007-2009)

2011-02-20T11:02:00.005-06:00

TROUX TECHNOLOGIES - BUSINESS OBJECTS (CRYSTAL REPORTS) ADVANCED REPORT DEVELOPMENT
SAMPLE OF INSTRUCTOR-LED HANDS-ON TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
Between 2007 and 2009, I revised or authored approximately 12 instructor-led courses for Troux Technologies. I also participated in an advisory capacity on a number of online proposals and projects.

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"I hired Jim multiple times to create engaging classroom training programs for a highly complex suite of software. What I appreciated most about working with Jim was his ability to take a fresh, creative approach to what could otherwise have been dull-dull-dull training. He consistently delivered fantastic material. He was a true professional, and great to work with.”

Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative

Barbara Opyt hired Jim as a training development in 2005, and hired Jim more than once — March 29, 2010

PORTFOLIO: Corporate eLearning Module (2008-2009)

2011-02-20T09:24:00.003-06:00

Kineo HSBC Learning Module (Training, 2008-2009)
Jim Bruno, Lead Instructional Designer on Module
http://kineoreview1.co.uk/hsbc/module3/main.htm

For a complete case study of the full program by Kineo, see: http://kineo.com/case-studies/hsbc-e-learning-case-study.html

PORTFOLIO: Learning Management System and Tools (2003-2005)

2011-02-20T09:21:00.007-06:00

Jim Bruno, Lead Technologist and Architect
Lead Instructional Designer, including UI, UE, Interactivity
Includes Class Manager, Assignment Manager, Student Performance Center

SINCE 2005: Holt, Rinehart and Winston’s (now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) web presence went from zero in 1997 to one that currently has tens of millions of registered users, generates billions of hits annually, contains 750 eProducts, and provides web-based resources for an additional 500 traditional print products.

-------- -------- --------- --------

“Jim and I met during new employee orientation at the old Holt educational publishing company in 1995. We were numbers 5 and 6 in a rapidly growing "new media" department and shared a passion and excitement for what we had signed on to do. What a time. That passion and excitement IS Jim Bruno.... We collaborated on some of the most excellent educational product development efforts of the last 20 yrs. - somewhere there are plaques and statues commemorating those products. Jim with the huge ideas and the ability to execute. I've seen Jim build consensus around good ideas when others failed. I've seen him grind out the details of a project over months of a development and production marathon. And we laughed - OMG we laughed. What a wicked sense of humor wrapped inside a genuinely compassionate, honest and generous human. I'm proud to be Jim's colleague. I'd love to work with him again.”

Ken Whiteside, Product Development Mgr., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 31, 2010

PORTFOLIO: Holt Online Assessment (2003-2005)

2011-02-20T08:58:00.003-06:00

Jim Bruno, Lead System Application Technologist/Architect
Lead Instructional (UI, UE, Interactivity) Designer

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“Jim is a dedicated professional with a strong work ethic. He is a 10 on the scale of eLearning technology knowledge, communication skills, organization and planning. He is personable and a joy to work with. I was fortunate to work with Jim, and I look forward to work with him again. He is extremely intelligent and articulate, his positive attitude, his overall knowledge, his sense of humor, and his goal oriented demeanor, it just made it so easy to do the work! His work was always timely, professional, and indicated strong attention to details. He is a tremendous asset, I strongly recommend Jim Bruno.”

Adriana Bardin-Prestwood, Project Manager/ Sr. Production Coordinator, HARCOURT - Holt Rinehart and Winston worked with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010

PORTFOLIO: World Languages Online (2004-2005)

2011-02-19T12:32:00.003-06:00

¡Exprésate!, Level 1 Spanish (ENHANCED E-EDITION) 2006, Holt, Rinehart & Winston
Jim Bruno, Developer of Authoring/LMS Applictions
Lead Instructional Designer on this product/series (Model for Spanish, French, German, Levels 1 & 2)

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“I worked with Jim on educational media products and it always has been a great pleasure, not only from a team work perspective but also from the perspective of relying on his vast expertise in technology, e-learning, language instruction and pedagogy. Jim brings great knowledge to the table and is able to get things done under tight production schedules and under budget. Jim is an asset for any team.”

