People

Depending on client needs, CBV has had as many as 52 and as few as 1 freelancers working on a project at a time. Here are a few of the most familiar faces.

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CB Smith-Dahl, Director

CB Smith-Dahl is disruptive. She started working in film at a time when women behind the scenes were expected to make coffee and type up scripts. She did neither.

After learning photography and multi-camera soap opera production in an alternative high school, she worked as a camera assistant on music videos during college and began directing short films. Upon moving to Los Angeles, Ms. Smith-Dahl put her directing on hold for nearly a decade, while continuing to work on documentaries, low budget/indie film, and syndicated television as a Lighting Technician/Grip, Camerawoman and Director of Photography.  This work led to jobs as a Videographer and Writer/Director for red carpet/gossip news outlets. She also had small roles on several award winning documentaries, including “Angola: Prison Rodeo” which was nominated for an Academy Award.

Next, she had twin girls and founded Community Bridge Video. She’s directed, lit & lensed hundreds of educational and promotional videos for government agencies, non-profits, and small businesses. She has a BA from Spelman College and MFA from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Ms. Smith-Dahl does drink coffee. Daily. Makes it for herself.

Danielle Thompson, Director of Photography

A graduate of MetWest High School and the Media Enterprise Alliance program, Danielle started out at CBV as an intern. She’s been a force of nature with camera, lighting, and editing over the past 3 years.

She is also a student at Cal State East Bay.

Edgar “Jackfruit” Ayala, Post-Production Coordinator/Lead Editor & Audio Tech

A talented DJ Edgar works on select CBV projects including The WO-Doc. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University, where he studied Audio Engineering and Production. Edgar tracks projects ensuring that they make it through post-production on schedule and on budget. He consistently brings together images, audio, and music in the most beautiful ways for videos and podcasts.  He is also one of the promotors for local music collectives Global Barrio and Vivrant Thangz.

Jenny Chu, Camera Operator

After spending years as a still photographer, Jenny Chu shifted her focus to tv and documentary film and received a masters degree in journalism at U.C. Berkeley. She has traveled extensively, documenting the ethnic minority groups of China, the massive changes overtaking Shanghai, and the struggles of those in war-torn and poverty-stricken African countries. Now she produces video news stories and documentaries both locally and abroad. Her clients include Frontline World, KQED, Asian Art Museum, SF Jazz, SEIU-UHW, Time.com and Community Bridge Video.

Beto Lopez, Camera Operator & Drone Photographer

Talented photographer/videographer with hip-hop stylings. He has spent his entire adult life traveling the country to film the lives of Bboy and Bgirl dancers for his passion project: a documentary titled “The Bboy Connection.” He combines his experience as a dancer, rollerskating enthusiast, and RC car racer to create moving camera shots and angles. Lately he’s been in high demand for his aerial cinematography/drone work throughout the United States, China, and Spain.

Keena Romano, Camera Operator

Talented with both brushes and lenses, this visual artist often shoots photos and video for us. Her work with the Berkeley Mural Festival, Oakland Mural Festival, Attitudinal Healing Connection, San Francisco Women’s Center, and Oakland Public Schools can be found throughout the Bay Area.

Vincent Huergas, Camera Operator/Cinematographer

A regional Emmy winner, Vince is a lighting and camera expert. He’s been working with CBV for just under a decade. Always professional, Vince is also especially talented at capturing children and youth in their best light. He started out shooting music videos in East Oakland and now works as a camera operator at many San Francisco live events including the Outside Lands festival and corporate conferences.

Roy Wanguhu, Cinematographer

An amazing cinematographer and producer that brings so much talent and vision to each project he touches.

Curtis Jermany, Still Photographer

Curtis Jermany is the founder of two photography companies: A Love Affair Photography, specializing in weddings and Moodology Photography, which focuses on headshots, portraits, and fashion photos. For CBV Curtis covers events, corporate portraits, and documentary style work.

Keith Strand, Editor

A freelance editor and motion graphics specialist with an eye for storytelling. Keith comes from a background in music and agency work. He always finds the hidden gems in raw footage. He is a graduate of New York University.