Neal Bennett – Filmmaker | Educator | Media Professional
With over 25 years in the film, television, and video production industry, Neal Bennett is both a seasoned media professional and a dedicated educator. He continues to freelance for top production companies while developing innovative media solutions for clients. His dual role as a practitioner and instructor keeps him at the forefront of emerging technology, workflows, and industry trends, ensuring his students receive a cutting-edge education rooted in real-world experience.

Career & Industry Experience
Bennett launched his career in the mid-90s as a television writer and producer for WPHL 17 in Philadelphia, while also freelancing as a camera operator for Comcast’s News Makers with Lynn Doyle and Sports Talk with Bruce Beck. Within a year of graduating college, he secured a full-time role at Cablevision as a producer and editor, working on community programming and sports coverage.

His career later expanded into reality television, traveling with TLC’s Trading Spaces as a locations coordinator/unit manager before shifting his focus to entrepreneurship and education.

Bridging Industry & Education
In 2003, Bennett founded his own production company and began teaching digital filmmaking, animation, and editing at Communications High School in Wall Township, NJ—one of Monmouth County’s elite career academies. His courses in studio television production, digital media, and 3D animation helped students achieve Telly Award-winning productions, including Local’s Only, which aired on FOX’s Fuel Channel.

Recognizing the need for early career development, he later founded Industry Media Arts, an after-school and summer filmmaking academy designed to help high school students build college admission portfolios. In 2015, he sold the company and partnered with the Rutgers Extension Division, developing new filmmaking and certification programs for their Digital Filmmaking Academy.
 

Currently, Bennett serves as an Instructor of Professional Practice in the Journalism and Media Studies department at Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information, while also teaching online video editing at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Notable Production Work

• Bennett has contributed to a diverse array of broadcast and digital productions, including:

• ESPN – World Series of Poker

• MLB Network – ALDS, Third Team Documentary

• NFL Films, NHL Productions, HBO Real Sports, Discovery Channel

• YES Network – Yankees on Deck

• WEtv – Bridezillas

Additionally, he co-produced and edited Dream Camp TV, collaborating with Executive Producer Joe Patane (Real World on MTV), featuring high-profile talents such as:

• Drew Carey (The Price is Right)

• James Cameron & Vince Pace (Avatar, Transformers)

• The Miz (WWE)

• Jeff Marx (Avenue Q)

• Erin Gruwell (The Freedom Writers Diary)

• Pauley Perrette (NCIS)

Blending Creativity, Innovation, and Education
Bennett remains committed to advancing media education, mentoring aspiring filmmakers, and contributing to groundbreaking productions. His work exemplifies a balance between storytelling, technology, and hands-on experience, ensuring that both his clients and students benefit from his extensive industry knowledge.

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Neal Bennett teaches the following courses at Rutgers University:

 

Journalism & Media Studies Undergraduate Courses
Digital Media Production

Media Field Production

Non-Scripted Television
Studio Production
Video Editing

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Communication and Media Graduate Courses

Digital Media Production

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Rutgers Online

Introduction to Video Editing