Konstanze Alex Brown, Global Internal Communications Dell, Inc. — May 1, 2010

PORTFOLIO: College Biology 101 (2001)

2011-02-19T12:10:00.006-06:00

‘Thomson Biology Active Learner’
Jim Bruno, Lead Instructional Designer, User Experience & Interactivity Designer (Flash-based)(2001) for Cortex Interactive (Debby Kalk) and Thomson Learning (CD-ROM & Online Web)
Texas Education Award 2003

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“Some instructional designers might think twice about tackling a sprawling, complex, highly technical project, but for Jim, it's just the kind of challenge he relishes. He will immerse himself in the content until he produces a dazzling final product - all the while maintaining his enthusiasm and social graces. He brings his wide knowledge and skills in the arts and digital media, along with academic and corporate experience, to find creative approaches to developing effective and engaging learning materials. Once you work with Jim, you will look for opportunities to do so again very soon.”

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative

Debby Kalk hired Jim as a Instructional Design in 2000, and hired Jim more than once — March 29, 2010

PORTFOLIO: World Languages Interactive CD-ROM Programs (1995-2000)

2011-02-19T11:24:00.013-06:00

Holt World Language Interactive CD-ROM Programs (1995-1999)

High School Levels 1-3 Spanish, French; Levels 1 & 2 German; Middle School Spanish A & B (10 total full-year courses)
Jim Bruno, Lead Program/Project Manager; Lead Instructional Designer (1995-1999)
Executive Producer of Level 3 Programs in 1998-2000

Ven conmigo!, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM Program Level 1
Gold International Cinema in Industry (CINDY) in Educational Media (1998)
Silver Apple Award (National Educational Media Network, 1998)
Eddie Award, Best Software in Foreign Language (1999)

Allez, viens!, Holt French Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 1
Silver International CINDY in Educational Media (1998)
Silver Apple Award (National Educational Media Network, 1998)

¡Ven conmigo!, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 2
Komm Mit, Holt German Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 1
Executive Producer/Consultant
Silver Apple Award (National Educational Media Network, 1998)

Komm Mit, Holt German Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 2
Executive Producer/Consultant

Ven conmigo!, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 3
Executive Producer/Consultant

Allez, viens!, Holt French Interactive CD-ROM Program, Level 3
Executive Producer/Consultant

En camino A & B, Holt Spanish Interactive CD-ROM
Lead Producer/Lead Instructional Designer

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“Jim and I worked on an extensive world languages product at HRW. I was delighted to collaborate with such an intelligent, empathetic, and enthusiastic leader. Jim and I worked with students and instructors to define and test the interactive product...with very successful results. Jim brings energy, brainpower, and a can-do spirit to any project he is involved in - I would work with him again anytime!”

Susan Michael, Design Director, Holt, Rinehart and Winston worked with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — April 5, 2010

“Jim is a seasoned veteran in the digital publishing and technology industry. He comes highly regarded and recognized by his peers and the industry as a leader in innovation and instructional design. His work helps shape today’s learning and teaching methodologies. I have had a great privilege working with Jim on several initiatives in an educational publishing setting. I find him to be extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his work of which will be part of lasting legacies to come.”

Jessica A. Bega, Senior Project Mgr II / Senior Producer, Harcourt Education (Holt, Rinehart and Winston) worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010

PORTFOLIO: Middle School Science (1995-1999)

2011-02-19T10:33:00.029-06:00

HOLT MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCEPLUS INTERACTIVE EXPLORATIONS (CD-ROM)
(CONSTRUCTIVIST, HANDS-ON DISCOVERY OF LIFE, EARTH, AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE)
Levels Green (6th), Red (7th), Blue (8th) Life, Earth, Physical
Jim Bruno, Lead Producer; Lead Instructional Designer (1995-1999)

SciencePlus Interactive Explorations, Level Green
Honorable Mention, International CINDY in Educational Media (1997)
Silver Axiem Award (Absolute Excellence in Electronic Media, 1999)

SciencePlus Interactive Explorations, Level Red
Bronze International Cinema in Industry (CINDY) in Educational Media (1998)

