About Us

President

ARMANDO ALMANZA

Armando Almanza, a native Texan, began his professional career as a photographer and editor in Austin, Texas. His work covering the 1984 Mexico City earthquake brought critical acclaim. Since then, he has won many awards for his work as a photographer, editor and producer, including numerous Emmy and Telly awards. Over the course of a career that has spanned twenty-five years he has covered international events including the Clinton-Yeltsin summit, Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, as well as other heads of state. His work has taken him all over the world including locations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia.

In 1994 Mr. Almanza founded Ventana Productions. Armando has assembled a talented, creative and experienced staff of photographers, editors, graphic artists, and producers. The company offers services in all areas of video production including videography, producing, writing, editing and graphic design.

Vice-President / Director of Photography

TIM MURRAY

Tim Murray is the Vice President of Ventana Productions. He has been a Director of Photography for over 30 years and is a four time National Emmy Award Nominee. Tim has traveled extensively as a DP throughout Central and South America, Europe and Asia. And he has shot interviews with Presidents H. W. Bush, Clinton, Obama and Trump and has covered seven Presidential inaugurations. In 1994 Tim was chosen as Nelson Mandela’s personal cameraman for his visit to Washington and White House meetings with then president Bill Clinton.

Originally from the Seattle area, he is personable, patient, and has a unique talent for capturing the true essence of a project. He is constantly researching and implementing new techniques in cinematography. The visual results are both modern and timeless.

Having spent three decades in Washington D.C., Tim has now returned to his roots, establishing the Pacific Northwest branch of Ventana Productions. With this new chapter, he embarks on a fresh journey, driven by a passion to continue shaping narratives that resonate deeply with audiences, while also embracing the natural beauty and creative energy of his native Washington.

Director of Photography

RICH JOY

Rich embarked on his journey with Ventana Productions as a Director of Photography in June 1997, a path ignited by a serendipitous encounter with Tim Murray during the 1996 conventions in San Diego. Since then, he has traversed through 27 remarkable years, encountering extraordinary individuals and weaving captivating narratives that have taken him across the globe, from the vibrant streets of Nicaragua to the resilient communities of Haiti, and the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa, and beyond.

Throughout his tenure, Rich has been privileged to collaborate with a myriad of talented professionals, each contributing their unique essence to the tapestry of storytelling. For him, the essence of his vocation lies not merely in capturing images, but in the art of storytelling itself—the power to unveil the human experience in all its depth and diversity.

As he continues along this ever-evolving odyssey, Rich remains steadfast in his commitment to honing his craft, perpetually seeking perfection in his artistry. For him, each day offers a new canvas upon which to paint the rich hues of human emotion and experience, and he eagerly anticipates the stories yet to unfold, the journeys yet to be embarked upon, and the narratives yet to be told.

Director of Photography

ED NESCOT

Ed joined Ventana Productions in New York as a Director of Photography in 2005, and took the reins as Director of Operations in 2010. After more than a decade of shooting and producing video, his skill and creativity behind the lens, tireless work ethic and positive outlook continue to exceed client expectations. His work can be seen nationally on the Dr. Oz Show, the Meredith Viera Show, and HGTV among others, and has earned him numerous industry accolades, including multiple Telly, Aurora, and New York Festivals Awards. Ed keeps fit for the rigors of field work by playing in 3 soccer leagues and running in trail and adventure races.

Director of Photography

JORDAN CORREDOR

As a Director of Photography, Jordan brings a wealth of experience and passion for capturing compelling video content. Jordan received his BA in Film from the University of Colorado – Boulder and has since developed his skills as a professional in commercial production, documentary filmmaking, and event coverage. With an eye for detail and a comprehensive understanding of cameras, lighting and audio, he consistently delivers stunning visuals that bring stories to life.

Jordan eagerly embraces new experiences and challenges, always seeking to push the boundaries of his creativity and storytelling. Whether on location or in the studio, Jordan takes on the opportunity to showcase the life of his subject, uncovering the essence of their stories and sharing them with the world. His love for both the art and technical aspects of filmmaking shines through in every project.

Audio Engineer

JUAN ROCHA

Juan has over a decade of field audio engineering experience and has been a key member of Ventana’s field production team since 2001. Notable productions include a recent trip to Peru with Kelly Clarkson for Free Trade Coffee and a 2010 trip to Angola for “Idol Gives Back”. He has a passion for all things audio and lives by the motto “just in case”, backing up his gear and his audio files so that everything goes smoothly. As an audio technician, Juan believes in capturing the very best audio he can in each situation while also having a great time on the set. Juan’s positive vibe is contagious and he is a huge plus for any production!

Audio Engineer

TONY STEWART

Tony has been a field audio engineer for 15 years, starting his career at Ventana Productions in 1998 as an audio technician and camera operator. He has been a valued member of countless productions, from live multi-cam shows with the President of the United States, to television, documentary and award winning corporate projects. In addition to his value as an audio technician, our clients love Tony for his sense of humor, his sense of direction, and his ability to find a great lunch spot anywhere in DC in a pinch! His past experience includes work as a firefighter and a schoolteacher. Tony is a fun and professional addition to any crew.

Post - Production Coordinator

CHARLIE BUNCE

Charlie Bunce has over 17 years of film and television experience. He has helped to guide many endeavors from pre-production, through the shoot, and into post. Whether he’s producing or editing, Charlie provides multiple layers of action to any video endeavor.
Charlie’s menu of accomplishments range from music video and studio talk shows to managing live events like the annual “Top Cop” awards or the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center and associate producing for television standouts like FOX (America’s Most Wanted), True TV, and MSNBC.

