ERNEST LEONG

Arlington, VA · 703-***-**** (cell)

ad1d5v@r.postjobfree.com · Ernest Leong LinkedIn

Highly accomplished award-winning multimedia journalist with experience in writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing audio/video with a global reach. Experience working in government, publishing and nonprofit organizations. Writing topics include international news, politics, sports, entertainment, and fiction and non-fiction stories about Chinese Americans and other cultures. Collaborate with news writers, editors, directors and crew to produce breaking international/regional news in radio and television.

EXPERIENCE

FEBRUARY 2023-PRESENT

POLICY WRITER, US CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Wrote, re-wrote, edited, copy edited, proofread annual reports, standard operating procedures (SOPs), management instructions (MIs), internal memorandums. Created PowerPoint slides for company-wide presentations.

JUNE 2022-NOVEMBER 2022

WRITER/EDITOR/COPY EDITOR, RANDSTAD

Wrote, re-wrote, edited, copy edited, proofread video scripts, press releases, internal emails, social media posts for the City of Alexandria. Conducted video interviews which were posted on social media websites. Tracked upcoming events for possible coverage.

MAY 2021 – MAY 2022

VIDEO SCRIPT WRITER/EDITOR/COPY EDITOR, miaplaza

Wrote, re-wrote, edited, copy edited, proofread video scripts for educational video company. Conducted video interviews, researched/wrote/produced scripts for new Career Exploration topic. Helped others to write video scripts in a visual way.

AUGUST 2020 – NOVEMBER 2020

VIDEO SCRIPT WRITER/EDITOR/COPY EDITOR, keenlogic

Wrote, edited, copy edited instructional video scripts for government agency. Re-worked instructional text against deadlines to make it more visual. Helped new Congressional members better understand their administrative responsibilities through video.

DECEMBER 2013 – APRIL 2019

TECHNICAL INFORMATION SPECIALIST/LEAD ARCHIVIST, voice of america

Lead archivist on project to archive all Voice of America (VOA) radio programs from Radio Suite High Definition (RSHD) to Dalet Webspace, per Congressional directive. Worked with upper management and other language services to set up system for archiving all radio programs. Trained language service radio producers and Audio Services staff in archiving process.

Pulled sound on tape (SOT) from radio stories (backgrounders, correspondent reports), as well as daily briefings (White House, Senate, etc.) with transcripts for house use.

Viewed and evaluated video from Radio Free Europe (RFE) for house use. Downloaded video to Dalet Plus with script.

APRIL 2007 – DECEMBER 2013

VIDEO JOURNALIST/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, voice of america

Video journalist for government agency airing shows worldwide. Wrote and researched stories, voice overs (VOs) on DaletPlus. Shot interviews, B-roll, utilized Final Cut Pro to edit own packages.

Line produced and directed live news show in Farsi, broadcast to Iran. Worked with copy editor, built and finalized show rundown. Researched VOs and packages for show. Worked with talent and crew to ensure program aired on time.

Edited field reporters’ raw video on Final Cut Pro. Edited and uploaded VO’s to NewsFlow. Trained 180 language services staff in using studio equipment.

Wrote story for Persian Service to battle government discrimination against female kayakers so they could train in Iran for the Olympics.

JUNE 2002 – APRIL 2007

WRITER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT, voice of america

Served as Production Assistant on live TV/radio talk shows. Researched and developed show ideas and booked guests worldwide. Logged tapes, selected B-roll (video) and graphics for news packages. Worked with director and crew during live broadcasts. Directed Special English programs aired worldwide.

JANUARY 1998 – SEPTEMBER 2001

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE AND PROGRAM OFFICER, academy for educational development

Edited, copy edited, proofread and assembled multi-million dollar winning proposals for nonprofit corporation to fund and maintain schools for migrant workers’ children nationwide.

Assisted in writing, editing and assembling quarterly and annual fiscal reports for submission to federal agency.

Managed logistics for national conferences for 400-600 attendees.

Collaborated with Accounting to ensure consultants, staff and vendors were quickly and accurately paid. Set up and maintained databases for fiscal records, consultant pool list. Worked with Contracts and Accounting departments in timely preparation of financial reports.

Created and maintained filing system for library, correspondence, and publications.

DECEMBER 1996 – JUNE 1997

LEGAL EDITOR, national health lawyers’ association

Reported on healthcare case law and legislation for legal publisher. Selected case law for review and interviewed healthcare attorneys.

OCTOBER 1995 – SEPTEMBER 1996

PARALEGAL AND LEGAL EDITOR, bureau of national affairs

Copy edited, proofread and HTML coded legal manuscripts. Oversaw manuscript from first pass to camera ready copy.

JUNE 1992 – SEPTEMBER 1992

WRITER/CO-PRODUCER, independent television services

Wrote and co-produced original one-hour teleplay for a PBS affiliate. Re-wrote script and submitted against deadlines. Assisted director with budget and strip boarding. Scouted locations and assisted with casting.

MAY 1985 – JUNE 1994

COPY EDITOR AND SENIOR COPY EDITOR, matthew bender & co., inc.

Oversaw bi-weekly newsletter from first pass to camera ready copy for medico-legal publisher. As senior copy editor supervised up to 15 writers and editors to ensure work submitted correctly and punctually.

EDUCATION

JUNE 2001

MASTER OF ARTS IN VIDEO-BASED PRODUCTION, george mason university

Academic Excellence Award. Graduated with 3.9 GPA.

SEPTEMBER 1995

PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE, new york university

3.8 GPA.

JUNE 1984

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH, wesleyan university

Graduated with Honors.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Sharepoint, Asana, MS Teams, Clip Champ, Google Docs Editors, Radio Suite HD, Dalet Plus, Dalet Webspace, MS Word, Excel, Lotus, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Avid DV Express, Final Cut Pro, Paradox, Presentation, HTML. Xywrite, Looseleaf.

ACTIVITIES

-Management Achievement Award, Academy for Educational Development.

-Feature-length screenplays won for Best Feature Length, TV Movie of the Week, TV Pilot at Moondance Film Festival.

-Feature-length screenplays advanced to semi-finals/quarterfinals at Sundance, Writer’s Network, America’s Best, Jury of Peers.

-Won Commander’s Award for Excellence for stage play.

-Short stories published in Barnes & Noble compilations.

-Programming and Minority Committee, Writers’ Guild of America East, New York, NY.

-Sunday School Teacher, First United Chinese Presbyterian Church, New York, NY.

-Historian for Chinese Community Church, Washington, DC.

oShot, edited videos covering church-related events.

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