SciencePlus Interactive Explorations, Level Blue
Bronze International Cinema in Industry (CINDY) in Educational Media (1998)

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“I consider it an honor to have worked with Jim Bruno. Jim was a Senior Project Manager and Instructional Designer while I ran the New Media at Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Jim's knowledge of how people learn and his ability to use media to engage learners and improve learning is amazing. Jim is an outstanding collaborator, problem solver, and leader with the ability to work with diverse groups of people to effectively design and execute e-Learning solutions. His enthusiasim and drive to develop products that improve learning is contageous to everyone he works with. In addition to his advanced instructional design and project management skills, Jim is a wonderful teacher and mentor to his collegues and clients. Jim is one of the most intellegent and dedicated professionals that I have ever worked with. He is a strategic thinker who can apply the use of technology to help companies achieve their business objectives, improve their performance, and improve learning for their internal and external customers. Above all, Jim is an outstanding person. I would happily recommend him to anyone.”

Randy Merriman, VP, New Media, Holt, Rinehart and Winston managed Jim indirectly at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — April 1, 2010

“Dr. Jim Bruno truly is a renaissance man. He is creative, curious, analytical, highly intelligent, competent, personable, fair, dependable and honest. He works hard, is a team player and he does great work. Jim Bruno is an extraordinary fellow. Hire him.”

Melissa LeBoeuf Tothero, Senior Editor/Writer/ Designer, Holt, Rinehart and Winston

worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 30, 2010

Moby – 'Be The One' (Hello, Future. A Music Video Challenge)

2011-02-18T15:13:00.001-06:00

It takes courage and love to create!
It takes love and courage to let go...

Modern interpretive artist, Carol Stensrud, took in her second pregnant foster dog, Puki, a Blue Heeler mix (and perhaps her fourth or fifth foster dog since moving to Austin from New Zealand a few years back) in support of www.austinpetsalive.org 's no kill mission. Though the puppies are all heading out to new homes, Puki will be permanently adopted by Carol. Puki will no doubt inspire the creation of many, many more works by this free-flowing post-modern Chagall.

For more information about artist, Carol Stensrud, see www.carolstensrud.com.

For more information about pet adoption in Austin, TX, see www.austinpetsalive.org. Please support the APA!

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A short documentary-style music video by Jim Bruno.
For more information, see www.jimbruno.com and www.filmiclanguage.com.
Directed, filmed, edited, and color grading by Jim Bruno.
Shot on Canon 5DMKII and 7D Cameras.

'ashley in one take' – a photographic session (1080p)

2011-02-17T06:59:00.000-06:00

A short film by Jim Bruno.
For more information, see jimbruno.com and filmiclanguage.com.
Filmed, edited, and color grading by Jim Bruno.
Final grading, post-production, and up-res to 1080 in April 2011.

The short film features the talented and classically beautiful model/actress, Ashley Whelan.

Enrico Caruso sings 'Crucifixus' from Gioacchino Rossini's 'Messe Solennelle' for Victor Records at Trinity Church in Camden, New Jersey on September 16, 1920. This recording is the very last recording Caruso made in his life. He died 10 months later, on August 2nd, 1921, at the age of 48.

From Rossini's score:

"crucifixus
crucifixus
etiam pro nobis
etiam pro nobis
sub Pontio Pilato
sub Pontio Pilato
passus
passus
et sepultus est
passus
passus
et sepultus est"

A hearty thank you to Director/Photographer Andrew Shapter for inviting me to take part in this small project as second cameraman. Thanks also to Tanner Ferguson for his assistance, especially with my equipment and failing battery.

Shot using a Canon 7D in Native 60 FPS at 720p.
Up-Res-ed to 1080p with final grading/post-processing in April 2011.
Edited with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.
Color grading in Red Giant Software Magic Bullet Colorista 2, Looks, and Adobe AfterEffects.

Brilliant lights. Shining bright.

Kids and Happiness

2010-12-12T10:48:00.002-06:00

What do kids know about happiness that adults dont? Gretchen Rubin — author of best-selling book 'The Happiness Project' — explains in a short 1 minute clip: http://bit.ly/foJahe

‘Happiness Is’ — The Myths and Truths of the “Pursuit of Happiness” in America

2010-12-11T10:18:00.002-06:00

'tulip tree' – a short film by jim bruno

2010-11-27T12:51:00.009-06:00

'tulip tree' (9x16 aspect) from jim bruno on Vimeo.

