Bio: Bob Urban

Hello and thank you for checking out my site! I started my career in the entertainment business back in January of 1981 at Centel Cable TV in Elgin, IL. A 'local origination' based cable outfit, we produced a nightly newscast called the Channel 6 Fox valley Report as well as various talk shows, telethons, corporate videos, commercials and sporting events.

For 5 years I honed my skills in both production and engineering. In 1987 Centel sold off their cable stations and I headed for my home state of Minnesota where I became an Executive Sports Producer at Minneapolis Television Network, a community based cable station. In my capacity there, I developed a complex communications link between remote locations and the MTN studio enabling us to send back a live feed from a sporting event to the studio where they added graphics, replays and a live studio halftime show with call in questions and comments. As a hobby during these times I developed and produced a live weekly variety call-in show called Up Late Thursdays. Lasting over 5 years, the show was featured on 'Access America' with Fred Willard as well as used in a video to promote public access in Europe.

From MTN, I moved on to working at Cable Value Network, a home shopping channel. I quickly moved through the ranks from a cameraman to a technical director. A year later, QVC bought CVN and I moved on to take a teaching position at a technical school named 'The School Of Communication Arts' in Minneapolis. For a year I taught 2 four hour classes a day covering audio and video production techniques.

Throughout my Minnesota adventures, I worked on a variety of freelance productions and engineering projects. Among other things, I designed and built audio and video production systems, both for remote and studio operations. Eventually, I ventured into the freelance field full time. In 1995 I became involved with Common World Productions, a Minneapolis based production company. Working in capacities encompassing: production manager, director, engineer and/or site supervisor. we produced live coverage to Jumbotron screens for various musical festivals including Lilith Fair, WE Fest, Rock Fest, Country Fest, Moondance Jam, Fan Jam, Edgefest and others. Artists included Styx, Fleetwood Mac, B52, Reo Speedwagon, Johnny Cash, John Denver, Verve Pipe plus over 600 other national and local acts (1994 to 2000).

Along with the hustle and bustle of music festivals, I also directed live coverage of individual concerts such as the Stevie Wonder 'Natural Wonders' tour in Birmingham, AL and Garth Brooks 3 nights in Fargo ND In 1995 I directed the Korean War Memorial Dedication Ceremony and week long celebration in Washington DC with President Clinton, President Kim of Korea and VP Al Gore for the National Archives.

In 1996, with Common World Production, we began working with Hammond Communications Group out of Lexington, KY, providing equipment, crew and technical support for the NCAA's Final Four tournament. We provided a multicamera switched international press pool feed of the team's press conferences to a distribution area as well as a satellite uplink. The first year I worked a Regional round site at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Over the next 3 years, I became more involved with the Final Four, producing several sites a year. During that time I also worked on many other projects including productions for corporate presentations and the National Catholic Youth Conferences: I produced and directed pro wrestling matches for Tempo, a national cable channel; Produced and Directed Heart 2 Heart Twin Cities, a local single's talk/variety TV show; as well as other productions both live and produced.

In the fall of 2000, I accepted a job at Hammond Communications and moved down to Lexington, KY. I was the lead producer and technical designer for United We Stand, commemorating 1 year from the 9/11 attack on America, for the United Way and the City of Lexington. I designed and arranged video elements, arranged the flow of the show as well as talent, handled all technical elements consisting of a 60' x 40' covered stage, 32' x 32' stage, all sound and lights, 18' x 24' LED screen and a 5 camera video production system. Headliner: Crystal Gayle. Simulcast on the local CBS affiliate.


I was a project manager, producer, engineer and/or director for various audio/video productions and live events at Hammond. After working there for a couple of years, I decided to venture back to freelancing. I still continue to work with Hammond on various projects including the Kentucky Derby and the NCAA Men's and Women's Final Four Tournaments where I have worked around 60 sites as the chief engineer over the past 16 years.

In 2003 I was hired as the lighting director for the Michigan Governor's inaugural address in Lansing, MI and the inaugural ball at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. I had also teamed up with Don Simandl of High Road Productions in 2003, sharing an office and working with Don on many award winning projects over the years, including a national award for the KY Blood Center, we continue to produce quality productions for clients, such as Keeneland, whom we've produced over 90 features and the Keeneland Experience DVD. You can see many of the productions in the video gallery.

Most recently I served on the 2010 World Equestrian Games Opening Ceremonies Executive Production Team as the Production Design Engineer and the Show Director.

I am skilled as an editor, as well as 3D animation and graphics, project management, directing, camera operator, audio design and recording, engineering, production design, live event management and photography.

Awards

• National AABB Award for 'Best Recruitment Video' for the KY Blood Center.
• Golden Addy Award for 'Make-A-Wish Day' for Keeneland.
• Gabbard Award for TV Excellence for 'Ho No!', a KY Blood Center PSA.
• Golden Addy Award for 'Ho No!'.
• Gabbard Award for TV Excellence for 'Spokes', a Lexington Library commercial.
• Golden Addy Award for 'Spokes', a Lexington Library commercial.
• Golden Addy Award for 'Painter', a Lexington Library commercial.
• Golden Addy Award for 'Handy Man Connection' commercial.
• Hometown Award for Excellence in Local News Production.
• ACE Award nomination for Excellence in Commercial Productions.
• Chicago Emmy Award nomination for Local Cable Sports.
• George Beller Award for Best Local Sports Production.
• George Beller Award for Best Local Variety Show (Up Late Thursdays).
• National Junior Achievement Award for Best Company.
• Regional Junior Achievement Award for Vice President of Production.

I can be reached at 859-229-1062 or email me at bob@urbanproductions.com