Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.

CNET provides expert information, reviews and analysis on consumer technologies, services and trends. Video has been core to CNET since its inception, and continues to be a medium through which our experts share their insights and explore the latest products, services and technological advancements. Our award-winning team of hosts, shooters, producers and editors work together to develop quality content for our site, YouTube channel and social media platforms to meet consumers wherever they are.

What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?

For nearly 30 years, CNET’s experts have demystified an ever-changing, tech-driven world with product reviews, how-to guides, videos and news articles. Our mission is to help readers and viewers stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments, while also guiding consumers to make informed decisions about technology-related purchases. We do this all through personal and expert-driven content that illustrates our broad reach and in-depth knowledge of the tech sector.

How can people join or learn more about what you do?

You can follow all the great work on CNET.com, as well as my CNET author page, or follow me on Instagram.

Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?

Self-driving cars are slowly morphing from a sci-fi staple to a real-world transportation option, and being in the San Francisco Bay Area, I started hearing about Zoox hitting the streets there for testing. So, I had to reach out to Zoox and try to get a test ride! It took a little over a year of waiting for permissions and scheduling to align, but at last, Zoox invited me for a behind-the-scenes look at how it operates in Las Vegas, complete with an early ride as it worked up toward a commercial launch. It was great to see the facility where the company houses its vehicles, and to get a peek into what the future of ride-hailing could look like.

What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?

This was one of the biggest video projects I’ve ever hosted and produced, and along with helping to plan the logistics beforehand, I enjoyed sifting through our scores of footage afterwards to pick where each shot should go to help bring the story to life.

When you’re filming something like a robotaxi that you can’t control, you kind of just roll with the punches and see where the journey takes you. In being flexible, you’re able to have a more conversational, everyday approach to guiding viewers through the experience — like when your vehicle suddenly stops because the driver in front of you decides to do a U-turn in the middle of the road. These moments and asides make the video feel all the more approachable!

Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?

It truly takes a team. Lean on each other’s creativity and the end result will be better than anything you could have imagined on your own.

Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?

When filming vehicles on the road, a GoPro is your best friend — as well as a fearless cameraperson who is willing to hang out the passenger window to film the Zoox robotaxi rolling by!

Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.

Someone told me it felt like they were in the robotaxi with me, which is the ultimate compliment you can receive when you’re trying to virtually bring someone along for the ride.

Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’

… immersive.