'tulip tree'
a short film by jim bruno
filmed, edited, and color grading by jim bruno
music by moby, 'across,' (licensed at mobygratis.com)
photographs courtesy of the national weather service
shot on a canon 5d camera in granville, illinois, usa
© 2010 jimbruno.com

What People Say...

2010-10-07T10:29:00.010-06:00

...About Jim Bruno (Excerpts from LinkedIn.com)
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“I worked with Jim on educational media products and it always has been a great pleasure, not only from a team work perspective but also from the perspective of relying on his vast expertise in technology, e-learning, language instruction and pedagogy. Jim brings great knowledge to the table and is able to get things done under tight production schedules and under budget. Jim is an asset for any team.”

Konstanze Alex Brown, Global Internal Communications Dell, Inc. — May 1, 2010

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“Jim and I worked on an extensive world languages product at HRW. I was delighted to collaborate with such an intelligent, empathetic, and enthusiastic leader. Jim and I worked with students and instructors to define and test the interactive product...with very successful results. Jim brings energy, brainpower, and a can-do spirit to any project he is involved in - I would work with him again anytime!”

Susan Michael, Design Director, Holt, Rinehart and Winston worked with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — April 5, 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I consider it an honor to have worked with Jim Bruno. Jim was a Senior Project Manager and Instructional Designer while I ran the New Media at Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Jim's knowledge of how people learn and his ability to use media to engage learners and improve learning is amazing. Jim is an outstanding collaborator, problem solver, and leader with the ability to work with diverse groups of people to effectively design and execute e-Learning solutions. His enthusiasim and drive to develop products that improve learning is contageous to everyone he works with. In addition to his advanced instructional design and project management skills, Jim is a wonderful teacher and mentor to his collegues and clients. Jim is one of the most intellegent and dedicated professionals that I have ever worked with. He is a strategic thinker who can apply the use of technology to help companies achieve their business objectives, improve their performance, and improve learning for their internal and external customers. Above all, Jim is an outstanding person. I would happily recommend him to anyone.”

Randy Merriman, VP, New Media, Holt, Rinehart and Winston managed Jim indirectly at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — April 1, 2010

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“Jim and I met during new employee orientation at the old Holt educational publishing company in 1995. We were numbers 5 and 6 in a rapidly growing "new media" department and shared a passion and excitement for what we had signed on to do. What a time. That passion and excitement IS Jim Bruno. Well plus he's brilliant - not just PhD smart, I'm talking brilliant. We collaborated on some of the most excellent educational product development efforts of the last 20 yrs. - somewhere there are plaques and statues commemorating those products. Jim with the huge ideas and the ability to execute. I've seen Jim build consensus around good ideas when others failed. I've seen him grind out the details of a project over months of a development and production marathon. And we laughed - OMG we laughed. What a wicked sense of humor wrapped inside a genuinely compassionate, honest and generous human. I'm proud to be Jim's colleague. I'd love to work with him again.”

Ken Whiteside, Product Development Mgr., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 31, 2010
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“Dr. Jim Bruno truly is a renaissance man. He is creative, curious, analytical, highly intelligent, competent, personable, fair, dependable and honest. He works hard, is a team player and he does great work. Jim Bruno is an extraordinary fellow. Hire him.”

Melissa LeBoeuf Tothero, Senior Editor/Writer/ Designer, Holt, Rinehart and Winston

worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 30, 2010

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“Jim is a pleasure to work with from the first moment of interaction to the very last. He's exceptionally bright and determined to set the proper stage for a project. Diligence, passion, and creativity guide his management of the daily details while he maintains a continued sense of the larger purpose and brings insight to the daily grind that others might lose while buried deadlines and other challenges. Jim is a true leader and a man of tremendous wisdom. I look forward to every opportunity I have to work with him!”

