Resumé (CV) & Contact Info

Updated: May 26, 2010

2008-12-31T09:01:00.000-08:00

JarrettBellini@gmail.com

TURNER BROADCASTING
Atlanta, GA
January 2004 - Present

CNN.com
Digital Content Producer/Editor
[March 2010 - present]
As a part of the custom video team, I am responsible for producing, shooting, editing, and promoting original video content for CNN.com. This involves working with a variety of different cameras and equipment, as well as having an extensive knowledge of Final Cut Pro and PhotoShop.

CNN.com Video Podcasting :: News of the Absurd
Producer, Head Writer, Host
[June 2006 - November 2009]
Formerly known as The Gryst, News of the Absurd is a weekly video podcast that takes a satirical look at some of the odd but true stories making news from around the world. In April 2009, I began doing a 'Daily Distraction' hit on CNN.com LIVE, focusing on popular web videos.
+ View: PODCASTS
+ View: DAILY DISTRACTIONS
+ Read: THEY DID IT! from ALL ABOUT MEDIA (Oct/Nov 2006)
+ Read: VERN SEWARD'S REVIEW from The iPod Observer (Aug. 31, 2007)
+ See more honors in the Achievements section

CNN.com
Senior Associate Producer, Digital Content
[August 2008 - March 2010]
While continuing my previous duties as an Associate Producer, I am also, now, producing more original video content for CNN.com. This includes editing projects on Final Cut Pro.

CNN.com
Associate Producer, Digital Content
[December 2006 - August 2008]
In addition to creating unique, original content for CNN.com, I was also responsible for overseeing and organizing the programming schedules for CNN.com LIVE (formerly CNN Pipeline) and CNN Mobile LIVE. PC Magazine called Pipeline "... the most impressive video offering the web has ever seen."

CNN
Feeds Coordinator
[November 2005 - December 2006]
Coordinate all incoming audio and video feeds from our domestic and international bureaus, as well as affiliates. At the time, top Feeds Coordinators would also work on certain newsroom rotations.
+ Employee of the Month: June 2006
+++ Recognition for innovating CNN.com podcasts
+ Rotation: Editorial Assistant
+++ Directly support the newsroom supervising producer
+ Rotation: Desk Assistant
+++ Coordinate outgoing feeds to our worldwide bureaus

CNN
Video Journalist (VJ)
[January 2004 - November 2005]
VJ's are responsible for floor directing and coordinating scripts for our 24-hour global news networks. Working directly with producers, directors, anchors, special guests, and robotics and lighting engineers, Video Journalists contribute to both Atlanta-based and worldwide productions

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Washington, DC
August 2002 - July 2003

SALES & MARKETING ASSOCIATE
Responsible for on and off campus promotions for 19 Division I sports. Organized special events for author John Feinstein, Monday Night Football's Melissa Stark, and legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach. Designed and created all promotional artwork and digital graphics. Worked with local businesses for event sponsorships. Delivered record-breaking attendance for men's soccer during NCAA tournament.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Washington, DC
Graduated: May 2001
B.A. Communications: Visual Media
Minor: Sociology

+ Delta Chi Fraternity
+ Completed Warner Bros. Writer Development Program
+ Humor Columnist (4 years): The Eagle
+ PA Announcer: Men's and Women's Soccer
+ Co-Founder: American University Ice Hockey Team
+ Mission: IMPROV-able (live comedy)
+++ Artistic Director (2000-2001)
+++ Producer (1999-2001)
+++ Performer (1998-2001)

NEWS OF THE ABSURD
Formerly: "The Gryst"
CNN.com
Atlanta, GA

2007 Webby Awards - Official Honoree (Comedy Short)
The Gryst #14

2007 Webby Awards - Official Honoree (Experimental)
The Gryst #17

AMERICAN VISIONS FESTIVAL 2001
Washington, DC
Category: Teleplay (TV Writing Competition)

FIRST PLACE
Titus: "A Walk in the Woods"
The gang decides to go camping. However, things quickly turn sour after Dave shares some wild mushrooms he discovers while searching for firewood. Alliances form, love is lost, and secrets are revealed - begging the question: If four idiots go crazy in the forest, and nobody is around to hear them, do they make a sound?

HONORABLE MENTION
The Simpsons: "fLAW & disORDER"
There's murder in Springfield! When a man is found dead outside Moe's Tavern, the crew from NBC's "Law & Order" searches for answers. In this thrilling crossover-series mystery, deception and donuts leave a trail of evidence all the way to the Duff Brewery. It's a classic who-done-it, where the only sure thing is that Homer drinks too much.

THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Phoenix, AZ
December 1995 - June 1997

HUMOR COLUMNIST
As a high school student, I was chosen to write a regular humor column for Arizona's largest newspaper. During that time, I covered Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, reported from the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego, and worked as an online coordinator and correspondent.

SOCCER :: [TottenhamHotspur.com]
I'm a loyal supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC of the Barclays Premier League in England.

TRAVEL :: [My Travel Page]
At least once a year, I try my best to leave the country with my backpack.

BASS GUITAR :: [My Music Page]
I enjoy jamming blues and bluegrass.

MIKEY :: [Photos of Mikey]
My great dane/lab doesn't respond to Big Stoopid, but he is.

Contact: JarrettBellini@hotmail.com

2008-12-30T19:03:00.000-08:00

CNN
Cable News Network
Atlanta, GA
January 2004 - Present

CNN.com
+ Senior Associate Producer, Digital Content (August 2008 - present)
Same job, slightly better title, slightly better money. As you were...
+ Associate Producer, Digital Content (December 2006 - August 2008)
Responsible for overseeing weekend and overnight programming for CNN.com LIVE (formerly CNN Pipeline). This involves coordinating simulcast schedules with CNN International as well as producing unique content. PC Magazine called Pipeline "... the most impressive video offering the web has ever seen."
+ News of the Absurd (Formerly: The Gryst) (June 2006 - present)
A weekly video podcast that takes a satirical look at some of the odd but true stories making news from around the world. On July 26, 2007, after 57 episodes, The Gryst officially became News of the Absurd, ushering in new graphics, music, and technologies to keep up with the re-launch of CNN.com and the podcast's growing popularity. [view podcasts]
+ Producer (June 2006 - present)
+ Head Writer (June 2006 - present)
+ Host (June 2006 - present)
+ 2007 Webby Awards - Official Honoree (Comedy Short): The Gryst #14
+ 2007 Webby Awards - Official Honoree (Experimental): The Gryst #17
+ Read: THEY DID IT! from ALL ABOUT MEDIA (Oct/Nov 2006)
+ Read: VERN SEWARD'S REVIEW from The iPod Observer (Aug. 31, 2007)

MEDIA OPERATIONS
+ Employee of the Month (June 2006)
Recognition for innovating CNN.com podcasts
+ Editorial Assistant (June 2006 - December 2006)
EA's directly suppport the newsroom supervising producer
+ Desk Assistant (June 2006 - December 2006)
DA's coordinate all outgoing audio and video feeds to our domestic and international bureaus
+ Feeds Coordinator (November 2005 - December 2006)
Coordinate all incoming audio and video feeds from our domestic and international bureaus, as well as affiliates. Feeds coordinators may also work on certain rotations that include Desk Assistant and Editorial Assistant.
+ Video Journalist (January 2004 - November 2005)
VJ's are responsible for floor directing and coordinating scripts for our 24-hour global news networks. Working directly with producers, directors, anchors, special guests, and robotics and lighting engineers, Video Journalists contribute to both Atlanta-based and worldwide productions

SALES & MARKETING ASSOCIATE
American University Athletics
Washington, DC
August 2002 - July 2003

Responsible for on and off campus promotions for 19 Division I sports. Organized special events for author John Feinstein, Monday Night Football's Melissa Stark, and legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach. Designed and created all promotional artwork and digital graphics. Worked with local businesses for event sponsorships. Delivered record-breaking attendance for men's soccer during NCAA tournament.

HUMOR COLUMNIST
The Arizona Republic
Phoenix, AZ
December 1995 - June 1997

Wrote a regular humor column for Arizona's largest newspaper. During that time, I covered Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, reported from the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego, and worked as an online coordinator and correspondent.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Washington, DC
August 1997 - May 2001
B.A. Communications: Visual Media
Minor: Sociology

+ Delta Chi Fraternity
+ Completed Warner Bros. Writer Development Program
+ Humor Columnist (4 years): The Eagle
+ PA Announcer: Men's and Women's Soccer
+ Co-Founder: American University Ice Hockey Team
+ Mission: IMPROV-able (live comedy)
+++ Artistic Director (2000-2001)
+++ Producer (1999-2001)
+++ Performer (1998-2001)

AMERICAN VISIONS FESTIVAL 2001
Washington, DC
Category: Teleplay (TV Writing Competition)

FIRST PLACE
Titus: "A Walk in the Woods"

The gang decides to go camping. However, things quickly turn sour after Dave shares some wild mushrooms he discovers while searching for firewood. Alliances form, love is lost, and secrets are revealed - begging the question: If four idiots go crazy in the forest, and nobody is around to hear them, do they make a sound?

