In 2003, Thomas commenced freelancing and served as an intern for GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting) "LAWMAKERS" show. During his time at GPB, he provided assistance with production and large live events such as the annual "Georgia Music Hall of Fame." Subsequently, at WSB-TV Channel 2, Thomas was involved in freelance work on major remote productions, including their annual "SALUTE 2 AMERICA PARADE" as a camera operator and assistant.
Prior to joining CNN fulltime, Thomas held a role as a satellite logger in the Satellites & Circuits department, where he managed incoming and outgoing satellite feeds through dedicated fibers, both international and domestic. Following this, Thomas assumed the Digital Conversion Operations (DCO) position, working with various media platforms archived in the CNN library such as tapes and one-inch reels. He was responsible for digitizing or ingesting videos into the SONY Pedisite server to ensure archival accessibility via the MIRA Web site. Thomas closely monitored all materials for quality control during the digital conversion process, emphasizing the importance of attention to detail.
During his tenure at CNN, Thomas dedicated most of his six years to studio work. His role included being part of the launch of Headline News' primetime program, Prime News, now Prime News with Erica Hill and Nancy Grace. Thomas worked across CNN Headline News, CNN Domestic, and CNN International, primarily undertaking floor directing, script distribution, and teleprompting. Additionally, he received training in CNN's post-production department, working with video network editors and top audio designers.
At NBC 5, Thomas' duties involved going out and shooting stories for live programming, as well as operating Dejero mobile streaming backpacks for live on-location shots and breaking news. Furthermore, he was responsible for editing packages in a non-linear format on location, including voice-overs, VO/SOTs, packages, and pre-produced teases for newscasts.
Thomas resides in Fort Worth, TX, and spends a significant portion of his professional time in Atlanta. He values spending time with his mother, Belinda, and when not working, can often be found around live trucks, satellite trucks, or TV production trucks.
Thomas D Bradley is a photojournalist or cameraman to some, currently working in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Thomas has years of experience in the television industry. He has worked for Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), CNN, WTVM News Leader 9/ FOX 54, FOX30 WFOX/ WJAX CBS47 Action News, WRAL-TV, WPBF-TV 25, WAGA-TV Fox 5 News, NBC 5 DFW and freelanced for WSB-TV Channel 2, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Georgia Dome Productions.
Thomas started in television when he entered high school. That's when he met the man who is now longtime mentor, Phil Proctor, at the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996. Phil took him under his wing, and ever since, the "TV Bug" has bitten Thomas. In high school, Thomas took telecommunications with a concentration in television production where he produced, directed, and ran studio camera for campus newscasts. Later, Thomas started his apprenticeship with Phil at Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW). At WCW, he sat and observed on-line edit sessions and helped with any post-production needs. Later, after graduation from Benjamin E. Mays High School, he accepted a paid internship at CNN Atlanta in 2000. During his internship, his responsibility was to archive, reshelf tapes, one-inch reels, and Beta. In addition to working at the CNN library, Thomas worked closely with CNN Image Source, a CNN operation that takes the production houses and clients requests for archive footage. Thomas would dub the clips onto tapes and then the tapes would be shipped. After Thomas's summer internship ended, he packed up his things and headed to Mendota Heights, Minnesota to attend Brown College. At Brown College, he studied theory in television and had an opportunity to learn all the positions behind the camera. This experience provided substantial hands-on training in a multi-camera studio, in addition to shoots that were done on location. During college, he earned a 4.0 and was awarded the Dean's List certificate for the spring quarter in 2001. Thomas graduated from Brown College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
