Samantha Coolman

Live Events:

• Prepare and execute medium to large scale AV production for live events that include multiple speakers, original graphic design, and 500 - 2,000 attendees.
• Act as point of contact for all technical vendors on-location for live events in consultation with Technical Director or Vendors’ Project Manager
• Act as liaison between technical vendors and client to ensure all client needs are met
• Act as show-caller for live events, calling audio, lighting, video, and stage cues.

Virtual Events:

• Prepare and execute large-scale virtual events with pre-recorded and live elements and original broadcast graphics. Large scale = 1000s of attendees and dozens of speakers and guests.
• Act as main point of contact for clients and manage deliverables and timelines
• Participate in trainings to understand virtual platforms and virtual event process, SFG templates and tools, recording platform, and more
• Manage scheduling for pre-recording presentations with individual speakers
• Cultivate in-depth understanding of virtual platforms and develop run of show for each event

General:

• Create organizational tools for each event
• Maintain project costs through monitoring of expenditures
• Communicate with all collaborators to ensure sync, timeline adherence, and delegate responsibilities
• Prepare budgets, manage third party vendors, and keep project on time and at cost
• Organize and oversee support team internal to SFG and/or external freelancers. Delegate responsibilities to this team in order to execute project goals.

• Stepped back from part-time to contract in August 2022 to focus on producing
• Working alongside news producers and others to create, code, and direct dynamic, fast-paced, top-rated newscasts and programming
• Using Ross Overdrive System with Vizrt graphics interfaced in ENPS news, all-digital production environment
• Recording and publishing content to WITN’s digital platforms
• Ability to monitor on-air signals, ingest daily programming and commercials, and operate Master Control automation system, when needed
• Responsible for regular care and maintenance of equipment and studio, including lighting, cameras, and sets
• Occasional operation of studio teleprompter, floor directing, and various other duties as assigned
• Working remote and in-station when needed during COVID

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIT./EDITOR | June 2019 - May 2020

• Develop community reputation through commitment to customer satisfaction and strong client relationships
• Plan, schedule and delegate daily work to team of employees, taking into consideration all factors such as: weather, travel and time
• Boosted efficiency by leading coordination of new projects, working from inception to completion; creating RFP's and RFQ's
• Responsible for day-to-day execution of requested services and tracking deliverables
• Determine maintenance requirements and schedule repairs
• Evaluate employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
• Attend shoots on as needed basis as producer
• Create Property Measurements & Floor Plans using various tools
• Sending, organizing & archiving projects
• Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/A&R, deposits and record-keeping.
• Maintained payroll information by calculating, collecting and entering data
• Demonstrate respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER | October 2017 - July 2021

TECHNICAL VENUE MANAGER | September 2015 - October 2017

• Attend site visits of 7+ venues
• Coordinate and communicate with 9+ shows internationally to ensure each producers vision is properly executed on-site and expectations are set
• Determine production needs for each venue: lighting, sound, staging, scenery, props, projections
• Manage and evaluate existing plans and processes to identify opportunities for improvement
• Facilitate all production related meetings and distribute information accordingly across production department and others as needed
• Hire and manage 15+ production department staff, determining suitable crew requirements to ensure load-ins, shows, and load-outs are properly staffed and cleanly conducted.
• Work with Lighting, Sound and Scenic Supervisors to estimate building costs, and obtain bids for rental equipment.
• Purchase and schedule delivery/pick-up of rental equipment, building materials, transportation and other necessary technical equipment.
• Obtain and provide COI, tax exempt forms, licenses and other paperwork appropriately
• Maintain and adhere to Festival budget.
• Determine suitable crew requirements to ensure load-ins, shows, and load-outs are properly staffed and cleanly executed.
• In 2022 realigned production schedules/benchmarks to factor in changing conditions such as materials shortages and evolving designs.
• Create and maintain comprehensive Festival Schedule, across 13-15 calendars, and collaborate with department staff to communicate daily objectives and goals; administering daily call sheets
• Schedule and facilitate daily staff meetings.
• Assist other departments as needed
• Resolve issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
• Confirm all borrowed and rented items are returned

• Touring, domestically and internationally, producing 30+ Monster Jam events, as well as special events each year in stadiums, arenas, and other entertainment venues.
• Main point of contact for all technical aspects of each assigned production.
• Prepare and advance technical riders, for venues and outside vendors, so production is executed properly
• Request and submit graphic and video requests from creative department with appropriate lead times
• Coordinate with NBCSN, to ensure all broadcast needs are met for televised events. Includes collaborating on best camera locations for maximum amount of post production angles, cable runs, isolated audio drops for talent; incorporating TV needs into live event script to ensure fans get best experience.
• Review production quotes to stay within allotted budget
• Prepare and maintain talent script and develop storylines week-to-week
• Lead production meetings with on-site venue staff of 15+ for: load-in/ day-of- execution/ load-out
• Work with promoters to execute market partnerships to ensure deliverables are met
• Lead Host Meeting of 5+ people, to review day-of show execution
• Coordinating with Mascot Handlers when onsite to utilize appropriately throughout show
• Produce and Direct live event, while maintaining artistic desires of Feld Entertainment, working with production stage manager as needed for safety
• Producing includes: Pit Parties, Trackside, Opening Ceremonies/Celebrity Guest Welcomes, Sponsor Activations, Scripted/Unscripted Interactions between promoter, talent, and fans
• Directing includes: Video Content, Music, Lights, Scoreboard/LED Board Graphics, Talent and Control Room Staff
• Created and developed SOW for talent interactions with guests, at Monster Jam Thunder Alley installations in Cedar Fair Parks
• Wrote SOP for how to prep and produce international events as audio visual manager

• Primary liaison between festival participants of 14 shows in one space, FringeNYC Staff and Venue Owners, leading up to and during festival
• Coordinated item sharing, storage, managed regulations to stay in NYC Fire Code compliance
• Oversaw and coordinated load-ins, technical rehearsals for all 14 shows, and strike
• Received training from FringeNYC to stay on brand, and be able to explain participants manual and other provided resources verbally and via Salesforce chat platform
• Assumed duties of house manager, helping to keep festival venue running on time, enforcing FringeNYC policies with compassion to customers
• Worked with venue owners to understand and provide exceptional care of each space
• Performed daily equipment and lighting grid check