Skilled at combining technical knowledge with creative storytelling to edit content that evokes emotion, engages viewers, and creates connections in moments of celebration and sadness. Working independently or collaborating with clients, producers, creative directors, VFX artists, colorists, and/or sound designers to deliver content that’s creatively sharp and technically flawless. Every project in my portfolio reflects years spent mastering the craft of shaping scripted and unscripted footage into stories with purpose.
dlester
Senior Video Editor with a career spanning over two decades. My entry into the industry began in local cable advertising—producing, directing, and editing commercials. From there, I expanded into editing long-format (one- and two-hour) motorsports programs, corporate training videos, and sizzle reels, while directing and editing national commercial campaigns.
That hands-on production foundation led to fifteen years of collaborating with and learning from exceptionally creative individuals and teams to create and edit content for the world’s biggest sports and entertainment brands, including Inside the NBA, NBA TV, WNBA, MLB, PGA, NASCAR, ELeague, NWSL, and UEFA Champions League. My work has aired on TNT, TBS, CBS, truTV, Twitch, and across major social platforms, alongside high-impact sales and marketing reels for Turner Sports, Scripps Sports, Delta Air Lines, and The Coca-Cola Company.
As generative tech reshapes post-production, I continuously experiment with modern AI platforms across video synthesis, asset generation, and LLMs. Combining these cutting-edge tools with a deep broadcast and directorial background lets me elevate creative direction and streamline technical execution at the highest level.
Portfolio
The Collection
Examples from a career of telling stories for the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Highlighting the emotional ups and downs in professional sports reaching worldwide viewership through linear and over-the-top broadcasts on TNT, TBS, truTV, CBS, Twitch, YouTube, and B/R Live.
A concentrated Look
at the craft through pacing, cuts, music, color, and storytelling instinct, compressed into quick demos, designed to give a fast read on skill level and quality of work that can be expected throughout my portfolio. All examples are from past projects and are available in the Full Portfolio.
30 seconds
to get attention and tell a story. Whether that's a local-cable commercial, network promo or a national commercial. Over a decade cutting promos for TNT, TBS, CBS, and truTV, building on earlier commercial work featuring sports celebrities like Terry Bradshaw, Lee Corso, and Dick Vitale.
Awards & Nominations
PROMAX NORTH AMERICA & GLOBAL EXCELLENCE
Art Direction and Design | NBA All-Star Rising Stars Tease
(Feat. Voice of Snoop Dogg)
Services
Video Editing
with Adobe Premiere Pro and Creative Cloud to create content that captivates audiences and engages viewers. Drawing on a deep understanding of post-production technology and creative capabilities to design fluid workflows and processes, thus benefiting creativity and saving critical time.
Motion
Graphics
created with Adobe After Effects and Photoshop to establish art direction and style. Bringing graphics to life with motion that supports the story, making every element feel intentional while adhering to style guide specifications to ensure on-brand themes stay consistent across television and social platforms.
Color
Grading
tools DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Lumetri to shape mood, depth, and emotion in every scene. Integrating knowledge of color science and broadcast compliance ensures that visual tones remain cohesive while meeting strict technical specifications for a beautifully finished screen presentation.
