Kathryn
D. Vander
Producer/Director/Writer
With over 25 years of production experience in video and film, Emmy
award-winning Kathy Vander continues to produce and direct independent
films which are distributed across the country. Her newest documentary
project "Silvio: a story about art and pizza", was recently
shown at the New York International Film Festival.
Other titles produced and directed by Vander include "Walk
This Way", "Threads of Survival", "She Said
Yes - The Story of Cassie Bernall" and "A Poet's Voice".
Vander began her career working at WXYZ-TV in Detroit producing
short documentaries and talk shows. In addition to her independent
projects she currently works for Convergent Media as the Executive
Producer for the Volkswagen Account.
Kathy
Vander setting up a shot with Aerosmith's
Steven Tyler for her film "Walk This Way".
SKILLS
Corporate Communications
Project manager for Interactive Distance Learning productions for
broadcast to locations nationwide and in Canada.
Developer of communications strategies for corporate initiatives
via an award-winning video newsmagazine program called “Studio
A”.
Created, developed and wrote “Crisis Communication Manual”
and delivered the corresponding training program for AAA Michigan
Branch Managers.
Wrote informational articles for corporate newspaper “AAA
Today”.
Wrote and produced over 100 video programs for company wide distribution
at AAA Michigan.
Wrote and directed Live Corporate Presentation for Senior Management.
Worked closely with Senior Vice Presidents to create “Technology
Live”, a series of humorous skits demonstrating the future
role technology will play in serving customers.
Project Manager and Producer of seven training videos for AAA National
on Safety Patrol Training. Directed a 40-member cast and crew, consulted
with clients and worked with designer for development of video graphics
and video cover. Writer of press releases for distribution to radio,
television and newspaper organizations to promote events.Producer
of Video News Releases for distribution to television stations on
current subjects such as “Road Conditions” & “Traffic
Safety Issues”.Consulted with Team Leaders on promotion strategies
to communicate new services (i.e. AAA Web Site, Credit Card Readers
in Branches, Show Your Card Vendors, etc.) via video production.
Hire freelance personnel for corporate communication projects.
Work with outside community organizations to develop videos for
fundraising efforts such as United Way, Black United Fund, etc.
Developed project and capital budgets for AAA Corporate Communications
Video Unit. Determined equipment needs for AAA Corporate Communication
Video Unit and coordinate purchasing of camera equipment, non-linear
editing system, lighting equipment, computer technology upgrades,
etc.
Conducted on-camera-training workshops for over 100 employees at
AAA Michigan.
Operate camera, lighting, sound and video equipment for AAA Michigan
projects and presentations.
CONSULTING
Wrote and conducted a 40 hour training course in writing and video
production for Detroit Edison Fermi II Communications staff in Monroe,
MI.
Wrote and conducted a 40 hour training course on media and on-camera
presentations for Army Tacom in Warren, MI.
On-Camera Spokesperson for Ford Communications promotional videos.
Private Consultant to AAA Managers on media delivery training and
speaking skills.
Technical Director for “Kadima I & II” videos produced
at W.B.Doner.
Developed an intensive 16-week performance skills curriculum for
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts.
ENTREPRENEURIAL
Produced, directed and distributed documentary films through Vander
Films.
Wrote budgets and secure funding for film productions, distribution
and promotion.
Coordinate and manage Public Relations tasks for completed film
projects.
Write press releases, secure appearances on TV programs such as
“Backstage Pass” on Channel 56 in Detroit and radio
stations such as WWJ-Radio. Coordinate with newspaper editors and
reporters to write articles about documentary films in print media
like The Detroit News, The Detroit Free Press, Oakland Press, etc.EMPLOYMENT
HISTORY
Production Executive
Convergent Media Systems – 2001 - Present
Volkswagen Account – MAX Distance Learning Network
Auburn Hills, MI
Video Producer/Writer
AAA Michigan 1992 - 2001
Dearborn, MI
Video Production Trainer/Performance Instructor
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts 1987 - 1992
Southfield, MI
Television Producer
WXYZ-TV Channel 7 1981 – 1984
Southfield, MI
Associate Producer
WXYZ-TV Channel 7 1979-1981
Southfield, MI
Production Assistant
WXYZ-TV Channel 7 1978-1979
Southfield, MI
AWARDS & GRANTS
Creative Artists Grant – Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural
Affairs – 2003
Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies–2003 Community
Albums Project II
Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies–2002 Community
Albums Project
Walk This Way Grants – 1998
Ford Motor Company, Detroit Edison Foundation, Public Benefit Corporation,
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, ArtServe Michigan,
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Wooly Bully’s Rock-N-Diner,
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, The Center for Alternative Media,
IBM Corporation, Detroit Area Film & Television.
MCACA Grant – 1997
Project Grant Writer’s Award – Screenplay
Public Benefit Corporation – 1995 Grant Recipient
Documentary Film – A Poet’s Voice
National Conference of Artists – 1993 Grant Recipient
Documentary Film – A Poet’s Voice
Public Benefit Corporation – 1993, 1991 Grant Recipient
Documentary Film – Threads of Survival
Detroit Council for the Arts – 1990 Grant Recipient
Michigan Council for the Arts – 1989 Grant Recipient
EMMY Award – 1982 – Best Program Segment
National Association of Television Arts and Sciences
1979 Honors – Outstanding Achievement in Interview/Discussion
Programs (Taped)
National Association of Television Arts and Sciences
"WALK THIS WAY" AWARDS
Emmy Awards – Detroit, MI - 2000
Honors – Walk This Way
SuperFest XX – Berkeley, CA – 2000
Award of Excellence – Walk This Way
American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses Film Festival
- 2000
Screening – Walk This Way
East Lansing Film Festival - 2000
1st Place – Documentary Film Category – Walk This Way
Council on Foundations, Film & Video – Washington, D.C.
– 2000
Award – Walk This Way
National Health Information Awards - 1999
Silver Award – Walk This Way
Hopes & Dreams Film Festival - 1999
Selected – Walk This Way
New York Expo of Short Film & Video - 1999
Jury Award – Walk This Way
National Education Media Network – Oakland, CA – 1999
Gold Apple Award – Walk This Way
Nashville Independent Film Festival - 1998
Screened – Walk This Way
CINE Award – Washington, D.C. – 1998
Best Film Documentary – Walk This Way Council On Family Relations
- 1998
Special Recognition Award – Walk This Way
Walk This Way Grants – 1998
Ford Motor Company, Detroit Edison Foundation, Public Benefit Corporation,
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, ArtServe Michigan,
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Wooly Bully’s Rock-N-Diner,
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, The Center for Alternative Media,
IBM Corporation, Detroit Area Film & Television.
PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
ITVA – Corporate Communications Organization – Member
Detroit Area Film & Television – Board Member (Secretary)
Education
University of Michigan – BA – Communications Degree
Ann Arbor, MI Graduated 1979
Continuing Education Coursework:
Wayne State University – Instructional Technology
Oakland Community College – Writing Courses
Sony Institute – Lighting Corporate Programs, Multi-Media
for Video
Focal Point – Film – Cranbrook Academy
CONTACT