Director of Photography / Editor

TOM KNIER

Tom Knier is a two-time Emmy® award winning editor and director of photography. Beginning his career in television news at the end of the last millennium, he spent close to fifteen years with NBC as a photojournalist in his home state of Pennsylvania. High profile events like Super Bowls, World Series, and presidential interviews were routine, and today he brings that big-picture knowledge to every project on which he works. As a passionate storyteller, Tom works hand-in-hand with clients to craft messages which connect well with audiences. Outside of his life in the edit suite and on set, he is an accomplished still photographer with a passion for traditional film photography and a love for all things analog.

Editor

MARK CASALE

Mark is an award-winning and highly experienced video editor with over 25 years of expertise in the Washington DC area. As a valued member of the Ventana Productions team, he brings exceptional skills in visual storytelling to every project. His proficiency in industry-standard editing software allows him to transform raw footage into captivating and compelling stories. With a background in television broadcasting, film production, corporate communications, and digital media, Mark’s commitment to excellence and ability to consistently deliver outstanding results make him an invaluable asset to Ventana Productions’ success.

Beyond his video production work, Mark is a multi-instrumentalist performer and composer whose interests span a wide range of genres, from Americana to electronica.

Operations Coordinator

TRACI JENKINS

An Emmy award winning broadcast professional , Traci began her career as a line producer at CNN in Atlanta; producing a daily news/news-feature program for which she oversaw its taping, post-production, and supervising a staff of writers, editors, anchors, and graphic artists.
After moving to the DC area, she landed at the Retirement Living Network working as an associate producer and post supervisor. Later, Traci came on board at Ventana as the Post-Production Coordinator. Currently, Traci is our Operations Coordinator, managing Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, and payroll.

Operations Manager

JACKIE GABELA

Jackie brings over a decade of production experience, specializing in project, personnel, and organizational management, to Ventana Productions. Her recent role as a Technical Director at the U.S. Department of State involved producing live virtual programs, taking her across the globe from Kenya to Nepal, and allowing her to collaborate with diverse clients and audiences.

Now, as part of Ventana Productions, Jackie serves as an operations manager, where she liaises closely with clients to coordinate field and studio productions at the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

Assistant Production Coordinator

TAYLOR ROGERS

Taylor Rogers is an award-winning documentary filmmaker from North Carolina. Prior to landing in D.C., she kept busy by earning her Masters of Fine Arts from Wake Forest University’s Documentary Film Program. You can find her name in the credits of a variety of projects, some of which include Oscar nominated feature films and Emmy Award-Winning Marvel television series. Now, as the Assistant Production Coordinator for Ventana Productions, she’s excited to help bring your story to life and coordinate your shoots so they run as smoothly as possible. From props fabrication and cinematography to producing and coordinating, it is guaranteed that she’s seen it all! Preventing hiccups before they happen is Taylor’s forte. Around the office, you’ll hear her be referred to as “T1″… NOT to be confused with “T2” (see below).

Director of Business Development

RICH FEATHER

Rich Feather brings great energy and attention to detail as Ventana’s Director of Business Development – managing and expanding upon our corporate accounts and government staffing contracts. Rich was our Director of Operations for 13 years before moving to Malaysia in July of 2011. While in Malaysia, he was a stay at home dad but also found time to be Chairman of the Board for the American Employees Welfare Association at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Ventana Productions is fortunate to have Rich Feather back – helping us to grow into new areas of video and multimedia.

Chief Engineer

MARK BRADEN

As Chief Engineer of Ventana Productions, Mark takes care of all our internet, server, equipment and electronic needs. He builds studios and edit suites from scratch for our clients – with a keen sense of functionality and ROI. Mark became a video engineer in 1998 – installing switchers, edit boxes and computers for Henneger Post. In 2001, Mark was featured in ICOM Magazine as Chief Engineer of Commonwealth Film Lab. He joined Ventana Productions in September of 2012. On a daily basis, Mark applies his technical expertise in many ways – assuring our remote and live multimedia systems are working like a charm! We are so fortunate to have Mark Braden as our Chief Engineer!

Studio Manager

CHANDLER BRAMSTEDT

With a background in communications and film, Chandler brings a diverse and unique skill set to his role as Studio Manager. In his current role, Chandler oversees the execution of studio productions, ensuring that everything from lighting, camera, and audio operates effectively. His dedication and keen eye for detail make him an invaluable asset to the team.

While Chandler is committed to the growth and efficiency of the studio, his long-term goal is to transition back into the field as a camera operator or director of photography. With his friendly demeanor, approachable personality, and unwavering professionalism, Chandler is not only a leader within the studio but also a trusted collaborator and mentor.

Webcast Producer

FRANK RACHAL

Frank began his professional career as an Audio Engineer at GVI, a video production company specializing in corporate, government, and organizational video production. During his 16 year tenure, he eventually became the Operations Manager, all while continuing his work on independent films, working on more than 30 projects as the Director of Photography, Gaffer, or Sound Recordist.

With the advent of Webcasting, he became an expert in the field, overseeing several productions. In 2014, he joined Ventana Productions as Webcast Producer. He has overseen a variety of webcasts from press conferences, forums, special events, as well as multi-day conferences. With his additional experience in Operations, he’s been an invaluable asset in assisting and coordinating every type of production.

Production Assistant

TAYLOR WRIGHT

I’m Taylor Wright, but around the office, you’ll often hear me referred to as T2 (not to be confused with T1). Hailing from the Washington, DC area, I’m diving headfirst into the world of video production, eager to lend a hand in any way possible on set.