About Paola

  • Share profile:
    Multi-skilled - Experienced Assistant Producer

    MOST RECENT JOBS
     Assistant Producer (Self - Shooting) 

    4 x National Geographic Documentaries
    - Ducati Multistrada - Megafactories
    - Agusta Westland - Magafactories
    - Iveco Lince - Megafactories

    and

    CONSTANTINE'S VISION
    THE SIRENTE METEORITE -
    NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-TV6, United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, USA
    June - Nov 2010

    I was the AP and Shooting AP. My duties included researching stories, finding contributors, organizing shoots on location in the UK and abroad, archive footage and photographs, second Camera shooting on Sony EX1 HD and Lumix (time lapse sequences) organizing all aspects of production and logistics including Recce, Drama Reconstructions and Shoots in the UK and abroad (mainly Italy, Germany and Austria).

    Duties also included casting actors and extras for reconstruction sequences, compiling deliverables, release forms, PR photos, writing weblogs, video-blogs and annotated scripts for National Geographic.

    PRODUCING
    Prior to my position with National Geographic for TV6 and The Gamma Project I worked as a Producer setting up a very complex shoot for BBC Knowledge in Singapore, the Middle East and Egypt, filming mainly in the Sahara desert as well as the Wadi Rum in Jordan. My duties included setting up all aspects of production in the UK and abroad. I solely set up all shoots for 5 x 30 sec idents filmed in 11 days in 3 continents. My duties also included: booking equipment, crew, flights, hotels, dealing with logistics, casting, booking talents, transportation, dealing with fixers, carnet, etc. I administrated a £100,000 budget in the process. The idents are due for transmission in 2011.

    SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
    My main background is in documentaries, films and journalism and includes contracts with daily news programmes and documentaries for mainly the BBC, Discovery Channel, 20th Century Fox, Channel 4 and History Channel USA.


    ABOUT ME AND FUTURE GOALS
    I have Directed and Produced a short - film called Rollin' On. The film was financed by Film London, screened at BAFTA, selected for the London Film Festival, screened at Cannes Film Festival and also short-listed for the ITV LOCAL BOBS award. In the long term, I would like to continue writing and making films and documentaries.

    ADDITIONAL SKILLS
    I own and operate a PD170. I also operate Sony HDV-Z1, EX1 cameras and Panasonic DVCPRO HD, as well as editing, mainly on Final Cut Pro. I am fluent in Italian and Spanish and I speak basic French. I have worked on location in he UK and set up shoots in Italy, Spain, Germany, USA. I also have a car and a full clean driving license.

    EDUCATION

    I hold a MA in International Journalism and a MA in Documentary Research for Film and TV.

    My IMDB link is: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1866589/

    These are some of the links to recent documentaries:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsu_6SPrils

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO-w9n-FLLo

    LATEST CREDITS:
    Assistant Producer National Geographic x 5
    Producer BBC Knowledge
    Producer BBC Worldwide Entertainment
    PD/ Asthma UK
    PD/Age Concern
    PD/Film Council/Independent
    PD/UK Film London/Independent
    Assistant Producer
    History Channel
    Other Credits:
    Researcher / AP
    13 x 1h documentaries for the History Channel (USA)
    Archive Researcher
    5 x 24min documentaries for Channel 4
    Archive Researcher
    The Omen Documentary
    20th Century Fox
    Archive Researcher

    Kind Regards,
    Paola Desiderio -
    0 77 99 77 8250
    rollingonfilm@yahoo.co.uk
    Read More...

    Credits

    • Blue
    • Pink
    • Green
    LMV IVECO - MEGAFACTORIES  - National Geographic - The Gamma Project , United Kingdom
    2011 - Assistant Producer (Self-shooting)
    Duties included researching stories, finding contributors, developing script content, finding locations, hiring crew, setting up all aspects of various shoots in the UK and abroad, mainly Italy, attending shoots on locations providing logistics and translations. Duties also included shooting time-lapse sequences, operating second camera and dealing with and producing most elements of deliverables.



