RAJIV SMITH-MAHABIR
Los Angeles, CA || rajiv.smithmahabir@gmail.com
WORK EXPERIENCE
Movement Strategy October 2019 – Present
Video Director
• Lead the post-production team of editors in creating social content for campaigns and online for our clients
• Concept ideas, work on pitches, and edit the content for clients such as Netflix, HBOMax, Bravo, and Amazon's The Boys
Pickle Juice Productions May 2013 – Present
Editor/Cinematographer
• Shooting, editing, and producing videos for companies such as Copa Airlines, Pepsi, A Great Big Story, UCLA, Sinai Akiba Academy, Vertical Blue, and Blue Element.
Mohawk Digital/MoPro.com, Santa Monica, CA September 2008 – May 2013
Lead Editor
• Shot, produced, and edited video pieces on people, organizations, events, concerts, etc... for external vendors such as VEVO, Reebok, DIESEL, AEG, Stoli, TJ Maxx, Hyatt, Clorox, Hennessy, Don Julio and QVC.
• Edited short features on the best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife venues in the biggest cities around the world for InTheMO.com and MoPro.com.
Big Brother 9/10, Studio City, CA February – July 2008
Post Production Assistant
• Digitize, dub, deliver show tapes for broadcast, for the vault and various executives.
• Oversee the change of opening credits and show graphics with Design on the Fly effects company.
• Upkeep of the post facility and edit bays, editor scheduling, and general office/PA duties.
USC Digital Imaging Lab, Los Angeles, CA January 2005 – December 2007
Lead Digital Imaging Specialist
• Digitize, post-process, and assist in quality assurance of converting rare materials to digital format using an array of technologies and techniques.
• Performed research and provided technical advice for digitization of time-based materials such as motion-picture film, video, and audio.
• Conduct hands-on training of digitization process to incoming student assistants.
• Provide technical support and maintain imaging lab equipment.
EDUCATION
University of Southern California, B.A. in Cinema-Television Production.
Graduated 3.46 GPA, December 2007

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Equipment:
Proficient use of Canon 5D, AH-1, Panasonic GH5s, Blackmagic, Sony A7s, DJI Phantom 4 drone, Arri-S 16mm, Arri-SR II 16mm, Bolex 16mm, Mitchell High Speed 35mm, Aaton LTR 16mm cameras.
Advanced knowledge in using high-resolution digital imaging tools and processes including digital SLR cameras, 4x5 cameras, lenses and scanbacks, film scanners, flatbed scanners and related software and computer hardware.
Software:
Adept usage of digital audio/visual editing hardware and software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut, Avid, DaVinci Resolve, ProTools, Final Draft, and Microsoft Office.
FILMOGRAPHY
Cinematographer/Asst. Editor: Strangers to Peace (dir. Noah DeBonis) February 2016 - December 2020, A feature length documentary about 3 ex-FARC guerrillas re-integrating into Colombian society after the signing of a historic peace accord which ended 53 years of armed conflict.
Editor: Blindspot: Illusions of Justice (dir. Dawn Sinclair Shapiro) September 2015, A feature length documentary about the horrific practice of Eugenics in the United States and the fight for victim compensation in the state of North Carolina.
Editor: The Lima Affair (dir. Jeremy Dickie-Clardy) March 2014, A 25-minute short film about a girl in an abusive relationship, struggling to find her place in the world.
Cinematographer: Romeo is Bleeding (dir. Jason Zeldes) August 2012 – September 2014, A feature length documentary about a youth arts program putting on a performance of Romeo and Juliet set in the city of Richmond to bring awareness of the gun violence plaguing the community.
Editor: Pancakes (dir. Kelly Stuyvesant) June - December 2009, A 12-minute HD short.
Editor: Man in the Wall (dir. Satori Snow) January - June 2008, A 81-minute HD feature independent film with $15,000 budget.
Editor: In the Forest (dir. Joseph Tamas) October 2007 - April 2008, An 18-minute HD short children’s film directed by a USC graduate.
Editor: Paradise (dir. Kelly Parker) August - December 2007, A 85-minute feature film directed by a Cal Arts University graduate.
Editor: Spring Eternal (dir. Sofia Shinas) January - May 2007, A 12-minute, 16mm sync-sound film directed by USC student.
Writer/Director/Sound Designer: Timeless August - December 2006, A 6-minute, 16mm non-sync sound film for USC film class.
DP/Editor/Producer: Ageless (dir. CJ Laursen) August - December 2006, A 6-minute, 16mm non-sync film for USC film class.
Cameraperson: CU@USC, Platforum, Visual Frequency August - December 2004, Three live TV shows on Trojan Vision.
AWARDS
Romeo is Bleeding (25 awards in film festivals across the U.S.)
Ageless accepted into Short Film Corner of Cannes Film Festival, 2007
Spring 2006 – December 2007 Dean’s List, University of Southern California
2004 Fine Arts Award, Head-Royce School
2004 Berkeley Film Festival Grand Festival Award, Best of Festival Award, and Award of Excellence