My Job: Chaeli Cantwell, Video Producer

Chaeli Cantwell is a producer in the Multimedia Group.

Tell us about your background.

I grew up in Westminster, a suburban town in central northern Maryland, about 45 minutes from Baltimore City. I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature and then earned another bachelor’s in electronic media and film production from Towson University. During college, I completed two internships at National Geographic, which jump-started my interest in video editing. I began my career at Maryland Public Television, then worked as a video editor in news at WUSA9, a CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C. I later shifted to branded content, joining AARP Studios as an associate producer. I also did freelance work during that time, mostly in the corporate space. When the opportunity to work at the Library of Congress came along, it felt like the perfect fit — blending creativity, video production and my interests in the arts and history.

What does your work involve?

I’m a video producer in the Multimedia Group, where I support live events and produce and edit content that highlights the Library’s vast collections. Prominent examples include the collection of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Leonard Bernstein Papers. I’ve also worked on videos that are associated with timely events in the news, tributes and celebrations of historical milestones and anniversaries, such as the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Along with the four other producers and crew in MMG, I support divisions with video projects by overseeing the full production cycle — from initial ideation and planning to logistics, production, post-production and final delivery. MMG staff members work together from concept to completion on all of these projects, so it’s a very collaborative process — and just so fun to work with such a talented team. From a young age, I’ve always loved history, the arts, film and music, so I feel lucky to create video content that combines so many personal interests. It’s rare in video production to find a role that touches on all of these areas, often at once, so it’s no exaggeration to say this has truly been a dream job.

What are some of your standout projects?

I had the opportunity to produce and edit the latest National Film Registry and National Recording Registry announcement sizzles — short highlight videos. These are team efforts, and the process is always fascinating, especially collaborating with colleagues in MMG, the Office of Communications, the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center and the National Recording Preservation Board. It’s incredible to watch the project take shape and, by the end, feature compelling interviews with iconic musicians, songwriters, actors and filmmakers. Another favorite project from last year involved working with Jennifer “JJ” Harbster of the Science and Business Reading Room and Joshua Levy of the Manuscript Division on two videos about expedition groups that traveled across the world to study solar eclipses in the mid- to late 1800s. We took a close look at what diaries from the expeditions revealed about the journeys and what the expedition teams packed for their travels. In one video, we examined a small leather pocket diary from 1860, owned by renowned astronomer Simon Newcomb, in which he chronicled his five-week, arduous journey through the Canadian wilderness, all to view a solar eclipse. The small team endured a harrowing trek, traveling in birch canoes across large bodies of water and rivers — only to miss the eclipse. That was a fascinating project, and it was remarkable to hear from both Joshua and JJ about all of the solar-eclipse-related items at the Library that reveal powerful stories. When we interview staff members, we get to hear from experts who can detail remarkable moments in history on an exceptionally deep level; it feels like a master class in overlooked niche areas.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I am not athletic in the slightest, and I dread being cold — but, surprisingly, I enjoy skiing. If you’re thinking about trying it, let me encourage you: If I can do it, you definitely can, too!

What is something your coworkers may not know about you?

I am a very open book, so I think they might know everything about me. Maybe they should know I am a terrible baker, so that last cake I brought in was not a fluke or caused by a faulty oven. I am simply a bad baker despite my continued efforts.

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