    DUCATI MULTISTRADA - MEGAFACTORIES  -  National Geographic/The Gamma Project , United Kingdom
    2011 - Assistant Producer (Self-shooting)
    Duties included researching stories, finding contributors, developing script content, finding locations, hiring crew, setting up all aspects of various shoots in the UK and abroad, mainly Italy, attending shoots on locations providing logistics and translations. Duties also included shooting time-lapse sequences, operating second camera and dealing with and producing most elements of deliverables.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsu_6SPrils

    AGUSTA SUPER CHOPPER - MEGAFACTORIES  - National Geographic / The Gamma Project , United Kingdom
    2011 - Assistant Producer (Self-shooting)
    Duties included researching stories, finding contributors, developing script content, finding locations, hiring crew, setting up all aspects of various shoots in the UK and abroad, mainly Italy, including shoots involving up to 3 helicopters simultaneously and setting up rescue-mission-simulations. Duties also included attending shoots on locations providing logistics and translations, shooting time-lapse sequences, operating second camera and dealing with and producing most elements of deliverables.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3JgSni0CXI

    CONSTANTINE'S VISION - THE SIRENTE METEORITE  - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC-TV6 , United Kingdom
    2010 - Assistant Producer
    Duties included researching stories, finding contributors, locations, archive footage and photographs, second Camera shooting on Sony EX1 HD, organizing all aspects of production and logistics including Recce, Drama Reconstructions and Shoots in the UK and abroad (mainly Italy and Austria). Duties also included casting actors and extras, compiling deliverables files, release forms, PR photos, blogs, video blogs and annotated scripts for National Geographic.

    BBC KNOWLEDGE IDENTS 2010 - TILT DESIGN - BBC KNOWLEDGE , England
    2010 - Producer
    Duties included setting up all aspects of production in the UK and abroad. I solely set up the production and related shoots for 5 x 30 sec. idents shot in 11 days in Singapore, Egypt and Jordan. My duties also included: booking equipment, crew, flights, hotels, dealing with logistics, talents, transportation, etc.

    CAMERAMAN: LIFE AND WORK OF JACK CARDIFF - MO FILMS , England
    2010 - Archive Researcher
    Duties included sourcing images and footage, negotiating licenses and clearing rights. The films is 90% archive-based and it was screened at BFI Southbank throughout May, selected for the Cannes Film Festival during which it received a standing ovation and it has since been distributed by Optimum.

    MARIO BORRELLI  - ASSOCIAZIONE PALOOKAVILLE , United Kingdom
    2009 - Assistant Director (1st)
    Producing and working as an Assistant Director on a 1 x 1h Documentary on the life and work of Father Mario Borrelli, founder of the House of Urchins in Naples.
    Duties include setting up shoots and interviews in the UK, investigative research, video archive sourcing and clearing, picture research.
    Shot on location in Italy and UK.

    CAPTIVATING FACES  - BBC WORLDWIDE ENT. / TILT DESIGN , United Kingdom
    2009 - Producer
    Producing 4 x 2 min "Idents" for BBC Worldwide Entertainment. Duties included casting 40 actors, setting up the shoots, recruiting crew, first AD.

    GOONER REVIEW  - DOUBLE D PRODUCTIONS , United Kingdom
    2009 - Archive Researcher
    My duties included sourcing, negotiating and buying all Archive material. For a 1 hour documentary on Arsenal football club. The main content was provided by Premier League and official providers, but also individual independent photographers and fans. My duties also included contract payments, sorting out legal issues and clearances.

    GOONER REVIEW  - DOUBLE D PRODUCTIONS , United Kingdom
    2009 - Archive Researcher
    My duties included sourcing, negotiating and buying all Archive material. For a 1 hour documentary on Arsenal football club. The main content was provided by Premier League and official providers, but also individual independent photographers and fans. My duties also included contract payments, sorting out legal issues and clearances.

    NINTENDO WII AND DS COMMERCIAL  - SYNCHRONICITY FILM , United Kingdom
    2009 - Assistant Director (1st)
    Duties included being the First Assistant Director on set and supervising costumes, make up, action, props, continuity on set and during the preparation/pre-production phase, as well as smooth running of the shoot and logistics.

