Ari Weiss

Ari Weiss, BFA

Education

  • 2013 Certified Professional Coach, Center for Contextual Coaching
  • 2011 Trained Enneagram Teacher, The Enneagram Institute
  • 2002 – 2006 BFA in Film and Television with Honors, New York University
  • 2004 and 2005 studied language and cinema in Paris, France

Professional experience

2008 – present     Upbuild     co-founder, coach, consultant

  • conceptualized the format and structure for personal development education in the context of the work environment, and co-created 180 hours of content to provide a transformational experience for individuals
  • crafted film, music, philosophy, literature, and television dimension of all Upbuild presentations
  • designed interactive educational exercises based on film, acting, and improv principles to heighten and retain emotional learning and behavioral shifts
  • presented workshops with follow-up organizational development services for Etsy, Novartis, L’Oreal, CARE, The Energy Project, General Assembly, Charlton Memorial Hospital, and many more corporate partners
  • co-created an intrinsic diagnostic model to measure organizational and team health that has been incorporated into L’Oreal’s ongoing personal development program
  • co-created a coaching model focused on building resilience and working through the “shadow side” of corporate leadership; currently this model is being utilized by 6 start up CEOs
  • created an operating plan for management of all programming as well as day to day strategic and tactical execution
  • headed up communications and social media, and staffed and trained individuals to produce weekly content that served to build an online community of hundreds interested in follow-up personal development
  • developed and managed the Upbuild brand, official website, and featured blog: Beyond The BanalTM

2007

Worked closely with feature film director Annie Sundberg (Break Thru Films) and coordinated the theatrical release of Sundance feature films, The Devil Came On Horseback and The Trials of Darryl Hunt

2007

Wrote narrative content for high-profile photographer, Paul Aresu’s website (PaulAresu.com) and devised strategies for marketing Aresu’s work to corporate clientele

2006 – 2008

Developed surveys for IAG Research (now Nielsen) to evaluate the effectiveness of product placement within television programs that were distributed to Nielsen’s biggest TV network clients, including companies like Ford, Coca Cola, and Apple

2004 – 2005

Served as informational liaison between audience and organizers for then up and coming Tribeca Film Festival

2002 – 2006    

Wrote, directed, and produced short films and wrote feature-length screenplays

2002 – 2006     film production, writing, direction, acting and improv

  • writer/director/editor: “Delusions Of Poetry” (short film starring male lead, Alex Brickel, of theatrically released Todd Solondz feature film, Palindromes)
  • production coordinator: “Umney’s Last Case”, endorsed by Stephen King
  • writer/director/starring role in: “The Toothbrush” (thesis film sponsored by NYU for winners of the narrative film competition)
  • assistant director: “Brannigan’s Angels” 16mm Revolutionary War short film
  • writer/star: “Nixon Richardson” theatre production at Stars Of Tomorrow Theatre Company
  • innovated and presented improv comedy experiences for hundreds of museum-goers to creatively learn the history of space aviation at the Cradle of Aviation Museum
  • writer of over 100 short stories, screenplays, essays, and critical reviews