Role: Associate Producer  

Client: Miss Universe Organization

My agency and on-set production experiences collided for the perfect opportunity: to work on the 71st Miss Universe competition in New Orleans. 

Working hand-in-hand with the Post Supervisor, I oversaw a team of 10 NOLA-based editors who created 37 packages and 11 bumpers in just two weeks for three Miss Universe live events: the prelims, costume show, and main competition. 

On any given day, I could be found sourcing material from delegates, coordinating footage drops with field producers, giving creative feedback, routing videos for executive approval…and so much more. We worked nonstop, editing videos as soon as we received footage from the delegates’ excursions around NOLA, which included a Carnival parade (Joan of Arc), ghost tour, Tujague’s food tasting, National WWII Museum visit, and New Orleans School of Cooking class. As organized and prepared as we were, last minute tweaks and full-blown changes were inevitable, whether re-editing a package on the day it was set to air or racing to grab a line of voiceover from a host. 

It was an incredibly rewarding experience, giving me the opportunity to showcase my producer chops and pick up some new skills. 

Miss Ukraine was a volunteer during the Russia-Ukraine war, and after hearing her story, we simply had to create a package to amplify her voice.

We were incredibly fortunate to be in town for the start of Carnival season. The reigning Miss Universe and a group of delegates joined the Joan of Arc parade, celebrating women’s empowerment.

Two groups of delegates went on foodie excursions: one to Tujague’s for a tasting and one to the New Orleans School of Cooking for a class.

Shortly into the main competition, the top 16 delegates are announced. Each has their own ~45 second video to introduce who they are, where they come from, and what they stand for. I assisted our editors in creating succinct narratives for each delegate, plus sourced B-roll and translations.

The costume show is a beloved element of the competition, giving delegates the opportunity to go big and dream up bold costumes in honor of their country. This year was no exception  — elaborate headpieces, animatronic wings, and head to toe sequins were just a few of the many incredible looks.