Filmmaker since 1990.

Award-winning director and producer.
Awards include CINE Golden Eagles, Telly Awards, Gold Apple, National University Emmy, and more.

Editor and instructor since 1995.

Certified by Avid Technology since 1997 to teach beginning, intermediate and advanced courses for Avid Media Composer, Avid Xpress, Avid Xpress DV and Avid Xpress Pro HD.

Knowledgeable of Avid Media Composer versions 5 through Avid Adrenaline on both the Mac and NT platforms.

Owner of Avid Xpress Pro for both Mac and NT.

Collaborative, strong story-telling skills, detail oriented. Enjoys creating a superior product, both technically and aesthetically.

Wide variety of editing experience, including features, shorts, trailers, documentaries, promos, and presentation packages.

Editing skills include the ability to completely finish a project to broadcast specifications on the Avid (including up-resing and sound mixing); Grouping/Multi-Cam; basic Avid AniMatte & 3D Effects; and Adobe Photoshop.

Download an abbreviated version of my Avid Editing/Avid Training Resume in PDF format.
Read the expanded version by scrolling down.

To read PDF files, you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free. (will open in a new window)

"The Bronx Boys"
Shapiro-West Prods.

[ go to demo clips page to see trailer ]

[ go to reviews & articles page ]

[ jump to Filmography for more info ]

Director and Avid Editor

"The Bronx Boys" is a 45 minute documentary hosted by Carl Reiner.
Produced by George Shapiro & Howard West.
Line Produced, Directed & Edited by Benjamin Hershleder.

• HBO/Cinemax broadcasts
• PBS broadcasts
• Winner – 2002 Telly Award
• Winner – 2002 DV Awards
• Winner – 2002 Silver Remi Award, WorldFest Houston
• HBO's "Frame by Frame" New York City theatrical screenings
• Leammle Theaters' 2003 Los Angeles documentary series

"The Original
Latin Kings of Comedy"
Paramount Studios

Avid Editor

Comedy concert film starring George Lopez and Paul Rodriguez; hosted by Cheech Marin, and featuring several other top Latin comics. Limited theatrical release; broadcast on Showtime and Comedy Central. Directed by Jeb Brien. 12 cameras / Multi-cam / No line-cut.

E! Entertainment and
Style Networks

[ go to demo clips page to see clips ]

Avid Editor (2 years on staff)

[ CLICK FOR A DETAILED LIST OF SHOWS & EPISODES ]

Half-hour, hour and two hour programs from start to finish, including audio mixing and up-resing per network and broadcast standards.

As Editor, completed several hour-long network specials. As both Editor and Co-Editor, completed several of each of the following: “True Hollywood Stories,” “Celebrity Profile,” “Mysteries and Scandals,” “The Howard Stern Show,” “Assignment E!, With Leeza Gibbons,” "Homes With Style," and “Search Party.”

Additional editing included on-air promos for both networks, and non-broadcast material such as sales tapes and airplane in-flight programming.

"Camp Del Corazon"
American Heart Association /
Robin Lewin Productions

Avid Editor

• Winner – Silver Telly Award, the Telly Awards' highest honor.
• Winner – Silver Screen Award, US International Film & Video Festival.
Profile of a summer camp for children with various heart ailments.
This is an amazing place, doing wonderful things for these kids.
Visit their web site by clicking here (opens in a new window).

"Estelle Reiner
at The Gardenia"
Shapiro Prods.

Producer, Director, Avid Editor

45 minute intimate concert of jazz singer Estelle Reiner at The Gardenia in Hollywood, California.
Multi-camera shoot.

"Andy Kindler:
I Wish I Was Bitter"

Consulting Producer / Avid Finishing

45 minute concert of comedian Andy Kindler. 5 camera multicam.

"Maximum Wobble"

Consulting Editor

90 minute comedy documentary.

American Film Institute

Moviola Digital
Education Center

Video Symphony, Inc.

UCLA Extension

Granada Television

Past students from all the major networks and many studios.

For detailed information scroll to “Teaching” below,
or jump there by clicking here.

"Large and In Charge"
Wallace Productions

DVD Producer / Graphic Artist / Avid Finishing

Feature length comedy concert starring George Wallace.
Oversaw all aspects of DVD encoding, authoring, and mass duplication.
Created all DVD graphics as well as the box art for both the CD and DVD.

"Hollywood Capri"
Wildcat Productions

Avid Editor

Feature length comedy motion picture. Directed by Bob Jones. Also edited 3 minute trailer.

"In Search Of . . ."
Fox TV / USA Network

Avid Editor

One hour pilot episode, "In Search Of Secret Societies."

"US Weekly
Entertainment News"
Steamroller Prods.