    ROLLIN' ON  - GRAFFITI FILMS / PAOLA DESIDERIO / FILM LONDON , United Kingdom
    2008 - Producer/Director (Self-shooting)
    I have just Directed and Produced a short - film called Rollin' On. The film was financed by Film London, screened at BAFTA, selected for the London Film Festival, as part of a special screening of "some of the best shorts produced in the capital this year"(BFI and also short-listed for the ITV LOCAL BOBS award. It can be watched here www.itvlocal.com/london/bobs. In the long term, I would like to continue writing and making films.

    THE OMEN: DOCUMENTARY - SYNCHRONICITY FILMS / 20TH CENTURY FOX , United Kingdom
    2006 - Archive Producer

    20th Century Fox, "THE OMEN DOCUMENTARY"

    Duties included: researching, sourcing and clearing archive footage (USA.)



    A MOMENT IN TIME  - ENGLISH AND POCKET / DISCOVERY CHANNEL , United Kingdom
    2007 - Assistant Producer

    Discovery Channel - English and Pockett - 13 x 1 min short films

    AP organizing all aspect of production from casting to setting up shoots and locations.



    LAND ROVER GO BEYOND COMMERCIAL  - CRICKET LTD / LAND ROVER , United Kingdom
    2007 - Production Co-ordinator

    Cricket Limited for Land Rover
    Assisting the producer and "Top Gear" Director and Co-ordinating all aspects of production on 3 films for Land Rover.

    Duties included project administration, logistics, booking celebrities, setting up shoots on location and abroad and casting.



    SOAPSTAR SUPERSTAR  - ITV GRANADA , Unspecified
    2007 - Researcher/AP

    ITV 1, SOAPSTAR SUPERSTAR, 10 x 1h live TV shows on prime time

    Duties included assisting Producer/Directors during live show, setting up and filming backstage interviews, live logging, pulling timelines on AVID for the creation of 140 VT packages in 10 days



    POWER TO THE PEOPLE - AN A to Z of PROTEST  - HOTBED MEDIA / CHANNEL 4 , United Kingdom
    2006 - Archive Researcher

    Channel 4 Educational, "POWER TO THE PEOPLE: A to Z of Protest", 5 x 24 min Documentaries

    Duties included researching, sourcing and clearing archive footage for a 50% archive-based series of 5 documentaries, filming interviews and finding contributors.



    ANCIENT DISCOVERIES  - WILD DREAM FILMS , United Kingdom
    2008 - Researcher/AP
    13x 1h Documentaries for HISTORY USA (Former History Channel)

    My duties included finding and writing amazing stories, often world exclusives, setting up shoots abroad, supervising shoots on location including USA, ITALY, GERMANY, SWEDEN, UK, finding contributors, archive research, story-pitching, tea and coffee making and much more.

    ANCIENT DISCOVERIES - AIRBORNE ASSAULT  - WILD DREAM FILMS , United Kingdom
    2008 - Assistant Producer
    1x 1h Documentary for HISTORY USA (Former History Channel)

    Duties included: story-finding, contributors-finding, setting up all aspects of shoots in the UK and abroad.

    DEATH MASK  - WILD DREAM FILMS - HISTORY CHANNEL , United Kingdom
    2008 - Assistant Producer
    1x 1h Documentary for HISTORY USA (former History Channel)

    Duties included: story-finding, contributors-finding, setting up all aspects of shoots in the UK and abroad (Germany).

    Read More...

