Brian Brazda
Indian Head Park, IL 60525-4353
voice (708) 246-9000 Fax (708) 246-9001
email brian@brazda.com
For nostalgic reasons, this page will remain optimized as it began - for loading using Netscape 1.0 over 1200 baud dialup.
Areas Of Specialized Competence
Digital desktop video/audio/MIDI production
Interactive application systems design
Kiosk (touch screen) video information systems
Application software design & development
Programming language/script design & development
MS-DOS, and related operating systems.
PC compatible hardware architecture
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Web site design including A/V
HTML & animated GIF images
Videography & analog video production
35mm photography
Excellent tutorial & communications skills
Financial mathematics and calculations
BASIC and 808x Assembly languages
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Career Summary
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Programming "mission-critical" software on microprocessor-based systems in banking environments since the early 70's led to a thorough understanding of PCs and their capabilities at an intimate level. Chicago Systems was originally formed and later incorporated to consult to various Silicon Valley manufacturers and provide applications to the financial community.
When true-color graphics hardware was introduced in the mid 80's, CSI's interests shifted towards the artistic side of the PC (Macs were toys then).
Limited graphical tools were available, so we had to build our own.
CSI's "AVBASIC" engine
was created to provide a base for multimedia (didn't know to call it that, then) applications
ranging from touch-screen kiosks to A/V production systems.
In 1986, we produced what probably is the first-ever PC-based video on VHS See it on YouTube.
Along the way, other tools became available and were embraced
to the extent they made the job easier or the end result better.
Photoshop was introduced in 1990, FOUR YEARS after that.
Premiere 1.0 (Windows) was introduced in September, 1993, SEVEN YEARS later.
The last several years have been focused on providing print, video, internet,
and interactive services and products to an ever-expanding variety of markets.
CSI has since given way to Transgalaxy Productions.
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What I Spent Thru The 1990's Doing
Showcase Music Magazine (1993-1998) - Publisher / Partner / Science Officer.
Responsible for all Internet & PC-related aspects, including hardware & software selection, network installation & maintenance, communications, etc.
Responsible for technical production aspects including scanning, producing color separations, and print production.
Designed the cover and 4-color advertising using Photoshop & MS Publisher. Designed & laid out individual ads & pages.
Videography, 35mm photography and digitizing performed as needed. Now on the Web at www.musicmagazine.com - someday I'll do something with that.
Currently developing HTML utilities to automate the process of multipurposing
existing data, images, and digital audio up to the Internet.
Production services (web sites, demo & music videos, promotional materials, posters, merchandise art, etc.)
for local & national bands/musicians including
Dustin Parker,
Rachel Barton,
Cathy Richardson,
Styx, Dick Holliday,
Sister SlingShot, Gena's Bouquet, Creeper, Lori Ellsworth, Dyslexic Apaches, Camel Toe,
Electric Lunatics, Pamela Bradley, Nick Tremulis, Big Back Yard, etc., etc.
Videographer for 1995 Chicago Cheetahs (Roller Hockey International franchise). Also prepared various printed materials.
Designed & laid out 1995 season program,
THE CHEETAHS TALE (4-color & b/w) and (usually on a tight deadline) THE CHEET SHEET, the b/w game-by-game program.
Designed, laid out & separated team posters, newspaper ads, wallet schedules, & signage.
Also produced (designed, printed (full color), and laminated) parking passes, team & staff IDs, luggage tags, 2000+ season tickets, etc.
Developed interactive multimedia system (Midi-Vidi) for performance artists, including real-time musical instrument
keyboard control of PC-generated digital video sequences. (1991- )
Other Multimedia-Related Accomplishments
Co-founder (and software author) of Preview Digital Imaging, Inc.,
specializing in image retrieval systems for digital photos of real estate listings and travel applications. (St. Louis, 1992)
See the Preview System featured on St. Louis' Channel 4 News (11/30/92)
Various production (& pre- & post-) responsibilities for THE FAME FACTORY (almost) TV pilot, including camera operation, videotape editing, & AVBASIC graphics design. (1991-1992)
Designed and implemented CompuAdd Corporation's
training dept. video production system, incorporating PC-based digital video. (1990)
See the demo I used to pitch my AVBASIC system to Compuadd.
