Welcome back to our “6 questions” series where we ask someone 6 career-centric questions about themselves.
This week we’re chatting with Nyasia Collier, Associate Producer at NBC Universal.
What’s your job title and what does a typical day look like for you?
I’m an Associate Producer at NBC Universal’s court show Judge Jerry. I always start my day having a meeting with my producing team, where we discuss the status of our upcoming show and set our daily goals. I spend the rest of my day reaching out to a potential guest, making initial calls to leads, setting up interviews, and get their story.
What is the process of pitching segment ideas to producers and senior staff?
The process of pitching segment ideas to the Executive Producers varies from show to show. You have to understand first how your EP thinks, what they like, and the type of show you’re producing. Usually, an EP will have a meeting with the Segment Producers regarding what he or she envisions for the upcoming episodes. After that, the Segment Producers relay that information to their teams. My job as an Associate Producer is to work with my Segment Producer and decide what kind of guest and creative direction best fits the EP’s vision. Usually, that means finding and interviewing potential guests and then pitching their stories. When pitching, it’s vital to stick to the meat and potatoes of the story, in the most concise way.
What is a challenge you face when booking talent?
I would say the biggest challenge in booking talent is building trust. I’ve worked on a couple of shows that we’re launching, when you’re talking to potential guests, you are mostly pitching the show to them. You want to make them feel comfortable sharing their stories with you and eventually on camera. Sometimes it’s tuff but rewarding in the end.
How and when did you know want to be involved in production/entertainment?
My internship at NBC during my senior year of college solidified my interest in working in production. I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in Public Relations and Marketing; up until my senior year, I was headed in that direction. However, after a discussion with my advisor, who informed me that another internship would be an excellent way to land a job after graduation, I decided to start applying. During an application session in my dorm room, I was watching television, and Maury Povich popped on my TV screen. He was sitting with a bunch of college students, and he said, “Hey, looking for an internship, come work at The Maury Show.” I immediately went on his website and applied, within a couple of hours, someone got back to me. I eventually interviewed for the position and got hired! After my first week, I knew I wanted to work in production. I couldn’t believe all the hard work and attention to detail that went on behind the scenes. I tried to soak in everything and wanted desperately to be a part of the TV magic. As I learned more about the producing aspect, I feel in love with the process of taking an idea or story and transforming it into production.
Hardest part of your job? Most rewarding part?
The hardest part of my job is working long hours; on average, I work 50 hours a week. That can sometimes take away from having a social life. However, the most rewarding part is seeing the finished product of a show or segment that I’ve spent so many weeks putting together. I love what I do, so it’s worth it!
Advice for someone wanting to get into the entertainment industry?
Advice that I would give someone who wants to break into the industry is to get your feet in the door! The best way to get your feet in the door is to start small; most of the entry positions will be getting coffee, building set pieces, and running errands. It’s going to seem insignificant, but it is the best way to land your next gig when people see you doing the little things, and with the right attitude, they will nine times out of ten hire you again or recommend you for another job. All of the gigs I’ve gotten in the industry have been through recommendations, so it is crucial to network and keep in contact with everyone!
My name is Nyasia Collier, I’m from the Bronx, NY, and I’ve been working in production for almost six years. When I’m not working, I’m in the kitchen cooking dinner for my family or roaming around my city.
