Welcome to my online portfolio. I am a graduate of the Multimedia, Theatre & Film program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I have been involved in freelance Multimedia production for the past six years under the Pixel Dust Studios name. My principal medium is Digital Video and DVD production and my principal passion is historical documentary. I also specialize in the use of interactive media on the theatre stage and the unique way that recorded and live media can interact. The samples in this portfolio demonstrate a proficiency in Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, HTML, Macromedia Flash, Totally Hip LiveStage Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and progressively streaming QuickTime. Please contact me with any questions or for a competitive quote.

Launching the Digital Video Reel will allow you to see examples of my work in documentary, tourism, theatre, training and marketing video. This reel was built with using QuickTime wired sprites authored in Totally Hip LiveStage Pro. QuickTime 5.0 is required. A broadband connection is recommended.

 

 

 

Ontario Visual Heritage Project

As the coordinator of the Ontario Visual Heritage Project, I have produced, co-shot and co-edited seven feature length documentaries examining the history of rural Southern Ontario. The project is funded primarily by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and free copies of each completed DVD go into schools, museums, libraries and historic sites. All of the content is also available for viewing on the Ontario Visual Heritage Project web portal.

To date, we have compiled the history of Haldimand County, Brant County, Norfolk County, Elgin County, Oxford County, Chatham-Kent and Lambton County and are continually expanding to help other communities benefit from this endeavor. Launch the Digital Video Reel for a sample of this project.

Possible Worlds

In November of 2002, McMaster University Director Paul Rivers produced John Mighton's "Possible Worlds." I had the opportunity to serve as multimedia director on this innovative production. I created the media elements that were incorporated into River's curved screen and projected on stage. Launch the Digital Video Reel for a sample of this project.

I am currently continuing my work as a member of River's non-profit organization, Theatre Channel.

INSIDE MMEDIA@Mac

This standalone Multimedia CD was created with Macromedia Flash and incorporates synchronized video and the use of updatable XML data. The project is a prototype created for MMEDIA 3A03 for professor Andrew Mactavish. I was the principal videographer and programmer on this project.

One of the challenges encountered while authoring INSIDE MMEDIA&Mac was the extensive use of video in Macromedia Flash MX.

VON Caregiver Education Series

During the summer of 2004 I worked with the Victorian Order of Nurses in Hamilton to produce and edit an instructional DVD for their Caregiver Education Series. This production required considerable background research into the issue of care giving and caregiver education. Production included re-enactments, interviews and a mock workshop.

The completed tool was sent across Canada to help local VON branches demonstrate to group facilitators how to best complete their job.

The Exploits of Uncle Zach

On a lighter note, the Uncle Zach series is an exercise in streaming video and cartoon Flash gone wacky.

Season 1 uses a series of small QuickTime movies embedded into HTML in order to demonstrate the proper way to treat our freshwater friends.

Season 2 uses Flash and video to launch a preemptive attack on those scheming Pike.

Zach P.Melnick

790 Singer Road

York ON N0A 1R0
(905) 772-1849
zmelnick@pixelduststudios.com

Zach Melnick Online Portfolio © 2005 Pixel Dust Studios