Sonette Ellis

Production Manager

Talent

Johannesburg, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan MunicipalityMember since February 24, 2023

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About

I am a Production Manager, Line Producer and producer that have over 29 years’ experience in the South African as well as international television industry. I have worked on all genres of television from dramas to from advertising to wildlife to reality to dramas, to sitcoms and children's programs.

I excel in a challenging environment. Deadlines do not phase me as it is part of television. I am a typical project manager; everything must be perfect. I excel in putting all the necessary operational systems in place such as macro/micro schedules, budgets, crews, as well as sourcing the necessary suppliers. Having produced my own shows (extreme sport, magazine show, talk show, cooking show etc), I understand the challenges of marrying a creative idea with a non-existing budget.

Having worked in the industry so long, I know all the principles to ensure all safety nets are in place without compromising the budget or schedules. Established relationships are a valued commodity and it has helped me to execute high quality productions at low budgets without sacrificing quality or production values.

Television is my passion and I excel in completing any project within time and budget whilst having great fun.

Experience

COMPANY: CLIVE MORRIS PRODUCTIONS

PRODUCTION: Longest running environmental show in the world for SABC2 called “50/50” ; “VeldFokus” – viewer participation competition.

POSITION: Assistant Content Producer

PERIOD: March 2022 to December 2022

DUTIES

Series producer “Veldfokus” and Adventure series
Conceptualizing and researching program content
Arranging and scheduling all local and international internally content
Selecting “Veldfokus” competition entries
Scriptwriting: “VeldFokus” studio links, all other segments relating to “50/50”
All communication relating to final episode broadcasts
including writing of press releases; informing participants of broadcast dates.
Assisting with translations
Handling all public queries pertaining to “50/50”
In absence of Line Producer and Production Manager handling all month-end payments and production admin
Wrapping all financial and program content

COMPANY: DiPrente Film Production company

PRODUCTION: “57”- Netflix Documentary

POSITION: Clip clearance and Archive researcher

PERIOD: August 2021 to November 2021

DUTIES

Research and source South African archive footage
Negotiating footage rate with international content holders such as BBC, Gallo, AP, AFP etc
Searching for B-Roll footage on various platforms that will enhance documentary message.

PLUS: Media consultant for wildlife animal sanctuary with above the line media and social media strategies for the relocation of their animals campaign.

COMPANY: CLIVE MORRIS PRODUCTIONS

PRODUCTION: Longest running environmental show in the world for SABC2 called “50/50”

POSITION: Assistant Content Producer

PERIOD: March 2020 to October 2020

DUTIES

Conceptualizing and researching program content
Arranging and scheduling all local and international internally content
Selecting “Veldfokus” competition entries
Scriptwriting: “VeldFokus” studio links, all other segments relating to “50/50”
All communication relating to final episode broadcasts including writing of press releases; informing participants of broadcast dates.
Assisting with translations
Handling all public queries pertaining to “50/50”
Wrapping all financial and program content

COMPANY: HOPLITE ENTERTAINMENT PORTFOLIO ONE

PRODUCTIONS: “Ring of Champions”- Reality doccie series on various MMA fighters across Europe and America.

“Slope Slap”- Extreme ski- adventure reality series shot in South Africa with 48 international contestants.

“Proof”-Investigative paranormal series with well-known international experts on episodic themes

POSITION: Snr Production Manager/ Content Producer: Proof

PERIOD: July 2018 to Nov 2019

DUTIES

Compilation of initial series budgets
Co-Ordinating all Zoom meetings with Hollywood Co-Producers and international production teams across various time zones.
Set up and maintaining all administrative documents for various productions
Crisis management
Admin wrap up of all productions
Budget finalization upon completion of all productions

“Ring of Champions: Reality doccie series on various MMA fighters across Europe and America.

Compiling MMA fighter contender list for approval by channel
Upon approval making contact agents and fighters
Co-Ordinating all international travel with Line Producer
Arranging all European and American visas
Arranging carnets
Drawing up shoot schedules
Sourcing local and international crew
Sourcing all local and international crew and equipment and negotiating rates
Finalizing all fighters and crew contracts
Compiling daily callsheets and shoot schedules
Arranging all international shoot permits at locations such as American national parks and European museums.
Researching and arranging B-Roll locations
Creating and maintaining Google Drive documents
Sourcing East Block language translators
Subtitle quality controller

“Slope Slap”: Extreme ski-adventure reality series with 48 international contestants shot in South Africa

Arranging recce of two suitable ski-resorts in South Africa
Assisting in securing location
Location recce
Drawing up of macro and micro production schedules
Co-Ordinating, in accordance with Line Producer, all accommodation arrangement for 48 contestants
Sourcing all crew and equipment and negotiating rates as per budget
Finalizing all contracts: crew, accommodation etc.
Arranging travel and accommodation schedules for international production team and international presenters, including various private charter flights to remote location
Ensuring all health and safety procedures are in place such as extra medical personnel, extra medical equipment for high altitude conditions, advising international participants of necessary vaccinations needed for South Africa
All resort liaison and crisis 8 days without electricity; no heating; no internet/cell phone reception
Presenter and contestant conflict and panic and many more
Contestant assistance during shoots especially in terms of medical emergencies
Finalizing contestant contracts and payments
Wrapping up of production

“Proof”- Investigative paranormal series with well-known international experts on episodic themes.

Sourcing of on-line video clips as per episode theme.
Negotiating clip fees and usage rights of above clips.
Securing international usage rights of above clips for European, American and African territories
Meticulous record keeping of all YouTube; Vimeo; Facebook and Instagram videos clips used to ensure are all territories are legally compliant
Continuous communication with legal team to ensure all content is in-line with potential international broadcasters mandates.
Budget control
Script approvals and changes
Off-line edits with editor; final approvals before client approvals
On-Line approvals before client approvals

COMPANY: Flat Art Studios

PRODUCTIONS: Mnet reality show: “Let’s Eat with Siphokazi Season 3”- Food/Talk show with winner of well-known food competition show in South Africa

POSITION: Line Producer

PERIOD: April to June 2018

DUTIES

Content conceptualization
Budget compilation and managing
Celebrity selection, agent negotiation, contract finalization
Production micro and macro scheduling
Crew (+-15 members) sourcing, negotiating, and contracting.
Post-production scheduling, overseeing and managing.
Off-Line approvals, client approvals and corrections overseeing.

COMPANY: MEDIAFIX

PRODUCTIONS: SABC sitcom “Knie Diep In Die Warm Water”, “Dorpie”

POSITION: Associate Producer

PERIOD: JULY –NOV 2017

DUTIES

Mentoring young producers to ensure commissioned sitcom is produced according to SABC requirements.
Casting
Crew selection, negotiation, contracting.
Scheduling
Mentoring young crew members with new duties.
Conceptualising new content ideas

COMPANY: HOGARTH–OGILVY

CLIENTS: PHILIPS, COCA COLA, CAT, FANTA, MOTOROLA

POSITION: Snr International Broadcast Producer

PERIOD: APRIL– JUNE 2017

Transcreation of international television commercials, on-line videos or Facebook content
International client liaison
Compiling of budgets
International voice over selection
Voice talent selection, presenting to client for selection, booking through agents.
Setting up of multi time zone voice over recordings
Overseeing voice over sessions, edits and final mix
Client approvals
Delivery to international stations
Reconciliation of budget and project