net@uwmacc.UUCP (jeff kesselman) (10/21/86)
I am going to be graduating at the end of this year from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in "Computer Image
Generation". This self tailored degree program combines a
rigorous training in computer science from our Computer Science
department with that of a degree in film from our Communications
Arts department. I have two unusual types of qualifications to
offer the right company.
First is the extensive early background and work experience I
have acquired. I can bring to the job not just course work and
independent academic study, but a history as a computer science
professional and a TV/Film production enthusiast that is much
stronger than normal for a newly graduated BS.
The second feature of my background that I think is particularly
important is the interdisciplinary nature of my training. This
dual sided background allows me to "speak two languages", that of
the filmmaker as well as that of the computer scientist.
Attached is a copy of my resume. If you would prefer a laser
printed hardcopy, please mail me at any of the below addresses.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey P. Kesselman
UUCP: ihnp4!uwvax!maccunix!net
AARPA: net@unix.macc.wisc.edu
US MAil: 1726 Hoyt #9, Madison WI 53705
(If you mail electronicly, please provide me with both an AARPA
and UUCP address for return correspondence, as maccunix does not
know as many AARPA hosts as it should.)
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Jeffrey P. Kesselman
1726 Hoyt, #9 Age: 23
Madison, WI 53705 Status: Single
Home: (608) 238-5496 Available: Summer 1987
Office: (608) 263-4333
Summary of Experience:
Despite my youth, I have been programming for 15 years, and
been involved in varying capacities in television and film
production for 16.
Career Objectives:
To be actively involved in the creation of the new digital
film industry and in the production of feature film.
Work-Record Highlights:
In June through August of 1984, between my freshman and
sophomore years, I worked as a summer intern for IBM-
Kingston. I led a four-man team charged with the conceptual
design and implementation of an animated demo as a sales aid
for a product that was to be released at the end of the
summer. In order to accomplish this task, another programmer
and I transported the code for the IBM product "PC Palette"
to the 3270 PC, which has a very differently mapped graphics
screen.
In the process of developing the demo itself, drawing on my
experience as a television technical director, I helped our
team greatly enhance PC Palette's show driver. We added a
whole range of video effects such as wipes, dissolves, and
negative image generation. Many of the enhancements we
originated have since found their way into the standard
repertoire of presentation graphics packages.
When we demonstrated the demo to the sales staff at the end
of the summer, it received a standing ovation. After our
special showing for our third-line manager, the man who
"owns" the 3270PC project, he invited us to have lunch with
him before our internships expired. The demo proved so
outstanding that it has been shipped to IBM sales offices
world-wide. The other three people who worked with me on the
project have all since graduated and were hired by IBM.
In June through August of 1985, the summer between my
sophomore and junior years, I worked for Mattson Instruments
of Madison, WI., who manufacture a line of computer
controlled spectrometers. Their flagship is the panted
"Cryolect", a completely automated combination of a gas
chromatograph coupled to an IR spectrometer. A number of
Mattson designs have been licensed to Fujitsu for overseas
production and sales. I worked as a floater, cleaning up
code and writing extensions.
In February, 1986, during my junior year, I was hired by the
Wisconsin Center for Education Research as on-staff
microcomputer consultant. My job has been to advise and
assist all phases of microcomputer activity at the center.
This has ranged from tracking down and installing the least
expensive good-quality hard disks for the center's dual
floppy PCs, to training and assisting the staff in learning
their new software. While going to school full time, I have
continued to work there 20 hours a week over the last summer
and into this, my senior year.
I am also currently employed, for a few hours each month, as
a technical editor for two microcomputer publications put out
by "The Business Computer Inc." of Madison. One is a
nationally syndicated newspaper column on the business uses
of microcomputers, the other is a microcomputer news letter
for CPAs.
Education:
In addition to my early background (see below) , by the end
of this school year I will have completed a B.S. Degree in
Computer Image Generation from the University of Wisconsin-
Madison's College of Letters and Sciences. This is a self-
designed, interdisciplinary combination of courses which has
taught me the fundamentals of both the science of software
design, and the art and esthetics of modern film production.
