Where are you working at the moment?
I am participating in the Battlefield, a performance of a national joint organization covering the “battlefield” of the 2024 election and its consequences.
I recently completed the 1,000th episode of TV!
I’ve spanned different genres and styles, but so far my major is usually conversation or variety shows, especially political performances. The media can change perspectives and change the world; it is a privilege to reveal the performance of social justice issues.
For example, I worked on a TV special about systemic racism and crossover executives produced by LeBron James. I’ve worked for the unparalleled Ava Duvernay. Also, as editor/producer of the Carlos Watson Show, I researched and performed in-depth research on many others, including Pete Buttigieg, Anita Hill, Debbie Allen, and many others.
I did a lot of political comedy like The Daily Show and The Night Show. Sometimes I linger in pure stupid comedy (no political inclination), like “The Greatest Ever” on TRUTV or “Grown & Sexy” on VH1.
I also have random jobs in other genres, such as I am the post-coordinator for Project Runway: Threads. A nominated Emmy editor even took me to the Emmy with them!
I’m lucky to find great jobs, work with cool people and help create meaningful media. I look forward to seeing the achievements of the next thousand episodes.
I’m not just pictures or sounds, but I edit content a lot – bringing the show to time in a meaningful way and leaving nothing important on the floor of the cutting room.
I also performed more traditional editing tasks like finding creative ways to mask tingling cuts, making slight color adjustments, picking different camera angles, refining pace, smoothing audio, and more. As an editor/producer, I have done research, cleaned up archive clips with the legal department, dubbing written and recorded voiceovers, and even done a lot of planning and execution in the field (I am not biased towards Post Prof,).
How did you become interested in this work in the first place?
I am such a wide-eyed, exciting kid who is deeply experienced in the media I have seen, adored stories, wonders and hearts. I believe stories have the power to change the world – to change people, and I think it is a beautiful thing with my life. Since grade 8, I have been focusing almost on art. As for specializing in editing/production, I think I explored a path that showed me my way as I worked hard throughout the industry, and I’m still exploring it.
Who gives you your first rest time?
It depends on how you define your first break. I had many moments that were important at the time. Elyse is a senior producer of “Talent in America” who saw my dedication and attracted productions to turn my initial two-day show into a season-long show (most importantly, I secured a job in Los Angeles, not just one of their outdoor auditions). That was my feet on the door, and it was my first job on TV. (And it’s hard to get your first job, especially in Los Angeles.)
Not long after, Graciela thanked me for my work ethics as a PA, starting my first step from PA to assisting the story team. Kelly gave me the opportunity to become an assistant editor for the first time because she believed in my “driving and thrilling.”
Tonya saw the potential for my creativity and motivation to promote me to my first actual editorial job. Surprisingly, at almost every turn, a woman reached out from the rungs above to pull me up (especially when I have a lot more gigs than men at the vast majority of the time).
What was your first union job?
“Life Flying” Lifetime program tells the story of the first responder who rescued people from dangerous situations through a helicopter. I think only six episodes aired because there was a staffing change on the network and newcomers put our show on hold, but we’ve worked hard to join the league.
What credits or programs are you most proud of and why?
Put it down, “The night show with Larry Wilmore.” Working on that show was a dream come true. Everything that starts with something big drama – working with a wonderful, fun, diverse staff (with multiple female editors, for a rare sight in most of my career), and more importantly, it is important to work on this meaningful, meaningful material, not to mention a girl who can ask for the best boss (ES) – small things that can always be asked for, such as great hours, such as great hours, endless dining, high entertainment in the bathroom, easy fairness in the bathroom, bathrooms are very reasonable, and bathrooms are amazing.
Also, since I would tell a story of a favorite with any excuse: On the last day, I will send the card to everyone who has the staff. When I went to Jon Stewart (executive producer of the show), I looked at him crying and told him, “You don’t need me all this because you’ll see it in the cards, but you’ve changed my whole life. I dreamed of working for you in a political show, in a good political show, that kindly fits the world into the world, and I’ve made a lot of effort for us. So, thank you so much for changing my life.” He looked at me and said, “Thank you, Aurora, but not. You changed your life. Everyone in this building is here because they’re the best people they’ve done, and that includes you. It’s your talent, your creativity, your tenacity has changed your life. It’s not me.”
What is your biggest challenge at work (or in a specific project)? How did you overcome/solve?
