Serkan Stage, Lead Editor
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Emmy Award-winning videographer and editor with 20+ years of experience producing high-impact visual content across major broadcast networks. Expert in capturing compelling, real-time moments and shaping them into dynamic, story-driven pieces under tight deadlines. Proven ability to balance speed with cinematic storytelling, delivering content that engages audiences and elevates narrative impact. Creative lead editor in long form storytelling, indie film and documentaries.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Photojournalist
KABC
Los Angeles, CA
03.2026 - Current
- Collaborate daily with reporters and producers to capture and produce breaking and daily news content
- Shoot, edit, and deliver stories under tight deadlines for broadcast
- Set up and manage live shots, ensuring technical accuracy and strong visual presentation
- Adapt quickly in fast-moving environments to capture critical moments and evolving stories
Special Projects Videographer / Editor
KTLA
Los Angeles, CA
01.2026 - Current
- Lead videography and editing for long-form and special projects content, focusing on elevated storytelling and visual impact
- Execute multi-camera productions, managing compositing, lighting, and technical setup
- Craft compelling narratives through editing, with an emphasis on pacing, tone, and audience engagement
- Collaborate with producers and creative teams to develop high-quality, feature-driven segments
- Creative video editor
Photojournalist
NBCUniversal Network News
Los Angeles, CA
01.2016 - 10.2025
- Produced content for NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, Today Show, and national platforms
- Executed multi-camera setups for high-profile and special project shoots
- Covered major breaking news events in high-pressure environments
Videographer / Editor
KABC ABC 7
Los Angeles, CA
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Shot and edited high-impact news stories designed to maximize viewer engagement
- Delivered live shots using ENG, DSNG, and satellite systems
Photojournalist: News & Special Projects
KPIX5 CBS News 5
San Francisco, CA
03.2014 - 07.2016
- Conduct shooting and editing for all newscasts and breaking news while meeting immediate deadlines
- Lead special projects and serve as videographer / editor for long-form news stories
Photojournalist / Editor
Fox 5 News
San Diego, CA
02.2011 - 03.2014
- Lead special projects as videographer / editor and work with reporters on long-form news stories
- Shoot video with multi-cameras and creatively edit images into impactful stories
Photojournalist / Commercial Producer: Creative Services
KESQ ABC News 3
Palm Springs, CA
06.2007 - 02.2011
- Award for Reliability and Exceeding Expectations
- Produce, direct, shoot, edit commercials and award-winning mini documentaries
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mass Communication and Television Broadcasting
Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, COSkills
- Editing: Premiere Pro, Avid, Final Cut
- Cameras: Sony FX3, FX6, Canon C300, Panasonic P2
- Live Production: Dejero, LiveU, DSNG/Satellite
- Languages: English (native), German (conversational)
- Image editing
- Creative vision
- Visual storytelling
- Drone photography
- Adobe photoshop expert
- Lighting tools
- Deadline driven
- Problem-solving
Accomplishments
The companies I worked for needed videographers/editors that where not just ordinary. I accomplished being a top employee by not being ordinary, but by excelling in how I tell stories. To be a lead videographer/editor, I looked beyond the lens. I imagined a world, where every piece of the puzzle had more connections to paint a bigger story. When I look at one angle of the story, I know that there are other directions and angles to look at and keep in mind. So when I shoot and edit these stories, im not missing any pieces of the puzzle, and what I deliver is far past ordinary.
Certification
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License
- Hostile Environment and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT) Certified
Timeline
Photojournalist
KABC
03.2026 - Current
Special Projects Videographer / Editor
KTLA
01.2026 - Current
Videographer / Editor
KABC ABC 7
07.2021 - 12.2021
Photojournalist
NBCUniversal Network News
01.2016 - 10.2025
Photojournalist: News & Special Projects
KPIX5 CBS News 5
03.2014 - 07.2016
Photojournalist / Editor
Fox 5 News
02.2011 - 03.2014
Photojournalist / Commercial Producer: Creative Services
KESQ ABC News 3
06.2007 - 02.2011
Bachelor of Science - Mass Communication and Television Broadcasting
Colorado State University Pueblo
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
7 Emmy Awards | 40+ Emmy Nominations, 5 Edward R. Murrow Awards and 15 nominations, 4 Mark Twain Awards, 2 ABC Alpha Awards, 1 ADDY Award
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS & FIELD EXPERIENCE
- Sole NBC camera operator on-site during the 2024 Trump assassination attempt; served as the first visual source for correspondents and managed multiple breaking-news walk-and-talk live shots
- Pool camera operator covering JD Vance’s emergency plane landing, August 2024
- War coverage in Ukraine, July 2022
- Completed 100 hours with Angeles National Forest as a Type 2-IA Wildland Firefighter, June 2021
SELECTED WORK
- Live News Coverage (LA / SF) https://youtu.be/w81sDUh0Tjk | https://youtu.be/5ZrZ1iZbujI
- Longform & General News: https://youtu.be/BO023eJuboi | https://youtu.be/fnUGRMhy4h0
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serkanstage/
5 Edward R. Murrow Awards
I am a story teller, a visionary that will go to great lengths to accomplish being the best videographer/editor. I work well in teams and I work well on my own when the boss is counting on me to complete the project from beginning to end and meeting deadline needs. I will be the best lead editor you hire because, I take critique well, and I am always open to new ideas but I will leave a lasting impact on work assigned to me because its important to me, that what I bring to the table with my experience brings to life the story you want to tell.