Avid Editor

Hosted by Greg Proops.
22 minute television pilot episode. Utilized Photoshop.

"Garage Sale"
Steamroller Prods./
Fox Television/ABC Family

Avid Editor

Hosted by John Lehr and Jennifer Schlossberg.
22 minute television pilot episode. Utilized Photoshop.

"Howard Stern Uncensored"
Steamroller Prods./
Howard Stern Prods.

Avid Editor

90 minute compilation of highlights and never-before-seen footage
from Howard Stern's #1 rated radio/television program (as yet unreleased).

"The Apostate"/"Michael Angel"
Film Trailer
Arama Entertainment

[ go to demo clips page to see a clip ]

Avid Editor

4 minute motion picture trailer for feature film starring Dennis Hopper.
This film was originally titled "Michael Angel."

"Governor Jesse Ventura"
MSNBC News Network

Avid Editor

Offline and online editor of 3 to 5 minute profiles and new stories,
hosted by former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

"Camp Chaos"
VH1 / KRA Creative

Avid Editor

Online finishing and mastering for three episodes of this 1/2 hour animated series.

"Judge Mills Lane" Promos
Strand Communications

Avid Editor

30 second commercial spots (and cut-downs).
Included utilization of Photoshop and AniMatte.

"Play GameWorks"
GameWorks, Inc.

[ go to demo clips page to see a clip ]

Avid Editor

6 minute, high energy marketing presentation for GameWorks,
the amusement division of DreamWorks SKG.

"The Business"
Kurtz & Friends Animation

Avid Editor

Commercial spot featuring the Anti-Tobacco Crocodile.
Work involved importing image sequences, syncing audio and working with animators to time the animation.

"Disney Interactive"
Kurtz & Friends Animation

Avid Editor

Work involved importing image sequences, syncing audio and working with animators to time the animation as well as managing a large project.

"Chevron Heroes"
Chevron /
Robin Lewin Productions

Avid Editor

• Winner – 1st Place, Gold Camera Award, US International Film & Video Festival.
Twenty minute documentary detailing Chevron's response to the needs of both
employees and citizens affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

"Something On My Mind"
Green Productions

Director and Avid Editor

Music video. Adam Green, Producer.

"Jean-Christophe Huttepain"
Shapiro-West Prods.
Skippyshap Prods.

Producer, Director, and Avid Editor

15 minute television pilot presentation.

"Cooking With Comedy"
Shapiro-West Prods.

Avid Editor

15 minute television pilot presentation.

"Going Bananas"
H.E.S. Prods.

Avid Editor

45 minute television pilot.

"Quit It!"
BLH Productions

[ go to demo clips page to view ]

Director, Avid Editor and ProTools Sound Designer

Short comedy motion picture.

"Remote Control"
BLH Productions

[ go to demo clips page to view ]

Director, Avid Editor and Avid Sound Designer

Spec. 60 second commercial for Nickelodeon Television.

"Tickits"
Upstart Productions

[ go to demo clips page to see a clip ]

[ jump to Filmography for more info ]

Director, Steenbeck Editor and Sound Editor

Short motion picture, starring Mark McEwen of CBS' "The Early Show"
(formerly “CBS This Morning”) and featuring a pre-"Backstreet Boys" A.J. McLean.

• Winner – Gold Apple Award, National Educational Media Network
• Winner – “Best Adapted Short Film,” Family Film Festival
• Winner – Directing Citation, Turin, Italy International Festival of Young Cinema
• 23 additional awards, honors and festival screenings.

"To Speak To Her Again"
Upstart Productions

Director, Steenbeck Editor and Sound Editor

Short comedy motion picture.
• Winner– Crystal Reel Award, Florida Motion Picture & TV Assoc.

"More Than A Sport"
Upstart Productions

Director, Editor and Sound Editor

Documentary short film.
• Bronze Award – Alamo Film Competition

"Bad Guy"
FSU Productions

ProTools Sound Designer

Short dramatic motion picture.

"The Bronx Boys"
Shapiro-West Prods.

[ go to demo clips page to see trailer ]

[ go to reviews & articles page ]

[ jump to Filmography for more info ]

Director, Line Producer and Avid Editor

"The Bronx Boys" is a 45 minute documentary hosted by Carl Reiner.
Produced by George Shapiro & Howard West.
Line Produced, Directed & Edited by Benjamin Hershleder.

• HBO/Cinemax broadcasts
• PBS broadcasts
• Winner – 2002 Telly Award
• Winner – 2002 DV Awards
• Winner – 2002 Silver Remi Award, WorldFest Houston
• HBO's "Frame by Frame" New York City theatrical screenings
• Leammle Theaters' 2003 Los Angeles documentary series

"Movies Are Better"

[ watch the film here ]

Director, Producer and Avid Editor

Short film, shot with the Panavision-Sony 24p High-Definition video camera.

