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Read as Veronica Beach talks about her career as Global Head of Production at DAVID Advertising Agency.  Find her at www.davidtheagency.com and on the Twitter feed in the sidebar of this interview.

What do you do for a living?

I’m the Global Head of Production for DAVID the agency. DAVID is an Advertising Agency founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil with another office in Buenos Aires, Argentina and we are opening an office in New York City soon. My job is to oversee, build and run the Production Department globally in all 3 countries. Production in the sense of Film; anything Film related and sometimes more.

How would you describe what you do?

Magical, we make ideas come alive. It’s a very creative job but also very business focused too – ultimate problem solving.

What does your work entail?

Everything from start to finish in making a creative idea come alive and shown to an audience. My work entails seeking out new talent from Directors, Editors, Visual Effects companies and graphics companies, music companies etc… We do all the bidding for the job once our creative team decides on the talent we want to use for our TV commercial, Web Film, Radio Spot – Digital Campaign – Live Event or Installation. We create the timelines, manage the budget, manage all the talent hired to build the idea for the agency. We take the project from start to finish. We solve problems, find solutions, negotiate – it’s a very personable business – high risk and high stress.

What’s a typical work week like?

This is the fun part. It varies. Today I am in an edit bay in New York cutting revisions to a TV spot, next week I am in Brazil working in an office. The end of October I am in Buenos Aires and speaking at Creative Conference. Last Spring I spent 5 weeks on the road shooting in London, Cape Town & Buenos Aires. We are always with the projects. Get ready to travel and get ready to work wherever from editing bays, to shooting sets, music studios and so on.

How did you get started?

I went to school for Journalism, but I knew I wanted to work in Film – so after school I went to Los Angeles and worked in the Film Industry, I didn’t like it very much – it took forever to get a project off the ground and I didn’t enjoy the people much; it was very fake. I found my way into a company making Industrial videos and literally one day answered an ad for a producer at an Advertising Agency and so I feel like it was a lucky accident 🙂

What do you like about what you do?

I love the people, I love that I can wear whatever I want and say swear words when I’m mad ;). I love that it is creative and also very numbers focused. I love love to negotiate and solve problems and I love that we make small films 🙂 in :30 …

What do you dislike?

I dislike that it takes me from my family a lot with all the travel and long hours.

How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

I’m paid a salary.

How much do people in your career make?

At my level – a very good salary so that you can really enjoy your life.

How much money did/do you make starting out?

My first job as an agency producer (Jr. level) I was making $35,000/year.

What education, schooling, or skills are needed to do this?

The school of LIFE.

What is most challenging about what you do?

Managing the money and all the personalities on a project.

What is most rewarding?

When the end result is beautiful and everyone including yourself are proud.

What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

Do it – it’s the best job ever. See if you can get a job as an intern at an Ad Agency in the Film Production Department.

How much time off do you get/take?

Ha ha ha – I take it when I can but I travel a lot so I see the world.

What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

That I don’t do anything.

What are your goals/dreams for the future?

I’m founding a charity for Alzheimer’s with some industry people; it’s my heart because my father is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

I’d like to meet a nice man and have a family.

I’d like to get through this new job I have and not screw it up too much 🙂

What else would you like people to know about your job/career?

I’m also the founder of a Producer Network called poolhouse – check it out and follow us on facebook, twitter, linkedin.

Websites:
www.davidtheagency.com
www.thepoolhouse.tv
http://veronicabeach.tumblr.com/

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