The courses that make up my major, and the grades earned so
far are as follows:
Course work to date
Algorithmic Programming: A
Data Structures: A
Machine Code: C
Intro to Systems: A/B
Intro to Compiler Design: A
Intro to Database Systems: B
Intro to Film: A/B
Radio, TV, Film and Society: A/B
History of the
American Film Industry: A
Computer Mediated Art: A
2nd Semester: A
Course work still underway
Theory of 2D design
Critical Film Analysis
Intro to Film Production
Computer Graphics (CAD)
Advanced Film Production
Final Project:
Senior's Thesis: The KMATION system.
A CSG/Brep solid modeling animation system,
specifically designed to provide a low cost
alternative for individual artists wishing to
experiment with computer animation. The system is
being developed to run on a stock Commodore/Amiga
1000 and utilizes a simple, inexpensive, easy-to-
build interface for controlling a photographic
cable release. I designed the interface myself,
with the help of a friend in Electrical
Engineering.
Early Background:
I began learning to program at the age of eight, thanks to
the patient instruction of my older brother (an MIT graduate
who now is a computer hardware and software engineer at IBM).
When I was in Junior High, in Great Neck, NY, I was accepted
as a member of the Great Neck South Senior High School
computer club. We had a terminal to a DEC System/10 running
timesharing and, one evening a week, were allowed to program
the school's administrative Honeywell 2000 in Fortran.
Moving to Madison, WI at age 14, I made friends with some
members of the UW-Madison's Computer Science Lab and was
given access to a number of machines including a PDP-11/45
running UNIX. That fall I started my freshman year at
Madison West High School. There I started the school's first
computer club.
I first encountered microcomputers when a Great Neck neighbor
bought an Altair 8008. When I moved to Madison, I gained
access to a TRS 80 in a local radio shack and wrote the store
series of simple graphics demos. I later programmed
extensively on computers owned by various friends, including
a Commodore Pet, SuperPet, and C64. (I now own an Amiga 1000
development system.)
My first look at a television studio came at age 6, when I
was "talent" on a New York children's television show, "Time
for Joya." (Joya was a friend of my first grade teacher.)
As part of being selected as "talent", I had to interview for
the show. I said I liked science and technology, so they
gave me a tour. The control booth awed and fascinated me,
and I knew I wanted a chance to work with fancy equipment
like that.
When I was about 8 my father bought a super 8 movie camera
and projector. I made a lots of home movies, and a short
documentary of a visit to the Smithsonian Institute.
My junior high school in Great Neck contained a black-and-
white television studio that was linked in a closed-circuit
system to the entire school district. I was part of a group
that broadcast a ten-minute news show run solely by the
students (after a four week initial training period). I
joined the show as a "mobile" cameraman in my first year of
junior high, and in my second year became technical director.
In high school (in Madison), when a public access cable
station was formed in February of 1979, I immediately became
involved. I crewed for a number of early productions, and
later directed my own special-interest show for two very
successful years, training most of the crew and talent.
Professional Affiliations:
Ran my own "garage shop" software and accessory hardware
dealership to pick up extra cash during my first two years of
college.
Student member of ACM-Siggraph, selected as a student
volunteer for Siggraph '86.
Founding member of CAMEO, the Commodore Amiga Madison
Enthusiasts Organization, a user group made up of a mix of
technical professionals and Amiga end users.
Write a monthly column for Ready, the journal of the Madison
Commodore Users Group, CAMEO's parent organization.
Honors and Awards Earned:
College:
2 Semesters on Dean's List.
Founding member, UW-Madison Computer Science
Undergraduate Project Lab.
Student delegate to 1985 Alexander Mikeljohn
foundation conference on experimental education.
Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS) certificate-of-
completion.
Student member of ILS Department Faculty Review
Committee.
ILS Student Activities Committee member for two
years.
Projectionist and Dorm Liaison for FOCUS Film
Society.
Treasurer, Green Lantern Eating Coop.
High School:
Member, Varsity Debate team.
National Merit Scholar.
References:
Available on request.