Jennifer Henson, Editorial Director, Umlaut, LLC/MadEye Editorial worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010
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“Jim is an amazing leader who helped our struggling film project HAPPINESS IS regain momentum. His positive energy was limitless and his ability to lend his ideas to the final outcome paid off greatly. Jim has defined himself not only as a team player but also as a team leader who is willing to do what it takes to reach the common goal. I highly recommend him! Andrew Shapter”

Andrew Shapter, Writer + Director + President, Andrew Shapter/Roadwings worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010

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“Jim is a seasoned veteran in the digital publishing and technology industry. He comes highly regarded and recognized by his peers and the industry as a leader in innovation and instructional design. His work helps shape today’s learning and teaching methodologies. I have had a great privilege working with Jim on several initiatives in an educational publishing setting. I find him to be extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his work of which will be part of lasting legacies to come.”

Jessica A. Bega, Senior Project Mgr II / Senior Producer, Harcourt Education (Holt, Rinehart and Winston) worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010
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“Some instructional designers might think twice about tackling a sprawling, complex, highly technical project, but for Jim, it's just the kind of challenge he relishes. He will immerse himself in the content until he produces a dazzling final product - all the while maintaining his enthusiasm and social graces. He brings his wide knowledge and skills in the arts and digital media, along with academic and corporate experience, to find creative approaches to developing effective and engaging learning materials. Once you work with Jim, you will look for opportunities to do so again very soon.”

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative

Debby Kalk hired Jim as a Instructional Design in 2000, and hired Jim more than once — March 29, 2010

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“Jim is a dedicated professional with a strong work ethic. He is a 10 on the scale of eLearning technology knowledge, communication skills, organization and planning. He is personable and a joy to work with. I was fortunate to work with Jim, and I look forward to work with him again. He is extremely intelligent and articulate, his positive attitude, his overall knowledge, his sense of humor, and his goal oriented demeanor, it just made it so easy to do the work! His work was always timely, professional, and indicated strong attention to details. He is a tremendous asset, I strongly recommend Jim Bruno.”

Adriana Bardin-Prestwood, Project Manager/ Sr. Production Coordinator, HARCOURT - Holt Rinehart and Winston worked with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — March 29, 2010
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“I hired Jim multiple times to create engaging classroom training programs for a highly complex suite of software. What I appreciated most about working with Jim was his ability to take a fresh, creative approach to what could otherwise have been dull-dull-dull training. He consistently delivered fantastic material. He was a true professional, and great to work with.”

Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative

Barbara Opyt hired Jim as a training development in 2005, and hired Jim more than once — March 29, 2010

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“I worked with Jim on a quite challenging and demanding project, and felt most fortunate to have him as our team lead. He brought out the best of everyone in our group, and leveraged each of our skill sets to solve what first appeared to be an impossible task. Not only did he inspire our team, but also managed to inspire an initially reluctant group of learners. He's creative, tenacious, dedicated and genuinely cares about his work and the people he works with.”

Claire James, Instructional Designer/Technical Writer, MicroAssist worked directly with Jim at Jim Bruno Instructional Design — April 8, 2008

Video Stills: A Collection

2010-09-06T10:16:00.005-06:00

"elgin depot"

2010-08-27T08:08:00.000-06:00

"elgin depot" from jim bruno on Vimeo.

A short film by Jim Bruno.

Filmed, edited, and music by Jim Bruno.

Shot using a Canon 7D in Native 24P.
Edited with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.
Color grading in MagicBullet Looks.

Rough, improvisational piano by Jim Bruno.

Created from B-roll footage shot on 26 August 2010 for "trompo," my short documentary film currently in development.

Frequent location for major feature films, to learn more about Elgin, Texas, USA see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin,_Texas

The Elgin Depot was built in the "Brick Capital of the Southwest" in 1903 making it a "thriving depot town."

From elgintxchamber.com:

"The Elgin Depot Museum is located in the Union Depot at 14 Depot Square. The Depot was built in 1903. It was named not for the Union Pacific Railroad which now operates trains on the MKT tracks, but because it was used by two railroads, the Southern Pacific and the Katy.

The award winning restored Depot offers changing exhibits throughout the year. It also offers permanent displays exploring the history of the railroads, agriculture, early enterprising and outlines the role of transportation in the developement of the city. The museum has three exhibit rooms, photo archives, photo copying, Elgin history, railroad history, genealogy help, a permanent Elgin Area Veterans display and a gift shop that sells books about Elgin."