Designed & developed AVBASIC language for interactive digital video / audio production on IBM PC compatible microcomputers. (1986- )
Designed, developed, & integrated interactive video systems for VISITOR VIDEO GUIDE, St. Thomas, USVI (1986-1989) & VVG, Nassau, Bahamas (current)
Designed, developed, & integrated interactive video systems for trade show attendees. (1986) See demo on YouTube
Significant Other Accomplishments
Developed Installment Loan applications for VALLEY NATIONAL BANK, New Jersey (1992-1997)
Developed automated fax system (E.T. FAX) and mortgage loan calculations for customer contact & appointment reporting system for Telesales Unit, CITIBANK, Chicago. (1992)
Developed PCL-BASIC language for control and automation of HP-compatible laser printers (1992).
Developed PC-based automated reporting for Rolm phone systems at CITIBANK, Chicago, IL (1991)
Developed Paradox loan origination reporting system for MIS Dept., CITIBANK, Chicago, IL (1990)
Hardware & systems maintenance consultant to The Goeken Group (In Flight Phone Corporation), Oakbrook, IL (1990-91)
Designed & developed ILPS loan origination system used by BANK ONE, Portsmouth, Ohio (1989)
Designed & developed DOCBASIC forms generation language as a kernel for integration into applications software systems requiring document preparation. (1987)
Designed and developed Loan-easE loan origination system marketed by Great Lakes Business Forms, Grand Rapids, MI (1987-1988)
Developed Annual Percentage Rate software for CITICORP SAVINGS of Illinois and California on IBM PC and mainframe systems (in FORTRAN lol) for Adjustable Rate Mortgages. (1985-1992)
Designed and developed Victor Business Products' Installment Loan Processing System. (1984)
Provided technical and training assistance for Victor to other third party software developers working with the Victor 9000.(1982-1985)
Consulting for Burroughs Corporation during development of the B-25 microcomputer. (1985)
Beta test site for Microsoft during development and debugging of Business BASIC. Made recommendations regarding language design and coding deficiencies. (1985-)
Beta test site for Digital Research during development and debugging of CBASIC-86. Made recommendations regarding language design and coding deficiencies. (1984)
Consulting for Bank of America on proprietary communications and data base access software. (1984)
Chicago Systems, Inc. functioned as Applications Software Division for Exidy Systems during introduction of Sorcerer II (1981-1982)
Provided technical and training assistance to Commodore Business Machines for introduction of Commodore PET and CBM (1978-1980)
National Financial Marketing Manager for Victor Business Products' line of programmable calculators. Designed & implemented marketing strategies resulting in consistently increasing sales until the Commodore PET & Tandy TRS-80 blew them away. (1977-1978)
Educational Background
Bachelor Of Arts, Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA (1973)
World Campus Afloat, S70,F71,S72 (3 semesters circumnavigating the globe)
Piano/Theory major, American Conservatory Of Music, Chicago, IL
Mathematics/Physics major, Illinois Institute Of Technology, Chicago, IL
Graduated University Of Chicago High School at age 14
Multimedia Hardware Experience (currently or formerly installed)
Miro DC-1 MJPEG Video Adapter, AT&T (Truevision) VDA and ICB (1986-93), Creative Labs Video Blaster, Truevision Targa+, ComputerEyes RT & other, VGA -> NTSC converters (various), Creative Labs AWE64 Gold & the SoundBlaster family, Panasonic A/B roll SVHS video system with WJMX-50 switcher and AG-1970 decks, various scanners.
Multimedia Software Experience
CURRENT FREQUENT USE (in 1997):
Adobe Photoshop 3.0/4.0, Homesite 2.5, Macromedia Director, Visual Basic 4.0,
GIF Construction Set, Microsoft Publisher,
AVBASIC, CorelDraw, Aldus Photostyler, Adobe Premiere, Logitech FotoTouch,
Ares Fontmonger, Windows Write/Paint et al.,
Cakewalk and Voyetra MIDI sequencers (Windows & DOS versions),
proprietary HTML & A/V applications & utilities, various BASIC compilers.
RIDING THE LEARNING CURVE HARD ON:
Delphi 3
OCCASIONAL OR FORMER FREQUENT USE:
Microsoft Front Page '97, Truevision TIPS (Targa, ICB, VDA),
Quark XPress, Dr. Halo 2/3/4, Fractal Painter, Microtek ImageStar II, Aldus/Adobe Pagemaker, Ventura Publisher, Adobe Illustrator, Autocad Animator, Z-Soft PC Paint, WordPerfect 4/5/6, Harvard Graphics, and too many more to name.