I say in a more personal and tangible way that the biggest challenge in any of my job is being in an abusive relationship. As I told myself, I could leave it at the door, or have little impact on me. Whether I’m distracted, experiencing emotional changes, or getting hurt, and a tremendous stress, suffocating health issues, it affects the work I work with. Shockingly, a relationship that a person is inadvertently damaged by domestic violence is easy, and the consequences are longer and far-reaching than I thought.
In a bigger way, my biggest challenge includes making ethical decisions about the work I have to do. The media can have a huge impact, so deciding whether the work I might do will allow me to look in the mirror every morning can sometimes prove challenging. Sometimes I find a job because I need money or there are other reasons, but I want to know: is this consistent with the world I want to invest in? Examples are reality shows I might feel like, which is unfair or over-manipulated, how we are pushed and then portray the contestants. As I grew up, I tried to become smarter about the work I was doing and the boundaries of things that I felt comfortable with. But even then, sometimes you have to find a job and just find something that will lead you to reject it later. Then, you may have potential sticky situations. Navigating a career can be a minefield and I am trying to implement the course and grow as much as I can.
What is the most interesting thing in your work?
It’s hard to say when there’s a lot of fun. A beautiful memory is when I dance with the starstransparent And tell Marilu Henner that my dad is a big fan. She said sweetly, “Take out your phone!” She called my father and they had a cute chat.
Jobwise, what do you want to do in five years from now?
What are your external activities, hobbies, passions?
I am a certified rescue diver. I love traveling and I dream of diving with my favorite animal visitors!
Also, I love running. I’ve completed over 100 half marathons, several marathons and some Ultras. I’m very happy to be in the New York City Marathon this November. I have also completed some long-term charitable running programs, such as 52 half marathons within 52 weeks after open heart surgery, while raising funds for the impact of Broadway.
I like “big patients”. During college, I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I had several procedures that ended up having a happy surgery for a congenital heart defect that I didn’t know until then. I feel like this movie nails the complexity of going through a rare, unexpected disease.
Favorite TV show? Why?
It’s hard to choose because I Love TV. Of course, the “Simpsons” is one. I’ve been inspired by Lisa Simpson. I started playing saxophone in middle school because I think the passionate, perfectionist, huge Lisa Simpson is definitely the coolest. (Another one of the million media examples of the decisions that influence people, which could have a really wide impact on their lives. I ended up playing saxophone through high school and through Berkeley Conservatory.)
One of my career wishes is to have a teeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiny marker before the show is played (I hope it isn’t for decades to come), and I’d love to have a teeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiny marker on it – like writing a song for them, or playing a saxophone licking, or playing a character even if she can only say one word.
I also like “Brooklyn Ninety Nine”. Aside from my fear that it might play “Copaganda”, it’s actually a perfect series: amazing rhythms, incredible actors, with phenomenon actors (Andy Samberg knocked me out, whole ensemble rock), laughing jokes, jokes, funny re-challenges, funny repetition, hists, hisists hissist, horse the Heist the Heart and Commed and Comedy and Commeedy and Perting pitter-Pertecle finale ander file finale finale finale finale finale finale finale finale finale feelingale. Mike Schur is a genius who does a great job (it’s my dream dinner guests’ first choice).
I’ve seen a lot of things since I was born. We can talk about shows from “Mary Taylor Moore” to “Hackers” and everything in between and beyond, but my words count ran over so let’s sometimes feel grateful in the cafe.
Do you have an industry mentor?
I’m still close to a boss I like and admire the “nightly” Tonya. I trust her guidance and advice with all my heart – plus, I love being her friend. I still play fantasy football with her every year!
Would you give advice from people interested in doing the job you are doing?
Follow the chance to feel right in your gut. Don’t fill your resume alive, and don’t worry about the look on paper or what you think of others – it’s easier said than done (oh my god, I know). Step right into the right things and as far as possible in your soul.
Has this ever happened when you had to rely on a guild for help or help?
I don’t remember all the details, but I’m working on the show. (Production took everyone away, even the post.) Some of my colleagues noticed issues about inadequacy. They emailed the guild, which jumped into action and stayed in touch with us throughout the rest of the show to make sure we got what we owe. It’s great to have such a fierce advocate. We don’t have to fight – just send emails and thriving, even if we’re far from home, on the road.
What do you want to say to your guild members and have any encouragement?
Compiled by David Bruskin.
