I am an Emmy Award-winning video editor with 17+ years of experience producing and editing compelling short-form and long-form content. I transform lengthy raw footage into tight, high-impact edits optimized for PBS, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, with a focus on pacing, narrative clarity, and audience retention. My background is rooted in documentary and nonprofit storytelling rather than product demos, but the core editorial skills are the same: finding the signal in long-form footage, removing dead air and repetition, and shaping a clear, engaging narrative for a specific audience. I am expert in Adobe Premiere Pro, with strong command of pacing, mobile-first storytelling, and vertical video formats, and I deliver polished results independently with minimal oversight. I also support accessibility through captioning and audio description where appropriate.

Danica Cullinan

I am an Emmy Award-winning video editor with 17+ years of experience producing and editing compelling short-form and long-form content. I transform lengthy raw footage into tight, high-impact edits optimized for PBS, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, with a focus on pacing, narrative clarity, and audience retention. My background is rooted in documentary and nonprofit storytelling rather than product demos, but the core editorial skills are the same: finding the signal in long-form footage, removing dead air and repetition, and shaping a clear, engaging narrative for a specific audience. I am expert in Adobe Premiere Pro, with strong command of pacing, mobile-first storytelling, and vertical video formats, and I deliver polished results independently with minimal oversight. I also support accessibility through captioning and audio description where appropriate.

Available to hire

I am an Emmy Award-winning video editor with 17+ years of experience producing and editing compelling short-form and long-form content. I transform lengthy raw footage into tight, high-impact edits optimized for PBS, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, with a focus on pacing, narrative clarity, and audience retention.

My background is rooted in documentary and nonprofit storytelling rather than product demos, but the core editorial skills are the same: finding the signal in long-form footage, removing dead air and repetition, and shaping a clear, engaging narrative for a specific audience. I am expert in Adobe Premiere Pro, with strong command of pacing, mobile-first storytelling, and vertical video formats, and I deliver polished results independently with minimal oversight. I also support accessibility through captioning and audio description where appropriate.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Video Producer and Outreach Coordinator at The Language & Life Project
August 1, 2007 - Present
Lead digital storytelling and multimedia communications supporting university research, outreach, and public engagement. Conceptualize and manage multimedia video for web and social platforms reaching 76K+ YouTube subscribers and thousands of followers across Facebook and Instagram. Co-produce award-winning public television documentaries from concept through post-production, translating complex linguistic research into engaging public narratives. Script and create short-form videos promoting academic programs, archival projects, and community initiatives. Edit multimedia content in collaboration with colleagues to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with project standards. Capture video and photography at live events and community programs for web and social media. Maintain and update websites using content management systems with accessible and SEO-aware content. Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and students to identify stories aligned with university priorities. Develop ou
Freelance Audio Describer at Self-Employed
August 1, 2021 - Present
Write and deliver detailed audio descriptions for film, live performances, and museum exhibitions to ensure accessibility for audiences with visual impairments. Translate visual and technical content into clear, concise narrative aligned with accessibility standards.
Library Associate at Special Collections Research Center Library, NC State University Libraries
August 1, 2008 - May 1, 2010
Created and edited web-based finding aids and digital exhibits promoting archival collections while improving digital discoverability. Supported public engagement through reference services and educational outreach.
Research and Teaching Assistant at NC State University English Department
August 1, 2006 - May 1, 2008
Conducted, edited, and described hundreds of recorded interviews for public online access through a large linguistic archive. Assisted instruction for History of the English Language, supporting curriculum development and student learning.
Audio Producer at Trés Americas Project
June 1, 2006 - July 1, 2006
Collaborated with local musicians and historians for a community-focused exploration of the musical traditions of Panama. Produced and edited Trés Americas Project: Panama.
Video Producer & Editor at NC State University – Language & Life Project
August 1, 2007 - Present
Edit short-form and long-form video content in Adobe Premiere Pro, with consistent focus on pacing, narrative clarity, and audience retention — transform lengthy raw footage into concise, high-impact clips for YouTube and social media distribution. Build short-form vertical video content for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, applying platform-specific best practices for mobile viewing. Apply visual, audio, and timing judgment to elevate production value — including color, sound design, and graphic elements such as watermarks and lower-thirds. Manage end-to-end post-production workflows across simultaneous projects, consistently meeting deadlines with minimal oversight. Collaborate with distributed remote teams; organize digital assets and maintain delivery timelines across multiple concurrent productions. Selected credits: Emmy Award-winning Talking Black in America series (PBS); First Language: The Race to Save Cherokee (Emmy winner, American Indian Film Festival Best P
Freelance Video Editor & Producer at Independent (Remote)
May 1, 2011 - Present
Produce and edit short-form fundraising and promotional videos for nonprofit clients from concept through final delivery — independently managing all production decisions. Edit performance-driven content balancing clear messaging with viewer engagement, with fast turnaround and minimal revision cycles.
Special Collections Library Associate at NC State University
August 1, 2007 - Present
Edited, captioned (including dialect-sensitive captioning), and audio described hundreds of video and audio recordings for online access.

Education

M.S., Library Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
January 11, 2030 - April 15, 2026
M.A., English (Linguistics) at North Carolina State University
January 11, 2030 - April 15, 2026
B.A., Anthropology; B.A., Spanish (Cum Laude) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
January 11, 2030 - April 15, 2026
Certificate in Documentary Studies at Duke Center for Documentary Studies
January 11, 2030 - April 15, 2026
Master of Science in Library Science at UNC Chapel Hill
January 11, 2030 - May 8, 2026
Master of Arts in English (Linguistics) at North Carolina State University
January 11, 2030 - May 8, 2026
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology & Spanish (Cum Laude) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
January 11, 2030 - May 8, 2026

Qualifications

Certificate in Documentary Studies
January 11, 2030 - April 15, 2026
Certificate in Documentary Studies
January 1, 2002 - May 8, 2026
Audio Describer Training
January 1, 2021 - May 8, 2026
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training
January 1, 2025 - May 8, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization