Paul James is a native New Yorker. Born and raised in Hauppauge, NY, Paul is a true Long Islander. As a child, James spent his summers out on the waters of the Great South Bay and at Fire Island enjoying the beach and the sun. He also developed a passion for sports. Hours after school and summer vacations were spent playing street hockey with his brother and baseball games with the neighborhood gang in his grandmother's backyard.
One of James' first memories of professional sport was the Rangers Stanley Cup victory in 1994. At seven years old, he could name every single backup goalie in the NHL. However, it was not until 1997 when James first started following the sport he is most passionate about, the NFL. He was captivated by the New York Giants playoff run (the Danny Kannel lead Giants) and subsequently heartbroken when they lost their first round playoff game to the Minnesota Vikings (he still can't forgive Chris Calloway for fumbling the on-side kick). This heartbreak spurred a love for football. Since then James has spent his sundays from September-February immersed in game action.
Through his early teen years Paul James participated in organized sports such as travel soccer and community league football and baseball. At age 14 he gave up his life on the field for a life in front of the camera. He enrolled in a television production course offered at his high school and immediately got hooked into the world of sports media. James spent much of his high school career shooting and editing news packages about events in the local community. One of the highlights of his high school broadcasting career was having the opportunity to interview wide receiver Justin McCareins of the New York Jets, who visited his school in conjunction with an NFL youth program.
In the fall of 2006 Paul James attended Hofstra University as a prospective broadcast journalism major. After a year of journalism courses he switched his concentration to working behind the scenes and enrolled in the school's television/video production program. Over the next three years James would work on several studio productions in the Dempster school of communications as a director, producer, tech manager and floor manager. He also hosted and produced a weekly 80's music show on the campus radio station, WRHU. James graduated from the university Magna Cum Laude in December of 2009.
Upon graduating, James was offered a job as a studio technician at a local television station, News 12 Long Island. After two weeks of work, James was trained as a studio director and directed his first live newscast at the age of 21. Since then he has worked as a Director and Technical Director on both live studio and remote productions for News 12 The Bronx/Brooklyn and MSG Varsity. Currently, James is the Associate Video Manger for CBS Local Studio's in New York City. His responsibilities include coordinating, lighting, and shooting interviews with some of the biggest names in music, sports, and news.
Paul James has always valued education and grew up in a household with a mother who has been working in education for over 30 years. It was always a goal of his to pursue a masters degree in his field. In 2012 he enrolled in the master of science program for Interactive Media through Quinnipiac University Online. James is hoping to combine his production skills with the new emerging technologies of interactive media.
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