Micha Hilliard Email & Phone Number

Ewell, England, United Kingdom

I’m the first point of contact for colleagues looking to produce videos and photography for projects small and large. I manage the content production process from end to end and make sure that all assets are delivered on time and to budget. I’m responsible for maintaining high standards across our work.At the start of a typical project, I get know my colleagues’ needs and wishes, then suggest ideas for content that are based on the project’s objectives, budgets, and timelines. I work… Show more I’m the first point of contact for colleagues looking to produce videos and photography for projects small and large. I manage the content production process from end to end and make sure that all assets are delivered on time and to budget. I’m responsible for maintaining high standards across our work.At the start of a typical project, I get know my colleagues’ needs and wishes, then suggest ideas for content that are based on the project’s objectives, budgets, and timelines. I work with our stories manager to find contributors with lived experience, obtain their informed consent, and plan shoots with them. I edit in Adobe Premiere Pro and understand best practices for different platforms. I’m passionate about making content that’s accessible. I guide colleagues through the approval stages. Since joining Samaritans, I’ve developed processes and guidelines to streamline how we produce content. I’ve also introduced a media management system called Iconik, which I manage in line with GDPR.As the only Samaritans staff member working in video and photography, I often hire external suppliers. I make sure that they follow our visual brand guidelines and that all messaging is consistent with our tone of voice. I’ve expanded our roster to include more regional and diverse freelancers and production companies. Wherever I can, I try to support Samaritans’ key goals for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Show less

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

I worked as a self-shooting director and editor. I was part of the film and photography team. We operated like a small agency within the wider charity. We received briefs from colleagues across Oxfam Great Britain and International and came up with ideas for projects that we pitched to other teams. It was a fast-paced working environment. In addition to having a full content calendar, we had to be ready to create reactive content in response to natural disasters and emergency… Show more I worked as a self-shooting director and editor. I was part of the film and photography team. We operated like a small agency within the wider charity. We received briefs from colleagues across Oxfam Great Britain and International and came up with ideas for projects that we pitched to other teams. It was a fast-paced working environment. In addition to having a full content calendar, we had to be ready to create reactive content in response to natural disasters and emergency situations.I went on frequent content gathering trips. These taught me much about working with vulnerable and marginalised people. I was helped by local Oxfam staff, partners, and interpreters to overcome cultural and language barriers. I made sure that we took an ethical approach to our work and looked for opportunities for co-creation. I attended hostile environment training to prepare for trips to countries affected by conflict, such as DRC and South Sudan. I usually edited the footage that I shot. I also received footage from international colleagues and edited this using transcripts and subtitles.Given Oxfam’s size and wide-ranging work, I was involved in projects that ranged from organising international shoots for major campaigns to filming down the road in my local Oxfam shop. It was incredibly meaningful work, as it challenged the underlying causes of poverty, such as gender inequality and climate change. Show less

Asheville, North Carolina, United States

During this period, I took on diverse freelance and personal work to learn, push myself creatively, and build a career in filmmaking. Among other projects, I travelled and produced videos for the charities Himalayan Life and Musicians without Borders, edited a feature documentary called ‘The Return of Elder Pingree’, filmed a 30-minute behind-the-scenes look at the National Brass Ensemble, helped launch a successful crowdfunding campaign for a tech startup, and made a short film that received a… Show more During this period, I took on diverse freelance and personal work to learn, push myself creatively, and build a career in filmmaking. Among other projects, I travelled and produced videos for the charities Himalayan Life and Musicians without Borders, edited a feature documentary called ‘The Return of Elder Pingree’, filmed a 30-minute behind-the-scenes look at the National Brass Ensemble, helped launch a successful crowdfunding campaign for a tech startup, and made a short film that received a Vimeo Staff Pick and played at festivals. It was through these experiences that I decided to focus my career on working with purpose-led organisations to help them tell their stories. Show less

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

I was one of the directors at Fancy Rhino, a leading creative content agency in the Chattanooga area. I developed and pitched ideas to clients, directed shoots, and oversaw edits. I was involved in projects for well-known brands such as Office Depot and UPS. An important part of my role was to manage and build the relationship with the research and advocacy organisation New American Economy. I worked on all of our videos for them from pitch to delivery‭. With over 20 people on staff, Fancy… Show more I was one of the directors at Fancy Rhino, a leading creative content agency in the Chattanooga area. I developed and pitched ideas to clients, directed shoots, and oversaw edits. I was involved in projects for well-known brands such as Office Depot and UPS. An important part of my role was to manage and build the relationship with the research and advocacy organisation New American Economy. I worked on all of our videos for them from pitch to delivery‭. With over 20 people on staff, Fancy Rhino was an exciting creative place to work at this stage of my career. It gave me invaluable insight into the commercial video production world.‬‬‬‬ Show less

Oberlin, Ohio, United States

I was the cinematographer on the short documentary series ‘The Amerikans’. I started working on the series while still at university, collaborating with one of my cinema studies professors and an alumnus filmmaker. We formed a small production company. Through ‘The Amerikans’, we wanted to explore the lives of people living in rural Ohio to show that everyone has an interesting story to tell. Among others, we filmed with a dollhouse shop owner, a Vietnam veteran, a graffiti artist, a bee venom… Show more I was the cinematographer on the short documentary series ‘The Amerikans’. I started working on the series while still at university, collaborating with one of my cinema studies professors and an alumnus filmmaker. We formed a small production company. Through ‘The Amerikans’, we wanted to explore the lives of people living in rural Ohio to show that everyone has an interesting story to tell. Among others, we filmed with a dollhouse shop owner, a Vietnam veteran, a graffiti artist, a bee venom therapist, and a Sioux drum maker. The episodes were created in close collaboration with their subjects. We promoted the series online and organised community screenings at venues like the Cleveland Institute of Art and Lorain County Community College. We made 15 episodes over four years. Show less

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Cinema Studies, English Literature

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Cinema Studies, English Literature