About

Military veteran Tanner Iskra is a video producer and content creator from Virginia. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Iskra joined the Marine Corps as a personnel administrator. He was subsequently deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as an intelligence analyst before serving as a Marine Corps combat videographer.

The veteran now specializes in cinematography and strategic marketing. Passionate about supporting good causes, he donates to multitudinous charities via the Combined Federal Campaign. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, history, poker, professional wrestling, and traveling with his wife.

Current Role & Duties

Production & Content Creation

Cinematographer Iskra currently works in production. An experienced feature producer, he boasts proven leadership skills developed during his long professional career. His expertise includes production, post-production, and strategic social media marketing.

Iskra produces, directs, and edits documentaries, news packages, short films, trailers, and public service announcements. He also serves as a colorist and editor on projects ranging from music videos to showreels and testimonials. The Washington State native is further experienced in aerial video capture.

Career History

Freelance Producer & Editor

Following his time as a Marine Corps videographer, Iskra worked as a freelance producer. He created digital broadcast teasers, video features, and more for a range of clients.

The military veteran and cinematographer has also worked as a freelance post-production editor. In his capacity as a post-production editor, Iskra combined his years of archival, field, and studio experience. During this time, he was further responsible for color and graphics correction for clients' features, shows, and corporate productions.

Marine Corps Videography

For over a decade, Iskra served as a Marine Corps combat videographer and cinematographer. From July 2003 until January 2015, he produced, directed, and edited many of the force's award-winning media products. Positions he held include executive director, producer, production manager, and post-production supervisor.

During this time, he was responsible for a team of thirty fellow videographers, graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers. His other responsibilities included:

• Achieving multinational worldviews in released products

• Defining mission-specific marketing strategies

• Legal department collaboration

• Localizing content across languages and cultures

• Preventative maintenance procedures

• Production schedule initiation

• Programming and production support

While working as a combat videographer, he also performed as a photojournalist. As a photojournalist, he was tasked with documenting high-profile events, humanitarian efforts, and a variety of other international affairs.

Academic History

Tanner Iskra grew up in the Washington State city of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County. It was here in Grays Harbor County that he attended high school.

The military veteran and cinematographer is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. The school is named in honor of veteran broadcaster Walter Cronkite. It's from the Cronkite School at Arizona State University that Iskra holds his bachelor's degree.

He has also studied at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. It was at Syracuse University's communications and journalism school that he completed his certification in military motion media. Commonly known as Newhouse School, the institution is renowned for its broadcast journalism programs.

Iskra is further certified in video production and documentation, visual information management, and intermediate videography by the Defense Information School. The Defense Information School fulfills the Department of Defense's internal requirement for professionally trained broadcasters and journalists.

Professional Experience & Skills

Iskra is renowned as a mission-driven videographer. His peers celebrate him for his creativity and his ability to engage clients. Also widely recognized are his concept development, leadership, and scriptwriting skills. Among his other talents are digital marketing and monitoring success metrics, particularly surrounding the impact of social media presence.

Elsewhere, he has mentored and granted leadership guidance to junior content creators. That's in addition to providing advanced multimedia training to fellow professionals. He is further well-versed in equipment and software life cycles and making the necessary replacement and procurement arrangements. Just some of Iskra's core competencies are:

• Adobe After Effects

• Adobe Photoshop

• Adobe Premiere

• Archival management

• Final Cut Pro

• Media composition

• Personnel and project management

• Production leadership

• Social media oversight

• Video codecs

• Video compression

Awards

Ava International Video Competition

Military Video of the Year - Platinum Award

Military Videographer of the Year Awards Program

Editing Category - First Place

Association of Higher Education Campus Television Administrators

Best Original Short Film

Defense Information School Awards

Best Final Documentary

Charitable Involvement

Tanner Iskra is closely involved with several charities, nonprofit organizations, and other good causes. Each month, he donates to the Combined Federal Campaign. The campaign promotes and supports effective philanthropy. It benefits eligible nonprofit organizations across the United States and worldwide.

Just some of the many nonprofit organizations and other good causes backed by the Combined Federal Campaign include:

• Amnesty International

• Breast Cancer Coalition

• Canine Partners for Life

• Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

• Feeding America

• Human Rights Campaign Foundation

• Humane Society International

• Junior Achievement USA

• Make-A-Wish Foundation

• Meals On Wheels America

• Melanoma Research Alliance

• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

• National Association of the Deaf

• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

• Ronald McDonald House Charities

• The Humane Society of the United States

• Urology Care Foundation

Moreover, Iskra regularly volunteered as a mentor and board member for various initiatives. He is a former mentor at Veterati. Focused on economic empowerment, he assisted in mentoring former service members transitioning into civilian workforces.

He is also a former board member at SocialGov. As a SocialGov board member, the Virginia-based content creator advised on a range of topics, including the best digital and social media practices for federal government agencies.

Personal Interests

Outside of his professional work and charitable endeavors, Tanner Iskra enjoys many hobbies and interests. These hobbies and interests include documentary films, gaming, hiking, history, mental health awareness, nature, poker, professional wrestling, and traveling.

Happily married, he and his wife both enjoy traveling. They are so poised to learn about new places and cultures. It also serves as an opportunity for the pair to embrace their shared love of history and nature. Tanner is a keen proponent of the healing benefits of spending time in the great outdoors.