• Winner – Telly Award
• Winner – DV Awards
• Selected as the opening night short film for the 2005 Florida Film Festival.
• Screenings in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, canada, Korea and Senegal.

"The McPassion"

Director, Producer and Avid Editor

Comedy short film completed October 2005. Beginning the film festival circuit in 2006.

"Spoilers"

Director, Producer and Avid Editor

Half-hour pilot and 5 minute sales presentation for a humorous talk show.
Multiple camera production.

Producer, Director, Editor

45 minute intimate concert of jazz singer Estelle Reiner at The Gardenia in Hollywood, California. Multi-camera shoot.

"Large and In Charge"
Wallace Productions

DVD Producer / Graphic Artist / Avid Finishing

Feature length comedy concert starring George Wallace. Oversaw all aspects of DVD encoding, authoring, and mass duplication. Created all DVD graphics as well as the box art for both the CD and DVD.

"E! Entertainment 2002"
The Spark Factory

Producer

A fast paced, and humorous presentation of E! Entertainment's upcoming season.

"Jean-Christophe Huttepain"
Shapiro-West Prods.
Skippyshap Prods.

Producer, Director, and Avid Editor

15 minute television pilot presentation.

"Andy Kindler:
I Wish I Was Bitter"

Consulting Producer / Avid Finishing

45 minute concert of comedian Andy Kindler. 5 camera multicam.

"Paul McCall "
FSU Films

[ go to demo clips page to see clips ]

[ jump to Filmography for more info ]

Writer, Director

Short Motion Picture

• Winner – National University Emmy Award, “Best Comedy”
   Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
• Winner – CINE Eagle Award
   Council on International Nontheatrical Events (CINE)
• Winner – Gold Ebenseer Bear
   Festival of Nations, Austria
• Winner – Crystal Reel Award
   Florida Motion Picture and Television Association
• 58 additional awards, honors & festival screenings

"Tickits"
Upstart Productions

[ go to demo clips page to see a clip ]

[ jump to Filmography for more info ]

Director, Steenbeck Editor and Sound Editor

Short motion picture, starring Mark McEwen of CBS' "The Early Show"
(formerly “CBS This Morning”) and featuring a pre-"Backstreet Boys" A.J. McLean.

• Winner– Gold Apple Award, National Educational Media Network
• Winner– “Best Adapted Short Film,” Family Film Festival
• Winner– Directing Citation, Turin, Italy International Festival of Young Cinema
• 23 additional awards, honors and festival screenings.

"To Speak To Her Again"
Upstart Productions

Producer, Director, Editor

Short comedy motion picture
• Winner– Crystal Reel Award,
   Florida Motion Picture and Television Association

"The Least of These"
Old Fashioned Pictures

[ visit the official web site ]

Co-Producer, Co-Editor

"Satisfaction Guaranteed"

Co-Producer

Dramatic short film. Maria Erades, Director.

Premiere at the Henri Langlois Film Encounter, France. Screenings
include the India International Film Festival, the Hungary Int'l. Film Festival,
and the Big Muddy Film Festival.

"More Than A Sport"
Upstart Productions

Director, Editor and Sound Editor

Documentary short film.
• Bronze Award – Alamo Film Competition

"Something On My Mind"
Green Productions

Director and Avid Editor

Adam Green, Producer.

"Quit It!"
BLH Productions

[ go to demo clips page to view ]

Director, Avid Editor and ProTools Sound Designer

Short comedy motion picture.

"Remote Control"
BLH Productions

[ go to demo clips page to view ]

Producer, Director, Avid Editor and Sound Designer

Spec. 60 second commercial for Nickelodeon Television.

"Real Life 101"
GTV

Producer

Educational Programming for Teens.
Handled all phases including budgeting, casting, and scheduling.

Certifications

Certified by Avid Technology to teach the following courses:
100 - “In-Depth Media Composer Workshop” – 5 day course
101 - “Media Composer Editing” – 3 day course
110 - “Introduction to Media Composer Effects & 3D Effects” – 2 day course
117 - “Avid Xpress Editing” – 3 day course
119 - “Avid Xpress DV / Avid Xpress Pro Editing” – 3 day course
129 - “Avid Xpress DV / Avid Xpress Pro Effects” – 2 day course
201 - “Advanced Media Composer Techniques” – 2 day course

Class sizes range from three to fourteen students.
Certified courses cover basic through intermediate editing, effects techniques,
tools and procedures of the Avid digital nonlinear editing systems.

