Creative ops.
Modern filmmaking.
From the cave.
Brian Ernst builds workflows, captures footage, and writes stories. 15 years of creative operations — at newsrooms, studios, and one very well-equipped den in Chicago.
The dispatch
from the field.
Grew the Chicago Sun-Times / WBEZ YouTube channel from 17,000 to 120,000 subscribers by building production systems that made great journalism easy to publish.
Three ways in.
Whether you need a map, a build, or someone to run the machine — there's an engagement for where you are.
Production Audit
A structured review of your current creative workflow: where work gets stuck, what can be automated, and a clear map for what to build next. You leave with a written report and action plan.
Book an Audit →Video System Setup
I build your creative request intake, project tracking, and content calendar infrastructure from scratch. Airtable-based, Notion-compatible, built around how your team actually works.
Start a Project →Fractional Creative Ops
Part-time creative operations director for your team. I run the workflow infrastructure, manage production timelines, and keep the machine running while you focus on the work.
Let's Talk →Take something
from the den.
Creative Ops Starter Kit
A recorded walkthrough and ready-to-use Airtable template for building a creative request system your whole team can use without anyone needing an Airtable login. Includes the intake form, status dashboard, and embed instructions.
Get the Free Kit →The Gear Room
Camera, audio, lighting, and software picks from 15 years of production. Tested on real jobs, at real budgets. No affiliate fluff — just what actually works.
Browse the Gear →Fifteen years of work
in ninety seconds.
The portfolio.
Journalism, tutorials, AI workflows, and creative ops — all of it built the same way: with a clear system and a tight edit.
WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times Visual Journalism
Led the visuals desk of the largest nonprofit newsroom in the country. Built the systems, managed the team, grew the YouTube channel from 17,000 to 120,000 subscribers.
Creative Ops Starter Kit
A 30-minute screen-share walkthrough showing how to build an Airtable creative request system across multiple teams without anyone needing an Airtable account.
AI Workflow Deep Dive
How to build an AI-assisted content pipeline that turns one recording session into a week of content. Built live, no fluff.
The Gear Room
Camera, audio, and production gear tested in the field. Real recommendations from a working filmmaker who has run production on a newsroom budget.
Recent
Work.
Kick up your feet and have a look.
Elevating Brands with Captivating Visuals
From newsrooms to studios, I've worn many hats, but one thing remains constant: my unwavering passion for content creation and storytelling.
And because I entered this world a computer nerd, I have the camera tech, IT, and workflow knowledge to back up ideas that inform, educate and entertain.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHY
It all begins with an idea.
At the Chicago Sun-Times I oversee visual operations for photo and video needs including a staff of the best photojournalists around.
Make it stand out.
But outside of news I’ve been telling stories about people for brands of all shapes and sizes.
GrowING audiences.
The way you tell your story can make all the difference. By understanding SEO, trends, and best practices on video platforms, I’ve been able to drive results for the clients that seek to inform their audiences the most.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Awards & Recognitions
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Best Use of News Video 2023
Best Breaking News Story
“Customers turned away as recreational weed sales wrap up historic first day in Illinois.” Tom Schuba, Rachel Hinton, Ashlee Rezin Garcia, Jake Wittich, Brian Ernst and Brian Rich | Breaking news, recognized for “Customers turned away as recreational weed sales wrap up historic first day in Illinois.”
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'Lost and found: rescuing the Sun-Times' photo archive
Sun-Times journalists were recognized with 22 first-place awards in the Iliinois Press Association’s editorial excellence contest for work published in 2020 — as well as an award in the IPA’s advertising contest for the best newspaper promotion for “Lost and found: rescuing the Sun-Times' photo archive,” a video report by Brian Ernst, Ashlee Rezin Garcia and Brian Rich.
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“B.Z.P.D. - Pilot” Quarterfinalist ScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition 2022
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Best Performances “Well Done” - Chicago FEEDBACK Film Festival 2020
Official Selection “Second Contact” London International Short Film Festival 2017
“Evil Eyes” - The Last Vegas Named #6 on Classic Rock Magazine's Top Music Videos of 2012
SCREENWRITING
B.Z.P.D. - Pilot
Several years after a public embarrassment, a decorated city cop pivots from her dream job to serve and protect alongside a team of complacent, in-over-their-head officers in the bizarre field of zoological law enforcement.
HAPPY SIDE UP - PILOT
On Chicago's west side, a group of underachieving roommates attempt to course correct their uncertain futures under the watchful eye of their unstable new landlord.
SOMETHING LEFT - FEATURE
An unfortunate series of life events causes high school sweethearts to breakup en route moving to the Wisconsin beach town where they met. With no jobs, no stability and no direction, the two must co-exist in small town life where nothing remains a secret.
IN MY OWN WORDS.
To the persons that take the time to look this over, I appreciate you.
I'm a video professional by trade that has spent the majority of my days in journalism and corporate creative. I've spent the first half of my career hauling camera and grip gear, loading trucks, and directing client work, but have now pivoted to the managerial side while still remaining hands-on as a shooter and editor.
I am currently the Director of Digital Operations for the Chicago Sun-Times where I oversee the photo, video, and podcast creative teams of the newsroom. Being around journalists for as long as I have and witnessing what they can produce on such tight deadlines has been a truly unexpected experience.
Although I started as a boots-on-the-ground videographer right out of school, I quickly realized I had a lot of catching up to do in the writing department. I went through the writing program at iO Theater Chicago over the course of a few years that really got me to focus on my voice. I may not have been the funniest, but I definitely worked the hardest, always trying to overdeliver whenever scripts were due.
Since then I have written several pilots and a few features to try and get the bad ones out. I feel like my craft has improved and I'm serious about making a profession out of the thing that makes me happiest...having have written (we all know how awful the actual writing process is.)
My ultimate goal is to write serialized comedy that can get dark, but ultimately has heart. I hope this brief intro encourages you to reach out.
Thanks for taking the time,
Brian Ernst