HONORABLE MENTION
The Simpsons: "fLAW & disORDER"

There's murder in Springfield! When a man is found dead outside Moe's Tavern, the crew from NBC's "Law & Order" searches for answers. In this thrilling crossover-series mystery, deception and donuts leave a trail of evidence all the way to the Duff Brewery. It's a classic who-done-it, where the only sure thing is that Homer drinks too much.

All About Media: They did it!

2007-08-03T17:44:00.001-07:00

THEY DID IT!
By Jen Martin

WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING? SLAM THAT STARBUCK’S COFFEE? PANIC ABOUT BEING LATE?

ATLANTA: How about come up with the next new programming idea for CNN? On January 24 of this year, that’s exactly what a Media Ops editor/producer by the name of Paul Chase did.

Let’s rewind to that cold January morning, Paul is driving into work when it hits him – an idea that’s totally new and different for CNN. An idea that’s edgy, young and fresh. An idea that will drive more viewers in a younger demo, and possibly generate revenue. An idea that requires a partner-in-crime as crazy and gutsy as he is.

When Paul get sot work, he pings his buddy Michael Senzon, an associate producer for CNN Pipeline, with an idea for an original, raw, behind-the-scenes video podcast, something CNN has NEVER done before. Michael loves the idea. They decide to sell it ALL the way up the food chain, straight to Jim Walton.

You're thinking, "Yeah right. There's no way these two guys pitched and sold this idea to Walton." Oh but they did. The email sent to Jim on January 24 at 12:40 p.m., was, if nothing else, therapeutic. Who knew this would happen:

From: Walton, Jim
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 5:37 PM
To: Chase, Paul
Subject: RE: Inside CNN VIDEO PODCAST, let's do it!
----------
Paul,
Pls call me to schedule a quick meeting.

Paul's reaction: "Oh no. What do we do now?" You take the meeting Paul!

"We walked in and Jim came from behind his desk and sat down right along with us at a table in his office. He sat and listened intently to every single word we said -- He never even checked his Blackberry."

Jim introduced them to several executives - namely David Payne, SVP and General Manager of CNN.com and Sandy Malcolm, exec producer of CNN.com video.

"The thing that struck me about Paul and Michael was their passion for the idea and their obvious commitment," said Sandy Malcolm. "I've been around this place long enough to know that to get something like this pushed through you really have to believe in it and be willing to see it through, no matter what - these guys had that. They even put on ties!"

As the project began to take hold, it became clear they needed something edgier.

That's when Jock's and Jill's happy hours began to make a contribution to editorial.

"We had to do our day jobs first... then the podcast development. At the end of the day, Jocks and Jills had food and a wireless internet connection! Paul and I also worked from home via I-chat video," said Michael.

Oh, and funny man Jarrett Bellini, a feeds coordinator in Media Ops who had, ironically enough, emailed David Payne about his interest in writing for CNN.com back in January as well.

"I saw it as my lat ditch effort to make a name for myself before quitting my job to move to the Ozarks and grow out my beard," said Jarrett.

David replied with a simple "thanks". After a couiple of months, Jarrett decided to write a follow-up note. "I was sitting on my front porch typing up this email to Payne, and the phone rings," said Jarrett. "Lila Eidi (a CNN.com producer) says that David recommended she get in touch with me about this new thing they're doing (a satirical podcast). He told hber I might be a good humor writer." And there you have it.

After just four months, this grassroots initiative has taken off with Podcasts like ALL ACCESS - a view into our reporters' worlds - and, to the dismay of many in upper management, "The Gryst," described as "a satirical look at some of the odd but true stories making news from around the world brought to you in an irreverent style you might not expect from CNN." Bottom line, it's funny and it's certainly not your Daddy's CNN.

"Beyond the high number of downloads or the eager sponsors, the best part to me is what Paul, Michael and Jarrett did," said Payne. "These guys took the initiative, and do the work on their own time - the passion they felt about this new venture was apparant and is exactly the kind of thing we need to foster innovation throughout the company."

Who knew that these three guys would helpd define a new medium for CNN, not to mention come up with that next new big idea?

To that point, Jim Walton says, "So much of what we do today at CNN must follow strict standards and guidelines, and while "The Gryst" is vetted like the rest of our content, there are times, especially in the new media revolution, when you have to take a risk, go with your gut, even if the idea seems crazy. Paul, Michael and Jarrett exemplify the creative risk-taking and guts CNN will have to succeed in the future." Well done, guys. Well done.