© 2010. jimbruno.com

Jeff and Nicole's Wedding Video

2010-08-13T11:17:00.004-06:00

The Riverwalk
San Antonio, Texas, USA
6 August 2010

Jeff and Nicole's Wedding Video (Full HD Res) from jim bruno on Vimeo.

Shot on Canon 5DMKII and 7D EOS Cameras.
Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, CS5
Grading in Red Giant Software Magic Bullet Looks and Colorista II.

A short film by Jim Bruno

© Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.

NARRATIVE FOUND: Noel Ojeda's "A Little Dog and a Cat"

2009-11-18T16:59:00.004-06:00

Found yesterday in the parking lot of the HEB at South Congress and Oltorf at 11:38 AM on Tuesday, 17 November.

Help me return original manuscript to rightful owner!

TECHNOLOGY: from the top of my tiny mountain, i can see that...

2009-11-13T07:25:00.011-06:00

from the top of my tiny mountain, i can see that...

• we're looking at screens – large, small, tiny – more and more.
• we're looking a swatches of paper less and less (i'm contemplating NOT replacing the printer that broke down 3 months ago... big imac screen, a laptop, and a small iphone screen allow me to view or carry virtually any doc! savin' trees!)
• we go online for news rather than wait for 5:30 pm cst and charlie gibson (sorry, charlie!)
• we've all but given up on paper letters, landlines, newspapers, magazines, records, tapes, CDs, wait-and-watch t.v.
• we're gradually giving up paper books for electronic ones (did i write that?)
• when we don't know something, we get online
• when we want to expand our networks, we go online
• when we want to dialog at a distance, we go online
• if we can get a book online, we go online and get it (when we don't have leisure time to enjoy the amazing walls of books at bookpeople!)
• if we're smart about our shopping, we go online first
• when we miss a broadcast and want to revisit an old one, we go online

while publishers slept, millions and millions more became digital publishers and that is only going to continue.

our lives are very different than they were a decade ago.

we work with every digital tool imaginable in our workplace, yet we require our children to pick up and enjoy the tools of the past? (something desperately wrong with that picture...).

if we transform, we survive.

if we don't, we wither and die.

FILM: "Happiness Is" on HuffingtonPost's Impact Today

2009-11-12T12:27:00.006-06:00

Word about our film, Happiness Is, appeared in today's HuffingtonPost's Impact Channel: FILM: Giving Back Will Make You Happy by Victoria Fine.

A big day for all of us on the "Happiness Is" team, indeed!

The film takes up the meaningful exploration of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and its relationship to giving, especially "giving of oneself toward the greater good."

We learned (and conclude in our film) that happiness is best achieved when folks engage in helping their communities through the simple act of giving.

We're excited to share what we've learned, and hope to help even more communities in need through our screening program across the country this year and next!

Our "Happiness Is" team is blessed, excited, and we hope to share our message with audiences across the country in 2009, 2010 and beyond.

Jim Bruno is Executive Producer of "Happiness Is."

FILM | TECHNOLOGY: Shot on Canon 5dMarkII

2009-10-27T05:10:00.003-06:00

Worked for Me from Alex Dacev on Vimeo.

MUSIC: Listen to Imogen Heap's Recent August Release: Ellipse

2009-10-16T09:29:00.004-06:00

Brilliant in its essence, minimalism, and (again) inventiveness.

FILM | TECHNOLOGY: Egypt, Lebanon, and Canon 5D MKII

2009-10-15T07:29:00.002-06:00

The documentary was shot entirely on the canon 5D MKll in and around Cairo and Beirut

Egypt / Lebanon Montage from Khalid Mohtaseb on Vimeo.

FILM | TECHNOLOGY: canon 5dmark2 music video

2009-09-25T14:12:00.008-06:00

a beautiful video shot with a remarkable camera.

Music video for Michelle Lewis, a Boston Singer/Songwriter. The track is from her upcoming EP, Broken, available at michellelewismusic.com.

