THE CREW
Kirt Ijams, Assignment Editor
Kirt Ijams has more than 20 years of experience in finding and developing the stories that impact people in very personal ways.
He has a keen eye for spotting great news stories. Kirt also serves as the business manager who negotiates contracts, makes travel arrangements and works directly with local TV newsrooms.
Nancy and Kirt have been married for more than 25 years and have two sons, Ben & Hal (Both have caught their parent's journalism and video production bug)
Nathan Shelton - Videographer
Nathan Shelton - Chief Photographer. Recent national clients include The Mexico Bureau, International Media, ABC, BBC, NOVA-PBS, CNN, Crew Connection and the National Geographic Channel; regional and local clients include University of Arizona, Tucson Electric Power, Arizona Game and Fish, Tucson Rodeo and several local production entities.
Nathan started his broadcast career in 1983, shooting news for the Tucson ABC affiliate, where he won a Rocky Mountain Emmy and other awards. After leaving Tucson in 1986 to work in Antarctica for many years, Nathan returned to television in 1993 as a freelancer and worked at the Tucson PBS affiliate doing field audio for ‘The Desert Speaks,’ where he won a second regional Emmy. Since then, Nathan has built a thriving freelance business as a videographer, gaffer and producer.
Nathan started his broadcast career in 1983, shooting news for the Tucson ABC affiliate, where he won a Rocky Mountain Emmy and other awards. After leaving Tucson in 1986 to work in Antarctica for many years, Nathan returned to television in 1993 as a freelancer and worked at the Tucson PBS affiliate doing field audio for ‘The Desert Speaks,’ where he won a second regional Emmy. Since then, Nathan has built a thriving freelance business as a videographer, gaffer and producer.
Steve Bayless - Master Editor
Steve Bayless - Master Editor Steve Bayless has been the senior editor at KUAT-TV, the Tucson, Arizona PBS affiliate, for the past 15 years. There he has worked on many programs including the award-winning series “The Desert Speaks: and helped it win its many accolades including a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for his efforts on the post-production sound design. His other accomplishments at the station include another Emmy for editing achievements as well as other PBS awards and recognition.
Hal Montoya-Ijams - Associate Producer/Researcher
25-year old Hal Montoya-Ijams was pretty much born with a camera in his hand. When he was just 9-years old, he produced and anchor his own school TV program called the "Bob Cat News". He is a gifted writer and adds a youth perspective to every production. He has also worked as a documentary researcher and fact-checker since he was in middle school. Hal has a bright future before him.
Below is his very first production - he was just 10 years old!
Below is his very first production - he was just 10 years old!