A&A MEDIA PRO
Advanced Door Installation
with Casey Knips
Professional E-Learning Production & Technical Direction
Project Role: Lead Cinematographer (DOP), Technical Lead, and Editor (Pocket Doors Module)
Production Team: Produced by Fine Homebuilding
Production Type: Multi-Camera Field Production / Long-Form Educational Course
Project Overview
This flagship e-learning series features master carpenter Casey Knips (True Fit Carpentry) and was developed by the Fine Homebuilding editorial team. The course provides high-level instruction on the most challenging door installations in custom residential construction.
As the Lead Cinematographer and Technical Lead, I was responsible for transforming Casey’s active woodworking shop into a high-end production environment. Working alongside the Executive Producer, who managed the second camera and creative direction, I engineered the lighting, primary camera movement, and professional audio capture to ensure that every "precision-driven" detail of Casey's workflow was captured with broadcast-quality clarity.
1. Double Doors: Alignment & Sightlines
Production Focus: Shot on-location, I had to manage the natural light of the shop while highlighting the spatial impact of the double doors. I focused on clean, high-contrast shots of the meeting stiles, ensuring the "consistently high standard" Casey is known for was visually evident.
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Production Role: Lead Camera, Location Lighting, and Audio Engineering.
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Module Highlights: Precision leveling and hardware symmetry.
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Official Link: View Module at Fine Homebuilding
2. Pocket Doors: Engineering & Space (Edited by Andres Samaniego)
Production Focus: Shot on-location, I had to manage the natural light of the shop while highlighting the spatial impact of the double doors. I focused on clean, high-contrast shots of the meeting stiles, ensuring the "consistently high standard" Casey is known for was visually evident.
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Production Role: Lead Camera, Location Lighting, and Audio Engineering.
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Module Highlights: Precision leveling and hardware symmetry.
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Official Link: View Module at Fine Homebuilding
3. Flush-Concealed Doors: High-Design Integration
Production Focus: Capturing "hidden" doors in a shop setting required absolute stillness in the frame. I utilized macro-cinematography to show how the door integrates with paneling and trim, managing the acoustics of the shop to ensure Casey's explanation of "design intent" remained crisp and clear.
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Production Role: Lead Camera, Lighting Design, and Technical Oversight.
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Module Highlights: Secret access, design intent, and concealed hardware.
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Official Link: View Module at Fine Homebuilding
Technical Responsibilities:
On-Location Engineering
For the duration of this multi-day shoot at True Fit Carpentry, my role included:
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Field Engineering: Adapting the "in-house" studio tech to a shop environment, including multi-camera signal flow and the main director’s monitor.
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Audio Architecture: Managing the acoustics of a large shop to capture professional-grade instructional audio while power tools and equipment were in proximity.
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Workflow Management: Coordinating with the Executive Producer to sync primary and secondary camera feeds for a streamlined post-production process.
Behind The Scenes:
The Tech Behind the Teaching
A look at the in-house studio environment—from the synchronized multi-cam monitoring station to the specific lighting rigs used for the pocket door module.
Credits & Resources
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Presenter: Casey Knips (True Fit Carpentry)
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Publisher: Fine Homebuilding E-Learning
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Production Team: Fine Homebuilding (Lead Cinematographer/Editor: Andres Samaniego)
Let's Work
Together
info@aamediapro.com
203-979-7894
CT, NY, MA
Notice: The projects featured here represent the professional portfolio of Paul Samaniego and A&A Media Pro. Certain works were produced in collaboration with or under the employment of third-party organizations (e.g., Fine Homebuilding). All rights to the featured brands and logos belong to their respective owners. No content may be downloaded or repurposed without express written consent.