    Employment History


    Silver Sounds 
    Age Concern 
    1x 10 min Documentary / Promotional Video 
    Director / Producer / Editor 
    June - August 2009 

    PUT ASTHMA IN THE LIMELIGHT 
    Asthma UK 
    4x 30 secs Promotional Videos 
    Director / Producer / Editor 
    June 2009 

    URBAN POETRY PROJECT 
    The Arts Council 
    4 x 10 min Documentary 
    Director / Producer / Editor 
    April - May 2009 

    Nintendo Wii and DS 
    Synchronicity Films
    1 x 20 sec Official Commercial 
    AD (1st)
    February 2009

    History Channel
    Wild Dream Films
    Death Masks
    1 x 1h documentaries shot in HD
     AP
    November 2008 - December 2008

    Five
    BullseyeTV
    Development Researcher / Acting AP
    How to have sex properly (Sex Education/Archives) 
    October 2008-November 2008

    Sky
    BullseyeTV
    Development Researcher / Acting AP
    Funniest Out Takes 
    November 2008-November 2008


    History Channel
    Wild Dream Films
    Ancient Discoveries
    13 x 1h documentaries shot in HD
    Researcher / AP
    December 2007 - August 2008

    BBC Website / Web Resources
    BBC Headroom
    3x 10 min short films
    Producer Director
    February 2008

    ROLLING ON
    Independent production / Film London
    1x 7 min short documentary
    Producer Director
    December 2007 - May 2008

    Discovery Channel
    English and Pockett
    18x1min short films shot in HD
    Production Co-ordinator / Researcher
    June 2007-Sept 2007

    Land Rover,
    Commercial and Promotional films
    3x 10 min films shot on HD
    Production Co-Ordinator / Assistant Producer
    February 2007 - April 2007

    Duties included researching content and co-ordinating all stages and aspects of production.

    ITV 1,
    SOAPSTAR SUPERSTAR,
    10 x 1h live TV shows on prime time
    Clip Researcher/ Archive
    Dec 2006-Jan 2007

    Duties included assisting Producer/Directors during live show, setting up and filming backstage interviews, live logging, pulling timelines on AVID for the creation of 140 VT in 10 days.

    Archive Researcher
    POWER TO THE PEOPLE: A to Z of Protest
    Channel 4 Educational/ Hotbedmedia
    5 x 24 min Documentaries
    June 2006 - October 2006

    Duties included researching, sourcing and clearing archive footage for a 50% archive based series of 5 documentaries, administrating a £40,000 budget, filming interviews and finding contributors.

    Archive Researcher
    THE OMEN DOCUMENTARY
    20th Century Fox / Lipsync Films
    May 2006 - June 2006

    Duties included: researching, sourcing and clearing archive footage, mainly in the USA.

    Researcher
    Scenes of a Sexual Nature
    Tin Pan Film
    Feature film
    April 2006- June 2006

    Researcher
    CashHouse/World Wide Live Show
    Telecoms TV
    Writing content and researching 2 daily live shows
    October 2005-January 2006

    Duties included: writing content and researching 2 daily live Quiz shows

    Director/Editor
    Under the skin
    Fabrique Arts & Crafts/Refugee Council
    October 2005-January 2006

    Development Co-Producer/ Researcher
    Sulle Rotte del Gusto
    Digigraf-Italy
    August-September 2005

    Researcher office + on location (Italy)
    Atlas-Italy
    Discovery Channel
    2h documentary/8 character-driven stories
    June-July 2005

    Development Researcher
    Atlas-Italy
    Discovery Channel/Atlantic Productions
    April 2005- June 2005

    Development work included finding 8 stories representative of Italy's identity, history and culture. As a result, Discovery USA commissioned the documentary.
    Production duties included finding and developing 8 character-driven stories for a documentary about Italian culture, history and society, writing proposals, on location researcher (Italy), supervising the editing process and setting up recces and shoots.

    Co-Producer Director
    London isn't Venice,yet!
    Mutiny Arts/Community Channel
    May-June 2005

    Archive Researcher
    Blunt Film
    Music Video Royksopp
    May 2005

    Script Supervisor & Continuity
    When I stand on the Moon
    ShortFilm by Dir. Mark Fisher
    May 2005

    Script Supervisor & Continuity
    Casanova Love Letters
    Docudrama by Mark Murphy,
    DP Hong Munley
    March 2005

    Script Supervisor & Continuity
    Halal Harry
    a feature film by Russell Razaaq
    21 February Films
    February- March 2005

    Script Supervisor & Continuity
    INFINITE JUSTICE
    A feature film by Jamil Dehlavi Oct 04 - Nov 04

