Saifan Azad

Camera Operations & Troubleshooting
Expert in operating professional broadcast and DSLR cameras, with the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve technical issues in the field.

Live Broadcast Equipment Management
Experienced in setting up and managing live transmission equipment including LiveU, SNG (Satellite News Gathering), and backpack streaming units for real-time reporting.

ENG (Electronic News Gathering)
Skilled in fast-paced, on-location news gathering with minimal crew, often in unpredictable or high-risk environments.

Field Reporting in Conflict Zones
Proven ability to work under extreme pressure in war zones and unstable areas, capturing critical footage while ensuring personal and team safety.

Video Editing (Final Cut Pro & Adobe Premiere Pro)
Fluent in post-production workflows including cutting, color correction, audio syncing, and exporting for broadcast standards.

Lighting & Audio Setup
Knowledgeable in three-point lighting techniques and wireless microphone systems for high-quality interviews and location shoots.

Storyboarding & Visual Planning
Strong pre-production planning, including script breakdown, shot lists, and visual storytelling for news and documentary content.

Multicamera Shooting
Capable of managing and directing multicamera setups for interviews, panel discussions, and live events.

Drone Cinematography (if applicable)
Experienced in capturing aerial footage using drones, adding cinematic value to news and documentary productions. (Remove if not certified.)

Remote Production & Live Streaming
Ability to set up and manage remote production environments, ensuring seamless coordination between field and control room teams.

File Transfer & Digital Delivery
Efficient in transferring large media files through FTP, cloud platforms, and newsroom servers under tight deadlines.

Team Collaboration & Crisis Management
Excellent communication and coordination with journalists, producers, and editors, especially during breaking news or emergency coverage.

Multilingual Communication.
Able to conduct interviews and communicate fluently in Arabic, Kurdish,Armenian.

• Operated video cameras during live events and productions.
• Set up lighting and audio equipment for video shoots.
• Managed camera angles and positioning for optimal shots.
• Assisted in editing video content using industry-standard software.
• Maintained equipment functionality through regular inspections and updates.
• Followed safety protocols while working in various environments.
• Set up and operated video cameras to record live events, such as concerts and sports games,TV News.
• Inspected equipment before use in order to identify any faults or defects that may affect performance.
• Organized digital media libraries by categorizing clips into folders according to project specifications.
• Coordinated with other members of the production team in order to ensure smooth running of shoots.
• Monitored sound levels while recording dialogue in order to obtain optimal quality recordings.
• Operated lighting equipment, switchers, audio boards, and other production related equipment during the broadcast of a show.
• Assisted with set-up, breakdown prior to, after filming sessions in order to prepare for next shoot.
• Ran cables from cameras to technical control rooms during live broadcasts.
• Captured events through video and still-shot cameras.
• Adjusted camera settings such as focus, exposure, and white balance to adapt to changing light conditions.
• Operated a variety of cameras for live broadcasts, ensuring smooth and error-free productions.

• As a long time member of the Associated Press family, the work I've done with AP is something I'm most proud of. As a producer, I oversee many aspects of reports such as camera operation, and video editing. Working alongside many prominent reporters such as Fayrouz Karawani, Ali Moosa, and Steven Nabil. Under the division of Al Hurra, Steven Nabil and I have delivered over 60 reports including breaking news coverage of the California Wild Fire (2018), Thousand Oaks Shooting (2018), and quality content such as Coachella Valley's infamous dates, Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in Hollywood, CA, and assisting in the Saudi Arabia Prince's Visit to Los Angeles, with whole coverage.

• For 3 years at TIMA, working alongside Ali Al Khafaji and Rasha Wamid for Al Iraqia and Al Quwait TV delivered more than 300 reports, documentaries, and programs in the west coast region. As an editor and camera-man we've covered breaking news reports and other interesting sites, locations and events. Most notably, covering the Iraqi Elections in Arizona, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq, Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

• During this time, coverage took place in North of Iraq (Kurdistan), thousands of reports and live shoots under the division of Abu Dhabi TV, Russia Today, EgyptTV, Al Arabia, TunisiaTV, and Al Hurra with reporters such as Amar Sataa, Srwa Abd El Wahed, Moneer Assad, and Yousef Mendelawi. With our most noteworthy work includes, a sit-down with President Faud Masum, and President Jalal Talabani; and covered Iraqi Election with Srwa Abd El Wahed in dangerous territory, such as Musul, and the war between the Turkish and PKK, North of Iraq.

• During the beginning of my career, an opportunity with Associated Press Baghdad sparked my interest in TV and film. While learning the ins and outs of the industry, we curated hundreds and thousands of reports in the Baghdad region. During this time, the Iraq War against the terrorists and civil war was ongoing, making the news reports crucial. We covered explosions, shootings, and deaths in Baghdad, and Anbar under the division of Al Hurra with Rafal Mehdi, Ziad Nihad, Mahmoud Fouad and many others.