I am a skilled storyteller and problem solver with over 20 years of experience, using innovative editing techniques to boost audience engagement and maximize production potential. I have edited hundreds of projects, ranging from short-form content optimized for algorithmic discovery to long-form series for streamers, networks, and brands. I bring a broad understanding of the entire production and post-production pipeline, a love for unique storytelling, and a reputation for taking projects from rough footage to locked cuts on time and with no drama.…

Mike Stivala

I am a skilled storyteller and problem solver with over 20 years of experience, using innovative editing techniques to boost audience engagement and maximize production potential. I have edited hundreds of projects, ranging from short-form content optimized for algorithmic discovery to long-form series for streamers, networks, and brands. I bring a broad understanding of the entire production and post-production pipeline, a love for unique storytelling, and a reputation for taking projects from rough footage to locked cuts on time and with no drama.…

Available to hire

I am a skilled storyteller and problem solver with over 20 years of experience, using innovative editing techniques to boost audience engagement and maximize production potential. I have edited hundreds of projects, ranging from short-form content optimized for algorithmic discovery to long-form series for streamers, networks, and brands.

I bring a broad understanding of the entire production and post-production pipeline, a love for unique storytelling, and a reputation for taking projects from rough footage to locked cuts on time and with no drama.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

FREELANCE PRODUCER / DIRECTOR at Amazon, YouTube, VH1, MTV, ESPN, Showtime, YouTube, FUSE, as well as individual corporate and entertainment clients.
March 28, 2012 - Present
I have worked as a one-person producer/shooter and as the supervisor of a production team both in office and in the field, producing short and long form content for corporate, on-line, and entertainment clients. Specific experience includes writing story arcs and scripts, conducting interviews, shooting b-roll, writing VO, addressing notes, and overseeing editing and final delivery.
Freelance Producer / Director at Freelance
January 1, 2012 - Present
One-person producer/shooter and production supervisor, delivering short and long-form content for corporate, online, and entertainment clients. Responsibilities include writing story arcs and scripts, conducting interviews, shooting B-roll, writing VO, addressing notes, and overseeing editing and delivery.
Producer / Director (Freelance) at Freelance
January 1, 2012 - Present
One-person producer/shooter and supervisor of a production team both in office and in the field, producing short and long-form content for corporate, online, and entertainment clients. Specific experience includes writing story arcs and scripts, conducting interviews, shooting B-roll, writing VO, addressing notes, and overseeing editing and delivery. I have worked with Amazon, VH1, MTV, ESPN, Travel Channel, Showtime, History Channel, YouTube, FUSE, as well as other clients, handling pre-production planning, on-set direction, and post-production oversight. Responsibilities include pre-production planning, on-set interviews, B-roll capture, VO scripting, note incorporation, and final delivery under tight deadlines. I have managed budgets and schedules, curated assets, and ensured final deliverables meet client specs while maintaining high production quality.
Freelance Producer / Director at Self-Employed
January 1, 2012 - Present
Wrote story arcs and scripts, conducted interviews, shot B-roll, wrote VO, addressed notes, and oversaw editing and delivery. Worked as a one-person producer/shooter or as the supervisor of a production team, creating short and long-form content for corporate, online, and entertainment clients. Notable experience includes writing/story arcs, interviewing, shooting, VO, and overseeing editing and delivery for diverse projects.
Freelance Producer / Director at Self-Employed / Freelance
January 1, 2012 - Present
I have worked as a one-person producer/shooter and as the supervisor of a production team both in office and in the field, producing short and long form content for corporate, online, and entertainment clients. Specific experience includes writing story arcs and scripts, conducting interviews, shooting b-roll, writing VO, addressing notes, and overseeing editing and delivery.
Senior Editor at Freelance
January 1, 2002 - Present
Lead editor on 1000+ projects across short-form content (web-series, branded content, snackable and evergreen) and long-form programming for streamers, cable, and broadcast networks. Collaborate with leadership to define an action strategy and set look-and-feel standards, then communicate them to editors and producers. Efficiently curate all assets (footage, audio, music, etc.), manage daily workflow to hit milestones, and deliver a polished first cut with music and fully mixed audio. Revisit the cut based on notes from supervising creative teams, and deliver a locked cut on time and to specifications, with minimal drama.
