Meet Stephanie Dawson, Producer
🎭 Pro Spotlight: Stephanie Dawson, who worked her way up from Production Assistant to Producer, offers advice to those early in their careers.
Stephanie Dawson is an experienced line producer and currently a producer for “Great Performances” on PBS. Based in New York City, Stephanie is a co-founder of Women Independent Producers and very active in the “green set” movement, encouraging entertainment industry professionals to reduce their carbon footprints on set and elsewhere. Here’s my recent interview with her:
Jane Applegate (JA): When did you know you wanted to be in the entertainment industry?
Stephanie Dawson (SD): I have always wanted to work in film and television. I watched classic films with my father, Hitchcock with my mother, and sci-fi films with my aunts and uncles. But I started to gain an understanding about producing when I watched the behind-the-scenes vignettes on DVDs and listened to the commentary tracks. I loved how producers would speak across the entire film, while department heads would only speak on their area, or directors spoke about actors.
Producing also fits my personality. I want to know about every job, even the ones I won't ever attempt. I enjoy project planning and execution. And I really like paperwork—I have been known to collect office supplies in my search for the perfect binder or planner. Once I got to Full Sail University, I directed one project, but I produced all the others. I knew that was the best fit for me.
JA: Did your parents try to discourage you from pursuing such a risky career?
SD: Absolutely! And I don't blame them. I also discourage people who are not 100% committed. It's hard. There is no path, no safety net, and frankly the jobs are thankless for a long time before they become rewarding.
As a Black woman born in the mid-70s, I was two generations from sharecroppers and one generation from factory workers. For my parents, a career in film & TV was an unknown. We had no family or friends who worked in the industry. From the actors and people we could see on TV, it felt like you could only make it if you were born into it.
I told my parents that I would try it for five years, and that made them feel better. I had already worked at a Fortune 500 company, so I had a backup plan. So that time-limit made my parents feel more at ease.
JA: What was your career path? Did you attend film school or a college level program?
SD: I was in the stage crew at my high school. I made videos with my friends. I volunteered for my public access station to shoot city council meetings, high school sports, concerts and special events. I taught myself filming, recording audio and editing.
I watched every behind-the-scenes video and commentary track on movie DVDs. I watched award shows, read magazines and books, and networked with my local film group.
I quit my Fortune 500 job after 5 years to attend Full Sail University. I also attended film festivals and volunteered with filmmaking organizations to meet people and gain experience. After Full Sail, I moved to New York and started as a production assistant. I worked up to producer's assistant, then production coordinator. I learned budgeting, scheduling and general production management along the way. I work as a freelancer but have also taken staff positions.
JA: What advice do you have for parents who are afraid to encourage their children’s creative dreams?
SD: Ideally, parents nurture and support creative dreams while children are young. If you fear your child won’t make enough to live on, encourage them to work and teach them to save and spend responsibly. Save an emergency fund for them if you can. Reach out to your community to help them with housing, food, clothes, etc.
Educate yourself on the industry: attend festivals, read the trade magazines, join social media groups and organizations. Look for local production opportunities at your place of worship, public access or local school district for your child to build confidence and skills.
If you can afford a camera, or even a smartphone, secure one and encourage your child to make content. If your child shows passion and independence, then they have a real chance at being successful. Watch the content your child makes and encourage them.
Visit top film schools. If your child can get in (and you can afford it) that would be great because film is a collaborative art and they can build their network. If they don’t get in, or finances dictate another school, encourage them to study a related field and minor in film. They should pursue also internships and life experiences.
All in all, do what you think is best and listen to your child.
JA: What do you wish you knew when you were 20 years-old?
So many things. But in terms of my career, I wish someone would have told me how to save money, invest in my retirement and plan for health care (coverage). I also wish someone had told me that I could take more risks and that everything would be okay. It doesn't always work out the way you thought it would, but it usually isn't as dire as it seems at the time. Enjoy the ride.
I also wished I had found mentors earlier and more often. Having a mentor to ask questions and lean on is very important. Your mentor doesn't have to stay in that role for your entire career. Sometimes mentors get you through the present situation, and then you both move on. But having mentors is invaluable.
JA: What advice do you have for teenagers or younger professionals?
I would tell young people that your dreams are valid, but you must work hard to make them come true.
Learn your strengths and skills, then use them to your advantage as you pursue your career. If you can attend a top film school, great. If not, writers -should major in English or Creative Writing; Producers - major in Business, Finance or Law; and Directors – major in Theater Directing or Acting.
Or learn a trade: Carpentry, Art, Costumes, Photography, Project Management, etc. Volunteer to work on as many film projects in school as you can. Minor or take electives in film but focus on building skills, because all sorts of skills are needed on set. If you choose a major outside of film, volunteer to work on jobs between film gigs. Look for a part-time job to support you during unpaid internships.
If you are out of college, but under 30, work for a year or two and save up enough money to move to a production center and live for 1-2 years. Production is relationship-based, and the sooner you can get established and build your network, the better.
I also encourage you to put yourself and your family first. If you must step away from the industry for a short while, you can always come back.
