Jana Taylor

My name is Jana Taylor. I have been in New York City for three years as a freelance production assistant and working on personal projects.

I have always had an interest in the arts and writing. I attended Savannah College of Art and Design in the fall of 2005. There I indulged in all media but the film and television department was where I found my home. SCADs curriculum required every aspect of the film and television industry to be studied, practiced and applied. Early into the program I found I had a passion for producing and production managing. I signed on to as many projects as possible to gain experience and connections. I was a Production Manager and Producer for a project called Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. The project received a spotlight at the Savannah Film Festival and I spoke on the panel for the project. That project gave me connects and experience that most students did not have and before I knew it I was producing my peers projects and had become “in demand”. The projects I was able to work on and the knowledge I gained has been valuable in preparing me for a life in this industry.

After graduating I worked with a production company called Chautauqua Films as an Associate Producer/Production Manager. While I was working with them full time we were hired, by the Philanthropy Project, to work with AOL on a webisode documentary series called My House to the White House. We traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to Washington, DC following an eleven-year-old boy, Zach Bonner, as he raised awareness and money for child homelessness. This project was an amazing experience. I was in charged of finances, all paper work, emails, booking hotels and flights, connecting with shoot locations and people to interview, dealing with all the companies involved in the project (AOL, BWR, The Philanthropy Project, The Little Red Wagon Foundation) as well as much more. This project required complete organization, which is something I have mastered due to previous projects. I gained amazing experiences in my work and personal life through this project, it is definitely something I will never forget.

I have been in New York City for about three years as a freelance production assistant. I have also been working as a host, maître d’, and server in the city since arrival (Zengo and Teqa). Working in that industry has also prepared me for past paced environments. I have excellent people skills and am able to think fast on my feet.

Currently I am working on a personal project educating people about tequila. I am the writer, co-producer and assistant director. The project will launch September 6th, 2012.