I was born and raised in the border city of El Paso, Texas, have resided in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas for 30 years. I am a recipient of 4 Lone Star Emmy Awards and 8 Tellys.
I am a Director/Producer/Video Journalist and Video Editor that has covered news, sports, weather, arts & entertainment and everything else that requires videography.
Throughout my career I have worked/collaborated with television networks and clients such as NBC, ABC, CNN, ESPN, Tennis Channel, Fox Business, CMT, NBC Sports, Telemundo, Univision, TV Azteca and Spectrum News, The Dallas Cowboys, The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
In 2019-2020 I traveled the world as a video journalist for Tennis Channel covering tennis in places like Dubai, Rome, Milan, London, Mexico, Paris, Normandy and many cities in The U.S.
I have worked with Spectrum News 1 Texas in Dallas, Texas since 2020 to now. On my down time and days off from Spectrum News 1, I dedicate my time to Dallas Freelance Video www.dallasfreelancevideo.com, the freelance video company that I started in 2010. I have directed/ produced 3 award winning documentaries.
How many years have you been a judge?
5+ years
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
Studio Camera Operator/ Technical Director. The magnitude and impact of television news, how from a television studio you can reach thousands of people, how one as a news videographer can make a difference on how the story is told.
What project are you most proud to have worked on?
Dallas Freelance Video
2017 “The Untold Story” A Tribute to Dallas’ Mexican American Veterans and Their Families”
Directed/ Produced by Javier Sanchez for DMAHL (Dallas Mexican American Historical League. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD8-fTBGhQA&t=1s
I got to meet many military veterans and family members that shared their compelling stories about the military experiences and how these have affected their lives for ever.
Directed/ Produced by Javier Sanchez for DMAHL (Dallas Mexican American Historical League).
Spectrum News 1 Texas
“Driving The Border Wall Mile by Mile”
Along the U.S.-Mexico border, Spectrum News explores immigration, asylum and drug transportation, as well as the economic, environmental and cultural issues that are currently in flux.
I with a team of about 20 people traveled 1,500-mile border to explore conditions along all the major border towns from Texas to California.
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/politics/2021/06/04/spectrum-news-series–driving-the-border–mile-by-mile-
What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?
In the news industry it is always a challenge sometimes not knowing what might happen, such as last minute breaking news or unexpected events.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
I personally like to watch great video storytelling, in many cases the story is great but the video doesn’t give you the feeling that it should. Shots, sound and editing to me play a huge role in whether it is a good story or an extremely great one!
How do you unwind from work mode?
My pastime is playing drums (I have 2 in my home hahahaa), play tennis with my son and daughter, cooking Mexican and Asian cuisine.
What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?
Video Journalist, Videographer. The challenge and excitement of covering news, sports and weather, it is never the same story coverage day by day.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
I am producing a documentary on an artist from Dallas Texas Tomas Bustos.
Tomas is creating tactile art for the blind people to experience what the world known masterpieces such as da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and Van Gogh “Starry Night”. My documentary is scheduled to be completed end of 2026 start of 2027. It is exciting to be filming when a person who is blind experiences touching these masterpieces.
