Dannia, Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group: Advize Career Interview
A career in television production, as exemplified by Dannia, a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group, offers a dynamic path from entry-level roles to creative contributions on major shows like "Wicked Tuna." The journey begins with building connections and seizing opportunities, leading to roles such as production assistant or assistant, which provide a stepping stone to more specialized positions.
Dannia's work involves meticulous organization and a keen eye for compelling storytelling, demanding a balance of creative instinct and realistic limitations.
The daily work includes reviewing extensive footage, identifying key moments, and contributing to the show's narrative.
A successful professional in this field possesses strong organizational skills, a "gut instinct" for story, and a capacity for emotional detachment.
Despite challenges like managing demanding requests and negotiating fair compensation, the rewards include witnessing the final product, collaborating on a large team, and experiencing the fulfillment of creative input.
This career path offers exciting opportunities for those who are organized, creative, and willing to advocate for themselves.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Dannia Alfonso
Story Associate Producer
Pilgrim Media Group
NYU - Tisch School of the Arts
UCLA Anderson - MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia's career path, beginning with a film library work-study job at NYU and a BBC internship, unexpectedly led to a first job in LA through a "friend of a friend" connection after "talking to everyone" about opportunities. Now a Story Associate Producer on "Wicked Tuna" and its spin-off, Dannia's current role involves reviewing and categorizing footage from the season's filming to select material for episodes.
Main Responsibilities of a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia's role as Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group involves meticulously reviewing "thousands upon thousands of hours of footage" from multiple camera angles to identify story moments, carefully cataloging and labeling this material for easy access by editors and producers, and even contributing to interview questions based on the footage. This requires a deep understanding of the show's narrative and a knack for manipulating audio and video to create compelling storytelling while adhering to the limitations of existing content— "I can't make stuff up."
A Day in the Life of a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group
A Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group spends their day in post-production reviewing up to 18 hours of daily footage from a fishing show, meticulously marking key moments like "good dialogue" and crucial "fish fights," often lasting hours. This involves condensing lengthy sequences into concise, story-relevant segments ("I make it look good"), balancing current episode needs with future episode planning, and occasionally engaging in extensive searches for specific shots requested by editors.
Most Important Skills for a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia, a Story Associate Producer, emphasizes organization as "probably number one" for success, highlighting the need for interconnected teamwork. Equally crucial is a strong "gut instinct" for identifying interesting story elements, combined with realistic awareness of industry limitations and a willingness to trust creative impulses, as Dannia advises to "go with it" when a good idea emerges.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Story Associate Producer At Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia, a Story Associate Producer, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role is "seeing everything come together in the end," particularly the premiere of a new season after months of work, highlighting the collaborative nature of a "huge production with a crap ton of people." The humor found in unaired footage also adds to the enjoyment of the job.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Story Associate Producer At Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia's biggest challenge as a Story Associate Producer is balancing the need to fulfill producers' requests for specific footage with the reality that "if it doesn't exist in the footage, you can't." This sometimes creates a frustrating dynamic, particularly under time pressure or with new network executives, where the request isn't necessarily a reflection on their abilities but rather a symptom of broader project pressures and interpersonal relationships.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Entertainment As A Story Associate Producer
Dannia, a Story Associate Producer, thrives on the collaborative nature of the entertainment industry, finding fulfillment in "working with other people" and seeing their ideas positively impact projects. The ability to offer suggestions, like "tweak[ing] this a little bit," and witness the resulting positive reactions is a key source of professional satisfaction for Dannia.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Entertainment Industry, According to a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia, a Story Associate Producer, reveals that success in entertainment hinges not on "networking," a term Dannia finds off-putting, but on genuinely maintaining connections; Dannia emphasizes the importance of "following up on your connections and keeping them alive," transforming transactional interactions into meaningful relationships.
What a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Media Production Industry
Dannia, a Story Associate Producer, learned the importance of emotional detachment from projects, realizing that "it's not my baby," and that prioritizing mental health requires knowing "when to let go" even while maintaining high work standards. This involves learning to "kill the baby"—accepting that sometimes, despite best efforts, external factors dictate a project's outcome, regardless of individual contributions.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Story Associate Producers at Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia, a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group, recommends that undergraduate students seeking entry-level positions consider becoming a production assistant (PA) or an assistant, emphasizing that "networking skill[s]" are extremely valuable. Their own career progression began as an assistant, showcasing how such roles can lead to more creative positions like Dannia's current role after demonstrating interest and initiative.
Key Career Lesson From a Story Associate Producer at Pilgrim Media Group
Dannia, a Story Associate Producer, emphasizes the crucial lesson of self-advocacy in negotiating rates, stating that "they're always gonna lowball you." This is especially important for entry-level positions like PAs, who often face demanding work and should "ask for the most" to ensure fair compensation for "freaking hard work."
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