    Additional footage + Editor
    Rong Radio by Benjamin Zephanaia
    a film by Kary Stewart
    August 2004

    Researcher
    16Films Ken Loach
    February 2004

    Camera Operator/Editor
    Just Peace/SOAS
    30min video on peaceful conflict resolution in Palestine
    June 2004

    Researcher/AP/Editor
    Guerrilla News Network www.gnn.tv
    20-min news-video and interview with Benjamin Zephaniah
    May 2004-June 2004

    Camera Person /
    Production Assistant
    Peace Not War Music Festival
    February 2004

    Researcher/formats and ideas pitching
    October Films for BBC4 and Digigraph for RAI-TV Italy
    September 2003 /March 2004

    Work Experience
    BBC Radio London
    Assisting with organisation and output of the Notting Hill Gate Carneval
    August 2003/ September 2003

    Researcher/AP
    The Green Park Hotel
    Definition Films
    Historical Documentary
    March 2003/June 2003


    Senior Researcher/Assistant Producer
    A-TV (Arab Television)
    Duties included assisting with the production and research of a daily programme called "The Big Interview". Duties included pre and post production organisation and supervision. Duties also included production of a daily two-minutes clip called "Today in History.
    January 2003-March 2003

    Editor
    www.mwaw.org
    Duties include: subbing, uploading and writing articles, photography. Organizing public events and debates to promote freedom of information and the press.
    2002-2004


    Scriptwriter and Researcher:
    Road to AKKO/Docudrama by Eugenia Santiago for BBC/Talent
    May 2002

    Documentary Proposals and Researcher
    Sonic Production/ Tern Radio for BBC Radio4
    Submission of two ideas for documentaries put forward by Sonic Productions and Tern Radio to BBC Radio 4 Commission.
    May 2002


    Researcher
    The History Channel/ IndependentImage
    Temp.Researcher for a Documentary on Russian Mafia and Interpol. Duties: acquisition of video/surveillance footage, translation and investigative work.
    Nov 2000


    Freelance Journalist / Photographer:
    TAM TAM, Italian music magazine. Duties included writing articles and photography.
    1999-2000


    Internship as a Journalist:
    ANSA, Italian News Agency (London Bureau).
    Duties: writing/ translating articles (TV and Print), press conferences, conducting interviews and developing sources.
    Oct 1997-Jan 1998


    Researcher and Translator
    Ministry of Justice, Zagreb (Croatia)
    Worked in co-operation with UNICEF and Council of Europe on war crimes and crimes against children
    August 1996

    Chief Editor:
    The Louis, Italian Student magazine
    1994-1996

    TV Journalist
    Telediocesi Salerno local TV channel in Salerno/Italy
    1993

    VOLUNTARY WORK:
    Staff Member/Administration:July
    Reporting the World www.reportingtheworld.org The Freedom Forum/Conflict and Peace. Staff member/ co-organiser of a series of conferences on Peace and Ethical Journalism.
    2001


    Freelance Journalist/ Photographer/ Photo Editor
    www.Newsvision.co.uk News website. Duties included: subbing, writing articles, research, Photographer.
    Jan 2001-March 2001


    Photographer/Volunteer
    Free Tibet Campaign
    1999-2000
    Read More...

    Education

    MA Documentary & Research 2003-2004
    London College of Printing

    MA International Journalism 2000-2002
    City University, London.
    Subjects: International News, Practical Journalism, Journalism and Society, Web Journalism, International Relations, Production.
    Tutor: Colin Bickler. Thesis title: Time for Peace Journalism?


    Cambridge Proficiency Certificate in English 2001
    Cambridge University/Westminster College, London.

    BETEC Diploma in Media 1999-2000
    London College of Printing (London Institute)
    Subjects: Documentary/Research / Photography


    Facolta' di Giurisprudenza (Law)
    1993-1998
    LUISS University (Rome Italy). Pending.
    Number of Exams: 21/26. Marks' average A. Subjects: Mass Media Law.