Familiar with Media Composer versions 5 through Adrenaline as well as Avid Xpress Pro.
Familiar with Media Composer and Xpress Pro running on both Mac and NT.

Instruction Certificate from the California Bureau for
Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
Valid from 2006 to 2009.

American Film institute
Hollywood, California

Adjunct Professor – September 2007 and January 2008.

Introduction to Avid Media Composer editing and effects; analog and digital video fundamentals; additional topics specific to AFI's facility and project workflow.

Moviola Digital
Education Center
Hollywood, California

Freelance Instructor – January 1999 to Present

Video Symphony, Inc
Burbank, California

Staff Instructor – June 1997 to June 1998
Freelance Instructor – January 1999 to Present

In addition to providing Avid Certified Instruction, duties as staff instructor also included
basic system maintenance; assisting students with technical and procedural problems;
and creating graphics and layouts for ads, fliers, and brochures.

Avid Technology
Tewksbury, MA

2003 - 2006 Los Angeles DV Expo.
Taught Avid Xpress Pro and Avid Media Composer Editing and Effects courses.

• ABC Television
• NBC Television
• KPOC Television (UPN)
• KCET Television (PBS)
• Granada Television
• Disney Feature Animation
• Disney – Latin America
• America Online
• Post Group – West L.A.
• UCLA Extension (3 semesters)
• Bay Area Video Coalition
• Spark Factory
• Montana Edit Education Center
• Brownstein Productions
• Barking Lizard
• Etc.

• On-site, personalized or certified curriculum for Avid Media Composer and/or Avid Xpress Pro.
• Private training for individuals or groups anywhere in the US or abroad.

University of Central Florida
Motion Picture Division
Orlando, Florida

Adjunct Professor
Motion Picture Production Management

Fall Semester 1995 and Fall Semester 1996.

This sixteen week required course centered on the essentials of script breakdown
and scheduling. Additional topics included introductory production management,
production personnel organization and duties, basic production paperwork,
and introduction to set protocol.

Full Sail School for Film,
Video & Recording Arts
Winter Park, Florida

Adjunct Instructor

Introduction to Avid Media Composer and Introduction to Flatbed editing.

October 1995 to May 1997

Taught a lab style course offering hands-on instruction in the operation of the
Avid Media Composer digital nonlinear editing system, as well as a separate course
introducing flatbed editing, utilizing the KEM flatbed editor and other basic film editing equipment.

Full Sail School for Film,
Video & Recording Arts
Winter Park, Florida

Adjunct Instructor

Film Production (Beginning and Advanced).

October 1995 to May 1997.

Supervised student film productions in all aspects.

Florida State University
Motion Picture Conservatory

M.F.A. Motion Picture Production
Summa Cum Laude

University of Central Florida
Motion Picture Division

B.A. Motion Picture Production
Summa Cum Laude

Avid Certified
Media Composer Training

Avid Certified Instructor Training
101, 110, and 201 courses (also certified to teach the 117, 119 and 129 courses)

Avid Certified Courses Completed
101 - “Media Composer Editing”
110 - "Introduction to Effects & 3D Tools"
102 - “Film Composer for Assistant Film Editors”
201 - “Advanced Media Composer Techniques”
205 - “Media Composer Troubleshooting”
303 - “Integrating Third Party Graphics”
305 - “Advanced Media Composer Effects”
306 - “Media Composer 3D Effects”
324 - "Symphony Finishing Effects and Color Correction"

Adobe Certified
Photoshop Training

Photoshop CS
101 and 201 courses

Waunakee High School

Waunakee, Wisconsin
(20 minutes north of Madison)

[ go to demo clips page to see clips ]

PAUL McCALL

He's a shy second-grader, afraid he's in trouble, just trying to get himself, and his note, home in one piece.

The bullies have other plans.

It's a nonstop adventure, weaving in and out of reality and little Paul's vivid imagination, as he fantasizes he's everything from a famous race car driver to a swashbuckling pirate. Will Paul be victorious in his quest? Will he and the note survive? There are surprises all along the way.

Starring ANDY RYAN as Paul McCall
CHAD VACCARINO • CREW PRESTON • MIKEL TAFT
Production Coordinator DARNETHA LINCOLN
Production Coordinator JENNY H. KIM
Production Designer W. ALEX KORP
Art Director JOHN KLEPPER
Sound Designed by DEREK HERR
Edited by JOHN LYNN
Story by CRAIG COBB
Screenplay by BENJAMIN HERSHLEDER & RON FRIEDMAN
Director of Photography JED KALEKO
Produced by RICK SWARTZWELDER
Directed by BENJAMIN HERSHLEDER

 "PAUL McCALL" AWARDS