Shot on a Canon 5D Mark II with a 50mm 1.2 prime lens and a 90mm tilt shift lens. Other equipment included a Rifa softbox, Lowel Pro Light and Flex Fill. Cut on Final Cut Pro, edited and mastered in ProRes 422.

SONG: "Pasan días"

2009-09-22T05:04:00.004-06:00

Soneto de Nicolás Guillén

Olas de gordo aceite son mis días:
pasan tan lentamente que no pasan.
Los hombres a mi lado miran, pasan,
lentos también como mis lentos días.

El futuro está ahí, lleno de días,
pero es un duro charco: por él pasan
lentas sombras de sueños cuando pasan...
Nocturnos cielos cúbrenme los días.

Aprendí, me enseñaron los que pasan
que siempre pasan, pasarán los días,
aunque a veces parezca que no pasan.

Supe además que a bordo de mis días
pasaré yo también con los que pasan,
ceniza en la ceniza de los días.

GOOD HUMAN: Sueño libertad -- I Dream Freedom by Juanes at Paz Sin Fronteras

2009-09-21T05:22:00.021-06:00

A master of "walking in someone else's shoes," Juanes dedicated his song, "Sueños" to all who are held captive around the world, especially the two young 11 year old brothers who are prisoners somewhere in the jungles of Colombia. All this and more at yesterday's Paz Sin Fronteras concert in Havanna, Cuba.

The song and its lead in were moving, and I cannot imagine one dry eye among more than 1 million participants and countless others who watched or listened to the concert remotely.

One clear message: freedom, love, and hope are universal for ALL human beings, especially for those who have been denied their freedom unjustly.

The message has played out all around the world, and it had decidedly (and finally) made its way to Havanna, Cuba live and in-person.

No border should exclude that message from being delivered, and Cuba is no exception. Period. End of message.

Juanes works to focus the spotlight on the word's youth as the future, and this performance was no exception.

I did a quick translation of Juanes' song to English – certainly not an official translation of it – but a quick one for those who may not know Spanish.

No matter the language, it is a song we might all be singing someday.

Music and Lyrics by Juanes

Sueño libertad para todos los que están
secuestrados hoy en medio de la selva
y sueño con la paz de mi pueblo desangrado
y con el final de esta injusta guerra

I dream of freedom for all who are
kidnapped today in the middle of the jungle
and I dream about peace for all the bloodshed
and about the end of this unjust war

Sueño con tantas cosas que
quiero que sean realidad
sueño con morir de viejo y no de soledad
sueño con ir a trabajar
y mucho más con regresar
cada noche a mi casa
para estar junto a ti

I dream about so many things
that I want to see real
I dream about dying of old age instead of solitude
I dream about going to work
and much more about returning
home every night
to be next to you

Y que no muera nunca nuestro amor
eso sueño yo
y que se fundan balas para hacer
campanas de libertad
y que no muera nunca nuestro amor
eso sueño yo

That our love never die
I dream
and that bullets are melted
to make liberty bells
that our love never die
that, I dream

Sueño despertar en un mundo sin dolor
pa’que el corazón no sufra más las penas
y sueño caminar por las calles de mi país
y solo encontrar paz

I dream about waking up in a world without pain
so that the heart doesn't suffer any more of it
that I'm walking through my country's streets
and all I find is peace

POEM: Dogs and Happiness

2009-09-20T07:01:00.001-06:00

i’m not as happy as my dogs are
if i were
i’d be soaking up summer’s day
lounging at the pool
or chewin’ on his brand new hiking shoes
you know, the ones we can't wait for him to put on
come on, man
put the laptop down
and put those suckers on!
what do you mean
'no laces?'

really i'm not as happy as my dogs are
if i were
i'd be waiting
just waiting for my next nuclear burst
of exploding energy
as i rip the door to shreds
beat an unraveling path down the carpeted hall
blow off the elevator
opt for the fire escape
race down eighteen flights of stairs
all the while barking at the railing
for kicks, mind you
and never once thinking about a leash...
hey, wait a minute
where's my leash?
hey, wait a minute
what's a leash?

i'm not as happy as my dogs are
i got too much yesterday in me
too many pipe dreams
too much world
too much gravity
a recession
and not enough now
not enough now?
come on, man
we don't care about now
we don't even know what now is...
...but gravity?
we know about gravity...
grrrrrrrrrrrrravity!