    Erasmus Project Sept 1995- Jan 1996
    K.U.B. Tilburg University (the Netherlands),
    Law of Obligations, International Relations, European Union, Dutch Culture

    'Diploma in Journalism and Communication' Nov 1994-June 1995
    Fondazione RUI, (Rome Italy).

    Diploma di Maturita' Scientifica (equivalent A level in English)1988-1993
    Liceo Scientifico Leonardo da Vinci, Salerno
    Read More...

    Industry Qualifications

    please see Education
    Read More...

    Technical Equipment

    Own Editing FinalCut Pro 4
    Own DV camacoder P
    PD170
    DVD burner drive
    Read More...

    Affiliations

    Referees

    References:
    Simon Young
    Producer
    Atlantic Productions
    London
    Telephone: +44 (0) 20 3713200
    simony@atlanticproductions.co.uk

    Johannah Dyer
    HotBed Media Director
    Hotbed Meida Ltd.
    Hotbed House
    16 Regent Place
    Birmingham
    B1 3NJ

    0121 2483900
    johannah.dyer@hotbedmedia.co.uk
    Read More...

    Skills

    Camera Operator , Photographer Video Editor on Final Cut Pro 4
    Read More...

    Additional Information

    Industries

    • Commercials, 
    • Corporate, 
    • Film, 
    • Fluent Italian, Fluent Spanish, Intermediate French , 
    • TV

    Programme Types

    • Arts, 
    • Biography, 
    • Childrens, 
    • Commercial, 
    • Community Progs, 
    • Cookery, 
    • Corporate, 
    • Current Affairs, 
    • Daytime, 
    • Development, 
    • Documentary, 
    • Docusoap, 
    • Drama Reconstruction, 
    • Drama: Feature Film, 
    • Drama: Short Film, 
    • Drama: Television Serial, 
    • Dramatised Documentary, 
    • Education, 
    • Entertainment, 
    • Environment, 
    • Food, 
    • Glamour (Adult), 
    • Historical Documentary, 
    • Investigative, 
    • Leisure, 
    • Magazine, 
    • Motoring, 
    • Music, 
    • Music Promo, 
    • Natural History, 
    • News, 
    • Observational Documentary, 
    • Reality TV, 
    • Religion, 
    • Science, 
    • Social Action, 
    • Studio Debate, 
    • Style, 
    • Training, 
    • Travel, 
    • Youth

    Specialisms

    • Animal welfare, 
    • Architecture, 
    • Art, 
    • Art History, 
    • Arts, 
    • Celebrity, 
    • Children's, 
    • Cinema/Film, 
    • Clubbing, 
    • Comedy, 
    • Community, 
    • Consumer Affairs, 
    • Corporate Films, 
    • Crime, 
    • Current Affairs, 
    • Digi Beta, 
    • Drama, 
    • Ecology, 
    • Education, 
    • Environment, 
    • Ethnic, 
    • Fashion, 
    • Final Cut Pro, 
    • Gay & Lesbian, 
    • Geography, 
    • High-Definition, 
    • History, 
    • Human Rights, 
    • International Affairs, 
    • Journalism, 
    • Languages, 
    • Latin America, 
    • Literature, 
    • Location Filming, 
    • Middle East, 
    • Music, 
    • New Media, 
    • News & Current Affairs, 
    • Outside Broadcast, 
    • Paranormal, 
    • People Finding, 
    • Period Drama, 
    • Philosophy, 
    • Photography, 
    • Police, 
    • Politics, 
    • Popular Culture, 
    • Programme Development, 
    • Psychology, 
    • Religion, 
    • Rights Acquisition, 
    • Sex Industry, 
    • Sexuality, 
    • Shopping, 
    • Social Issues, 
    • Sociology, 
    • South East Asia, 
    • Theatre, 
    • Tourism, 
    • Travel, 
    • Undercover Investigation, 
    • Wildlife, 
    • Womens Issues, 
    • Writing, 
    • Youth Culture

    Languages

    • Italian, 
    • Spanish

    Permits

    • EU

    Licenses

    • Basic Driving (PLG), 
    • ING Powerboat
    Read More...
    ;