Sonia Szczesna
Trenton,NJ
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Executive Producer
Sharks Unknown With Jasmin Graham - PBS Digital
12.2022 - Current
- Pitched series to PBS Digital Studios in collaboration with Minorities in Shark Sciences as part of their NSF Grant exploring diversity in STEM content
- Coordinated fundraising of additional $25,000 for series
- Sourced and hired crew for complex productions involving wildlife in various locations around U.S.
- Coordinated with producers, talent, and scientists to create program content, new ideas, and segments.
- Developed schedules for writing, production, and editing for timely delivery.
Co-Owner, Producer
Sourland Studios
05.2016 - Current
- Produced the award-winning feature-length documentary, Godspeed, Los Polacos! from concept to distribution in addition to assistant editing, storyboarding, script writing.
- Managed scheduling and logistics for various projects simultaneously keeping everything on budget and on schedule.
- Produced branded content for clients including Lonely Planet, The Redford Center, Fuji Bikes, Clif Bar, Princeton Tec,Hydroflask, and others.
- Successfully fundraised for various film projects through grants, sponsorships, and crowdfunding campaigns .
- Researched, sourced, and licensed extensive collections of archival footage for various projects .
- Managed hiring, financials, legal paperwork, deal memos, permitting and other logistics for production.
Impact Producer
The Street Project
04.2023 - 10.2023
- Developed strategic partnerships with leading advocacy organizations across the country to expand the film’s reach.
- Collaborated with local, state, and national organizations to host successful screenings that helped build organizational capacity or power through fundraising and/or organizing.
- Developed materials for organizations to use in their screenings
- Strategically implemented an outreach plan to maximize the number of screenings in each state.
Archival Producer
The Outlaw Ocean Project
03.2023 - 09.2023
- Sourced footage for documentaries about groundbreaking investigations .
- Developed trust with sources to gain access to critical material .
- Researched topics associated with investigations and developed partnerships with leading organizations .
- Managed the process of licensing with various partners on budget and on schedule.
Field Producer, Location Sound Mixer
Wingspan Productions
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Coordinated crew and schedule for NYC production for The Real Spies Among Friends
- Location sound mixer for a documentary series on malaria.
Director
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
07.2018 - 09.2022
- Managed critical Circuit Trail Network projects in New Jersey, moving projects through phases of trail development by providing leadership and supervision to interdisciplinary teams of professionals, elected leaders, agencies, and residents.
- Secured hundreds of thousands in grant funding to expand accessibility to trails in Greater Philadelphia.
- Provided technical assistance to counties and municipalities interested in applying for federal, state, and foundation funding for trail development in Circuit Trails region through expert grant writing and facilitation.
- Facilitated and led statewide coalitions around Vision Zero and Complete & Green Streets policies.
- Founded Vision Zero New Jersey Alliance and developed organization's website.
- Successfully wrote and proposed bills for New Jersey's legislature around active and sustainable transportation.
Researcher
Pangolin Pictures
09.2019 - 09.2019
- Literature review on various topics pertaining to shark behavior for National Geographic show Sharkcano .
- Researched and licensed archival footage for National Geographic’s Sharks vs. Dolphins.
Education
Master in Environmental Policy And Planning -
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ05.2018
Master of Arts - Geography
Rutgers University
New Brunswick05.2013
Skills
- Adobe Suite: Premiere Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, AfterEffects
- Location Sound Mixing
- ArcGIS, AutoCAD
- Media Management
- Budget Management
Languages
Polish
Native or Bilingual
Russian
Professional Working
Turkish
Limited Working
Timeline
Impact Producer
The Street Project
04.2023 - 10.2023
Archival Producer
The Outlaw Ocean Project
03.2023 - 09.2023
Co-Executive Producer
Sharks Unknown With Jasmin Graham - PBS Digital
12.2022 - Current
Field Producer, Location Sound Mixer
Wingspan Productions
10.2022 - 05.2023
Researcher
Pangolin Pictures
09.2019 - 09.2019
Director
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
07.2018 - 09.2022
Co-Owner, Producer
Sourland Studios
05.2016 - Current
Master in Environmental Policy And Planning -
Rutgers University
Master of Arts - Geography
Rutgers University
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