PORTFOLIO: College Biology 101 (2001)




‘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)



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)



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)



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!

------

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)



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

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



‘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

'tulip tree' – a short film by jim bruno

'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...

...About Jim Bruno (Excerpts from LinkedIn.com)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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

"elgin depot"

"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

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"

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...


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

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."