i'm not as happy as my dogs are
but i'm pretty darn close
especially when i'm buh-bye-ing yesterday
or unwrenching my pipe dreams
or when i stop trying to see beyond
what's right in front of me
hey look!
the sky!
hey look!
a poodle!
hey look!
he's smiling again...

these are true confessions:
i'm not as happy as my dogs are
but they are my dogs
and i'm trying
and they're starting to rub off on me
the good one, lucy
all heart
all heart
all heart
and even the cunning one i affectionately call
lestat or cujo or shadow or – lately – grinch
are you done?
put the laptop down
put those suckers on
and meet 'no laces' for a change!

yup, there you have it
as i say it thrice:
i'm not as happy as my dogs are
i'm not as happy as my dogs are
i'm not as happy as my dogs are

FILM | TECHNOLOGY: New Technology Doesn't Mean Better Storytelling

2009-09-18T07:15:00.008-06:00

Nova Invicta, prompted by a flurry of enthusiasm relating to the release of even greater, better, faster, and cheaper digital video cameras, posted the following remark on the RedUser.net site which I've been following lately.

Since I'm not able to more eloquently state this idea myself, the full text of the post is below:

Better, smaller, cheaper cameras don’t make better films; better filmmakers do. The digital revolution will probably quadruple the number of feature films shot and edited in a given year, but most of them will still be garbage, just like most of them are now. Look at the first video revolution ten or fifteen years ago – when Beta SP and Hi-band 8 became cheap. What is its legacy? Porno flicks. There won’t be any more artists born in a given year just because movies become cheaper to make. That particular form of insanity is in your DNA, and you either have it or you don’t. Pen and paper are the ultimate low-budget technology, but how many great novels and plays and poems are written every year? I don’t see a stream of Shakespeares being produced just because writing is inexpensive. Emotional clichés still lurk like land mines waiting to destroy you.

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=470655#post470655

So, once again we're back to content. Is there any real storytelling or story ideas behind the moving images? Are the characters compelling and of interest to the viewer? Are the ideas expressed through the medium worth expressing at all? Do we even care what happens?

That has been the challenge of the storyteller from the moment of the first recounted story: be it one told through gesture or dance, the painting of the hunt on the wall of a cave, the appearance of scratches on parchment so the juglar might remember the verses of the epic poem...

And this list will go on an on and on as the storyteller struggles to make real (realize) the moving images, sounds, and feelings that sometimes play in his or her head – a story, a message – until they are performed or "recorded" (put to heart, as in to learn something by heart) somewhere, somehow, sometime.

What an amazing perspective Nova Invicta has.

Right on!

HUMAN LEARNING: Altruism, Learning, and the Pursuit of Happiness

2009-09-17T06:20:00.010-06:00

Ultimately all learning must speak to both human potential and well being, for the welfare of humanity, our planet, its creatures, and all interrelating systems.

Today, there is a strong need for creative problem-solvers with skills spanning science, mathematics, and technology. However, the underlying goal for really any kind of learning in Arts, Science, Mathematics, Technology – or any other learning area for that matter – is essentially altruistic (from the Latin, Alter, the other). We pursue knowledge and ideas literally for the good, interest, and possibly the happiness of others.

That underlying message, at its core, is the educator's pursuit of happiness, which takes the form of creative, intellectual, logical, and even unconventional collaborative exchange, making learning vital, promising, innovative, imaginative, effective, and real.

For the educator and teacher in each of us, learning is as much about preparing ourselves to serve others as it is about preparing others to serve others. Collaboratively, though, we learn and teach by "working together" toward common universal, altruistic goals.

FILM: the 'hedonic treadmill' - a scene from 'happiness is'

2009-09-13T05:19:00.006-06:00

a scene from 'happiness is,' a documentary film that i exec-produced. enjoy!

FILM | TECHNOLOGY: DSLR Filmmaking: The Canon 7D

2009-09-12T06:34:00.003-06:00

New footage from the Canon EOS 7D.

Filmmaking on a DSLR. Interesting.

Perya (Town Fair) - a Canon 7D Short from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.