Senior Editor (Freelance) at Freelance
January 1, 2002 - Present
Lead editor and senior editor supervising a team; define action strategy, establish look standards, curate assets, manage daily workflow to hit milestones, deliver a polished first cut with music and fully mixed audio, iterate on notes from supervising creative team, and deliver a locked cut on time and to specification.
Senior Editor (Freelance) at Freelance / Self-employed
January 1, 2002 - Present
Significant depth of experience as both an individual editor and as a senior editor supervising a team. I communicate with leadership to create an action strategy, establish work and “look” standards for the project, and relay them to editors and producers. I work efficiently to curate all assets (footage, audio, music, etc.), manage daily workflow to hit milestones, and create and deliver a polished first cut with music and fully mixed audio. I re-work the project based on notes from the supervising creative team, and deliver a locked cut on time and to all specifications. I collaborate with editors, producers, and clients to maintain creative direction, pacing, color, and storytelling, and I mentor junior editors to uphold standards. I have edited over 1000 projects, including short-form content optimized for algorithmic discovery (web-series, branded content, snackable, evergreen content) as well as long-form content for streamers, cable and broadcast networks. I maintain a dram
Freelance Senior Editor at Self-Employed
January 1, 2002 - Present
Storyteller and problem solver who edited and, when needed, supervised a team across 1000+ projects for platforms including Netflix, Amazon, NBC, FOX, ESPN, Bravo, YouTube, HBO, and more. Collaborated with leadership to create action strategies and look/brand standards, efficiently curated assets, managed daily workflows to milestones, delivered polished first cuts with music and fully mixed audio, reworked cuts based on notes, and delivered locked cuts on time and to specification.
Senior Editor (Freelance) at Self-Employed / Freelance
January 1, 2002 - Present
Significant depth of experience as both an individual editor and as a senior editor supervising a team. I communicate with leadership to create an action strategy, establish work and 'look' standards for the project and communicate them to editors and producers. I work efficiently to curate all assets (footage, audio, music, etc.), manage daily workflow to hit milestones, craft and deliver a polished first cut with music and fully mixed audio, and re-work the project based on notes from supervising creative team. I deliver a locked cut on time and to all specifications.
FREELANCE EDITOR / POST PRODUCTION SPECIALIST at Netflix, Amazon, NBC, FOX, ESPN, Bravo, YouTube, Showtime, Vevo, MTV, VH1, A&E, HGTV, History Channel, HBO
December 30, 2001 - Present
I have a significant depth of experience as both an individual editor and as a senior editor supervising a team. As such, I communicate with leadership to create an action strategy, create work and “look” standards for the project and communicate them to editors and producers, work efficiently to curate all assets (footage, audio, music, etc), manage daily workflow to hit milestones, create and deliver a polished first cut with music and fully mixed audio, re-work the project based on notes or input from supervising creative team, and deliver a locked cut on time and to all specifications.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at Marywood University
September 10, 1990 - May 15, 1994
Major: Communication Arts- Radio/TV/Film -- Minor: English GPA 3.8
Bachelor of Arts in TV/Film at Marywood University
January 11, 2030 - April 22, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in TV/Film at Marywood University
January 11, 2030 - April 22, 2026
BA in TV/Film at Marywood University
January 11, 2030 - April 22, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in TV/Film at Marywood University
January 11, 2030 - May 21, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in TV/Film at Marywood University
January 11, 2030 - May 27, 2026

Qualifications

Avid Media Composer
April 21, 2026 - April 21, 2026
Adobe Creative Cloud
January 2, 2015 - April 21, 2026
Expert
Adobe Creative Cloud
January 2, 2015 - April 21, 2026
Video Post Production
January 2, 2001 - April 21, 2026
Expert, I often design workflows for projects
Remote Collaboration
March 19, 2020 - April 21, 2026
Expert
CapCut
December 31, 2024 - April 21, 2026
Script / VO writing
December 14, 2011 - April 21, 2026
Expert
Emmy Award (Individual)
January 11, 2030 - April 22, 2026
Emmy Award (Group)
January 11, 2030 - April 22, 2026
Emmy Nomination
January 11, 2030 - April 22, 2026
Emmy Award (Individual)
January 11, 2030 - May 21, 2026
Emmy Award (Group)
January 11, 2030 - May 21, 2026
Emmy Nominations
January 11, 2030 - May 21, 2026

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other, Software & Internet, Travel & Hospitality, Telecommunications
    BRANDED CONTENT - Entertainment Weekly

    I edited, created graphics, and post-produced for this series of celebrity focused, web-based, branded content for People Magazine/Entertainment Weekly.