REFERENCES
México City |
To Whom it May Concern:
Jorge Melchor is a skilled multi-media journalist who immerses himself in his work. He has considerable experience working in television as a producer, fixer and cameraman but I’m a newspaper journalist and Jorge was a great help to me as well. He played a major role in an article and Web project that The New York Times prepared last year in Mexico City. It was a sensitive subject matter: how many Mexican men have an unconventional sense of sexual identity than makes fighting AIDS a challenge. Jorge helped me track down men willing to be interviewed, which was no small feat. And he interviewed them, filmed them and helped produce a video project for the Web that attracted significant viewership and acclaim. I highly recommend Jorge to any journalist or news organization. Marc Lacey Mexico Bureau Chief The New York Times "In September 2008 I worked with Jorge on three stories in Mexico for The Times of London. He acted as driver, translator, researcher, and all-round 'fixer'. I can't say enough good things about Jorge: he was 110% reliable, dedicated to getting the best story and pictures possible (no matter how long it took), he had great ideas, and perhaps most important of all he was great fun to work with. I recommend him to any news organisation." Chris Ayres chris.ayres@mac.com, The Times of London Jorge Melchor worked for the Sunday Times of London prior to the Mexican elections of July 2006. He set up interviews for our visiting correspondent, Tony Allen-Mills, and provided excellent support for a week of reporting. He is very well connected and knowledgeable about Mexican politics and society. He speaks good English and was exceptionally helpful. I recommend him without hesitation.Tony Allen-Mills New York correspondent Sunday Times of London Office: 973-701-9220 Cell: 202-251-8801 Fax: 973-701-9894 Fox News Jorge was outstanding on our shoot and completely took care of us while we were in Mexico. He will be my first call the next time we head south of the border. Dan Cohenn Senior Coordinating Producer, Fox News Channel New York, NY 10036 Australian Dateline SBS TV. He had fantastic contacts and was very good at translating. Through him, I was able to interview Obrador´s campaign manager and even Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador himself. I would recommend him for any work. Reporter: Sophie McNeill. I have known Jorge for more than six years, and during that time I have had the opportunity of acting as his supervisor during certain news events related to The Associated Press in which Jorge has always demonstrated a huge sense of responsibility, dedication and initiative. Eloy Aguilar Director of México America central-Panama. Jorge Melchor is a world-class fixer. Recently, we traveled to Mexico to shoot a Special for the Discovery Channel. Jorge handled all the arrangements for the locations, permits,transportation, experts, translations, meals and more. Every aspect of the shoot went like clockwork. Not only was his advance work impeccable, but Jorge was also skilled at making adjustments for those inevitable on-the-fly brainstorms;. Jorge's good humor and friendly personality helped make the shoot fun and successful even during the most stressful moments. He was always able to find the great location or best restaurant and even lead us to some terrificlocal music clubs for our wrap party! I am looking forward to working with Jorge again soon and I highly recommend him for any shoot. You won't be disappointed. Rob Kirk, Executive Producer, Digital Ranch Productions, Los Angeles, California. 818-817-9690 Greetings Sr. Jorge Melchor The Detroit Free Press sent me and photographer Romain Blanquart to Mexico City in early 2007 on a challenging assignment: Trace an outbreak of a deadly synthetic narcotic called fentanyl to its source. Authorities in the U.S. and Mexico had tagged a small laboratory in Lerma as the site of much, if not all, of the fentanyl that killed hundreds of Americans from fall 2005 through 2006. With Jorge’s skills, we were able to locate the laboratory, conduct interviews and take photos. We even got an interview with the man charged criminally with creating the drug in this makeshift lab. These were no small feats, and Jorge’s communication skills and experience as a journalist helped us tremendously. Aside from smoothly negotiating Mexico City traffic, Jorge kept Mexican police at bay when they contemplated barring us from doing our jobs. He also translated capably for us. He was able to put us in touch with many people, from regular Joe’s on the street to officials in government buildings, including contact with Mexico’s federal prosecutor’s office. We spent about five days in Mexico, and Jorge was with us during virtually all waking hours. We couldn’t get rid of the guy. I’d definitely use him again. – Jim Schaefer, staff writer, Detroit Free Press, 313-223-4542, jschaefer@freepress.com Jorge Melchor was an invaluable asset to me and photographer Andre Chung in completing a four-day assignment in Mexico for our paper, The Baltimore Sun. Beyond translation, Jorge’s own good nature, humor and ease with just about everyone contributed to our ability to make a personal connection with the Mexican workers in our story. They were open and unguarded, inviting us into their homes. Jorge was thoroughly professional and his own background in journalism contributes to his understanding of the needs of the story. I would not hesitate to use Jorge again and I hope to work another story with him. He’s a friend and colleague I would recommend to any journalist who needs help from an experienced hand in Latin America. Chris Guy, chris.guy@baltsun.com, 410-770-8996. On assignment for The Baltimore Sun in San Luis Potosi, we had a short period of time to make contacts, get our story, and get back to Baltimore. Jorge had already been doing his homework. Through his network, he was able to get an address for the (main contact), and a good phone number. He guided us on local custom, making sure that we didn’t offend anyone, but always followed our direction when we insisted. In the end he was instrumental in getting us our story.I have worked in several countries overseas, among them Cuba, Jamaica, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa, and have always worked with local guides. Jorge’s professionalism and resources easily make him among the best. I recommend him highly. Sincerely, André Chung. I worked with Jorge on an assignment for The Travel Channel and he was very efficient in organizing a very tight shooting schedule. He was able to get me access with certain subjects and institutions that would have otherwise been inaccessible. In addition to being very resourceful and professional at his job, he is also a charming personality, a trait that is key for any producing/fixing jobs. He knows the area like the back of his hand and is comfortable engaging different people from street vendors to VIPs. Jorge is on the top on my list for people to call when in need of someone organized and well versed in the dealings in and around Mexico City. -Marvi Lacar, Photographer
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