Esther Dillard

My experience has been as a reporter/anchor for the last 10 years. I have done voice work for primarily news stories and short form in-house news documentaries. I am just beginning an expansion of my voice over experience. EDUCATION: SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY S.I. NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 8/92 Masters of Science in Communications Specialized in technical skills, including: Broadcast News Writing, Audio Design and Multi-camera production, Video Editing Operations and Broadcast Sales/Promotions. STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO 12/90 Bachelors of Arts in English Expertise developed in communication theory, print news writing, and public speaking. Acted as a liaison between The Spectrum Newspaper and College Administration with business affairs. SKILLS: Broadcast news writing; research, multi-camera in-studio production; extensive use of 3/4 and 1/2 inch video editing operations. Also familiar with Avid editing operations and computer based video and audio editing programs. I have extensive use of Macintosh PageMaker software for newspaper layout. I aided in promotion of World University Games in Buffalo 1993 with production of press releases and newsletter materials. Other skills: public speaking, interview coordination, newspaper staff development, classroom instruction, equipment operations and research. I have a small audio studio in my home with editing capability. I have some access to audio studio equipment since my husband is Operations Manager at WBLS in New York City. A short list of some of my experience is listed below: ANCHOR /REPORTER/ FIELD PRODUCER 8/05 - 9/07 WEYI-TV Channel 25 NBC Affiliate in Flint, MI 5 PM weekday anchor and general assignment reporter for NBC News Affiliate. Main reporter and field producer for President Gerald Ford’s funeral in Grand Rapids, Michigan which included: all story research, writing, and interview coordination for live and taped news coverage. During that time was responsible for travel coordination, invoices, and expense reimbursement. Aided in the daily writing and posting of news stories and photos on the station website in addition to contributing content and design ideas for future site development FREELANCE PRODUCER/REPORTER 2/05 - 8/05 WTOL-TV Channel 11 CBS Affiliate in Toledo, OH Part-time general assignment reporter who provides live spot news coverage for CBS News Affiliate. Contributed daily pitching of story ideas, writing, and posting of news stories for the station web site. .Also acted as stand-in weekend morning anchor FIELD PRODUCER/ REPORTER 3/04 - 1/05 KTVU TV Channel 2 FOX Affiliate in Oakland, CA Field producer/ live reporter for coverage of the Scott Peterson murder trial which included coordinating legal expert interviews during trial and after the verdict. Part-time general assignment reporter who provided live spot news coverage for Fox News. Duties also include reporting for the 6:00 and 10:00 PM broadcast weekdays and weekends. REPORTER 11/01 11/03 KYW TV Channel 3 CBS Affiliate in Philadelphia, PA General assignment reporter providing live spot news coverage for Eyewitness News This Morning, which broadcasts from 5:00 to 7:00 AM. Duties also include: research of story ideas, pitching ideas to local companies, agencies, and hospitals as well as dayside reporting for the 5:00, 6:00 and 11:00 PM broadcast weekdays and weekends. HEALTH PRODUCER/ REPORTER 3/96 - 11/01 WGRZ-TV Channel 2 NBC Affiliate in Buffalo, NY Health producer/ reporter for three years, coordinating health segments and series with local hospital public relations officials and clinics. Also developed and produced several yearly segments for Ch 2’s Public Awareness Campaign on Kids & Drugs with Renaissance House of WNY. Also acted as general assignment reporter providing live spot news for the 5, 6, 11 broadcasts. REPORTER/INTERN 11/95 - 3/96 WOKR-TV (WHAM) Channel 13 ABC Affiliate in Rochester, NY On-Air general assignment reporter under WOKR's six-month minority internship program. Duties included dayside reporting on weekends and holidays. DIRECTOR/REPORTER 1/94 –2/95 WNED-TV Channel 17, 23 PBS Affiliate in Buffalo, NY Responsible for airing public affairs, educational, entertainment, programs and promos. Acted as part-time remote audio engineer and reporter for WNED-AM News Radio. TECHNICAL ENGINEER 11/94 –11/95 WIVB-TV Channel 4 CBS Affiliate in Buffalo, NY Responsible for master control operations, camera operation, floor directing and properly maintaining transfer of commercial tape for air. Also trained in font/graphics and audio production. PRODUCTION/MEDIA SPECIALIST 12/93-3/94 Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY Responsible for the instruction and delegation of all tasks associated with the production of a bi-monthly youth newspaper entitled “What’s Up!?” Instruction included all aspects of newspaper design, layout, editing as well as delegating feature and new story assignments for a 12 person high school staff. PRODUCTION/TRAFFIC MANAGER 1/93–9/93 WAV-TV 58 Independent Low-Power station in Buffalo, N.Y. Responsible for satellite maintenance and playback equipment/studio control equipment. Coordinated schedules for a 5 person technical staff. Wrote, videotaped, and edited television public service announcements for not-for profit organization Friendship House of WNY. I was responsible for handling all invoicing, expense and budget development for studio operations, and coordinating commercial traffic. Maintained databases for contacts and expenses. I also developed a training manual.