Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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ROB DE LEON

Playa Del Rey,CA

Summary

Results-oriented entertainment writer/producer and copy editor with over 15 years experience reporting compelling celebrity news, and crafting renowned docuseries and true crime television, as well as an experienced researcher and rights & clearance producer.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of Research

TMZ
01.2020 - Current
  • Copy edit, maintain, and fact-check stories on the website
  • Assist the News Desk with breaking news stories with accuracy and speed
  • Watch and fact-check TMZ’s 3 television shows (TMZ on TV, TMZ Live, TMZ Sports)
  • Stay up to date with breaking news of the day, and advise producers of relevant news
    happening around the world
  • Work with Writers and Producers to ensure depth and quality of storytelling for each
    post
  • Pitch story ideas and see through to publication
  • Working knowledge of SEO
  • Juggle multiple time-sensitive projects at once and be able to make strong and accurate
    judgement calls
  • Work as weekend producer/writer with small crew breaking and reporting news for TMZ.com
  • Assist Social Media department as needed

Associate Producer/Clearance

44 Blue Productions
03.2019 - 09.2019
  • Find and pitch engaging stories with little or no overlap for network
  • Send FOIA requests, and obtain all documents, photo, video and audio pertaining to cases
  • Keep up-to-date contact grid and network submission grid
  • Outreach to any possible interview subjects, as well as performing recorded pre-interviews with subjects
  • Outreach to law enforcement, lawyers, reporters, psychologists, etc
  • Obtain archival photos, videos, etc., from family and friends
  • Book/clear filming locations, both interiors and exteriors, and obtain any necessary permits
  • Work with post, to assist in making sure all releases are on file for locations, materials and appearances

Associate Producer

99 Media Group
01.2019 - 03.2019
  • Locate all archive footage and stills for coverage of 1-hour special on the Opioid Crisis in Hollywood, and America as a whole.
  • Maintain up-to-date external hard drive of all assets.
  • Schedule celebrity and expert interviews, and assist on shoot days.
  • Help create show script, and write pitches for new shows

Associate Producer

Mike Mathis Productions Inc./Discovery ID
09.2018 - 01.2019
  • Research original stories for Discovery ID show "Extreme Measures"
  • Pre-Interview and SKYPE interview families, law enforcement and legal team
  • Write pitches and outlines for network
  • Obtain all documents, photos and videos pertaining to case
  • Schedule interviews for crew

Clearance Supervisor

Bazelevs Productions
04.2017 - 03.2018
  • Responsible for obtaining and clearing video and image content for 6 feature films including "Searching" 2018, Unfollowed: Dark Web 2018, and "Profile" 2018.
  • Created and maintained Google docs of all clearance items, to be provided as deliverables upon project completion.

Producer

TMZ Sports
03.2013 - 01.2017
  • Researched, developed and pitched content that reflected the unique sensibilities of TMZ.
  • Oversaw all phases of production for TMZ Sports, from pre- to post-production.


Development Associate Producer

ITV Studios America/MTV
09.2012 - 02.2013
  • Researched and pitched new show ideas, while also working to further current pilots along in their process.
  • Conducted phone and Skype interviews with potential cast members for reality based pilots.
  • Location research, scouting, and booking for shoots across the U.S.
  • On-hand for shoot dates to coordinate all locations and paperwork.

Head of Research/Producer

TMZ ­and TMZ Live
08.2008 - 09.2012
  • Offer research, attention to detail and organizational and problem solving skills.
  • Stayed up-to-date on all current media events and celebrity news.
  • Copy Edit all news stories prior to publication.
  • Pitch story ideas for daily live show
  • Produce and book guests for daily live show

Education

Associate of Arts - Radio and Television Communications

Cal State Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
2001

Skills

  • Entertainment news writing/producing
  • Highly knowledgeable in all aspects of celebrity, movie, TV/reality and viral content
  • Senior Level copy editor with a keen eye for keeping with brand style
  • Experienced in photo/video agencies and negotiations of video and image clearance
  • Familiarity with shared Online Databases (ie Dropbox or Google Drive)
  • Pitch writing and Interviews
  • Experienced with Lexis Nexis, CMS, Pacer and many other online research tools
  • Deadline-driven and work well in fast-paced environments
  • Mac and MS Office Suite

Timeline

Head of Research

TMZ
01.2020 - Current

Associate Producer/Clearance

44 Blue Productions
03.2019 - 09.2019

Associate Producer

99 Media Group
01.2019 - 03.2019

Associate Producer

Mike Mathis Productions Inc./Discovery ID
09.2018 - 01.2019

Clearance Supervisor

Bazelevs Productions
04.2017 - 03.2018

Producer

TMZ Sports
03.2013 - 01.2017

Development Associate Producer

ITV Studios America/MTV
09.2012 - 02.2013

Head of Research/Producer

TMZ ­and TMZ Live
08.2008 - 09.2012

Associate of Arts - Radio and Television Communications

Cal State Fullerton

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