Dj Birnbaum Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, California, United States

Head of Production for Painless TV covering a number of unscripted shows for various networks. Managing staff, crew, budgets, scheduling, procedures and just about anything that comes up when overseeing shows shot all over the country in various genres. Also, building budgets and production plans for development projects to maximize production efficiency, and to provide compelling television. Complete supervision from start to finish on each project, all while managing the bottom line, building partnerships with networks, and helping those involved to grow and stay invested in the projects and the company.

Providing production expertise in budgeting, planning, scheduling and project buildout for various shows and networks. Worked with a number of mid to high end production companies to help get new projects off the ground, or to consult on existing projects that needed to pivot and adapt with challenging budgets and shifts in the television landscape.

DJ steadily moved up to executive leadership, assuming ever-expanding roles with day-to-day oversight in the unscripted and first-run syndication unit. He managed up to 10 direct reports and 375+ downstream employees, contractors, and free-lancers and directed logistics and scheduling to optimize budgets, ensure healthy productions, and maximize profits. Built cohesive structure involving cross-functional teams to expedite launch of entirely new project idea, road-mapping milestones, crafting financial model, and managing costs end-to-end. Newly formulated workflow became company standard. Reinvigorated aging shows at risk of going off air due to bloated budgets, leading team brainstorming, devising new creative takes on projects, and evolving shows with fresh looks while also reducing budgets – saving millions. Produced high-level-talent television pilots with very tight budgets by pushing projects out-of-state to capitalize on tax credits and creating in-depth action plans to ensure budget savings would enable smooth production run. Smoothed launch of projects started without creative locked-in, adequate staffing, sufficient office space, or stages and technical facilities by building schedule, budget, and structure, supervising hires, and giving on-the-ground, hands-on leadership. Added value as solid corporate citizen, serving on company’s Green Council, organizing volunteer opportunities as Community Engagement Officer, and mentoring hundreds in Business Resource Group.

On day one, DJ was tasked with transitioning a digital property, into a cross-platform television multimedia company. This included building a plan to construct a studio operation with over one hundred employees, the technical infrastructure, and working on creative elements to bring the project to life. From this plan and elements, he had oversight to help create this multi-million dollar entity. While maintaining oversight and input on the above entity, he began to work on necessary efficiencies to help streamline overall profits. Successfully launched new projects each year in a studio environment, with set and office build-outs, as well as new budgetary builds to cover the plan.

Spearheaded multiple projects from pre-production through post production, while always staying on, or under, budget. Used creative methods to ensure each project was executed diligently.

Balanced many studio and field projects, while building plans for new projects, covering crew needs, and working with senior leadership to ensure smooth productions.

Collaborated with creative leaders to evolve a new sport while bringing high production value to the television coverage in a high octane sports experience. Managed multiple teams and players needs to ensure all elements ran smoothly. Also worked with network executives and advertising partners to fulfill the vision.

Maximized a lean budget for five films produced in a row with short filming schedules. Found creative ways to save money on each project, which allowed for greater production value in each film.

Grew each year in responsibility to help ensure a healthy budget, quality product, and to help feed a collaborative environment. Worked with talent, agents, managers, network and other executives to ensure that the show maintained its popular positioning and upward trajectory.