Versatile TV Production Manager with Field Ops Expertise
Resume:
SAM LUCCHESE
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TELEVISION PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Experienced Unit Production Manager (UPM) with extensive background in hiring, training, payroll, onboarding, permitting stunts, SFX, home renovation, survival, and special event productions. Proven ability to manage budgets, logistics, crews, and high-profile talent for a diverse range of clients. Strong expertise filming tough locations, scheduling, and safety. UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER HIGH NOON ENTERTAINMENT
Feb 2020 – May 2024
~ Good Bones (Seasons 5 - 9, HGTV) – Managed TV production of 50 home renovations for a reality show filmed in Indianapolis. Every property needed a filming permit corresponding with the build permits. Handled hiring, payroll for all 3 shows shooting simultaneously.
~ Better Yards (HGTV) – Oversaw production on this build-focused series, managed neighborhood relations and all city permits.
~ Risky Business (HGTV) – Managed crew, vendors, hot costs for this home improvement show while maintaining friendly communication with local businesses and home owners. UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER HIGH NOON ENTERTAINMENT
June 2015 – 2018
~ Good Bones (Seasons 1 - 3, HGTV) – Led my production team for the early seasons of the hit series, overseeing TV production for 40 home builds while establishing a solid staff. UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER HIGH NOON ENTERTAINMENT
June 2019 – Jan 2020
~ Southern Survival (Netflix) – Managed logistics for the survival reality series filmed in Georgia and Alabama, including large explosions and stunt coordination approved through City of Statesboro Attorney General and Mayor.
UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER BLACKFIN ENTERTAINMENT
March 2019 – June 2019
~ Battle of the 80s Supercars (History Channel) – Produced a 2-hour special featuring David Hasselhoff and Eric Estrada, permitting complex car stunts with David Hasselhoff firing live AK-47 rounds at a bullet proof vehicle supervised by ISS Props. SAM LUCCHESE
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UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER FIRECRACKER FILMS
Dec 2014 – May 2015
~ Gypsy Sisters (Season 4, TLC) – Managed production for this show, including shoots in Washington D.C. where I permited a double decker bus tour from White House to Lincoln Memorial thru Secret Service, National Park Service, Film Commission, and D.C. police. UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER HIGH NOON ENTERTAINMENT
May 2014 – Oct 2014
~ Branson Taxi (Reelz Network) – Oversaw production in Branson, MO., working with local jurisdictions to navigate a complex theater approval process. UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER BISCHOFF/HERVEY ENTERTAINMENT Jan 2014 – April 2014
~ I Heart Nick Carter (VH1) – Managed reality series across Malibu, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and a high-profile wedding in Santa Barbara, while maintaining 4 different permits. PRODUCTION MANAGER VARIOUS COMPANIES
2011 – 2013
~ Northern Composure (Intuitive Entertainment, Bio Channel) – Managed pilot production in Juneau, Alaska during harsh weather deep in nature.
~ The Devils Ride (Discovery Channel) – Oversaw three seasons of a reality series centered on biker culture in San Diego, training staff, and interfacing daily with CHP, San Diego Police, and Southern California permit office for extreme helicopter follow shots.
~ The Catalina (CW) – Managed reality pilot set in Miami’s South Beach and Little Havana, while handling the local South Beach businesses and expensive parking permits.
~ Bear Swamp Repo (TruTV) – Led complicated repo scenes across the New Jersey. NOTABLE PROJECTS
~ Out of the Wild (Discovery Channel, 2008) – Managed survival reality filming in Alaska’s Denali region overseeing an office in Talkeetna and a base camp on the mountain.
~ ElimiDate (Telepictures/AOL-Time Warner, 2001 - 2006) – Managed 150 episodes of the syndicated dating show filmed across 21 states.
~ Unsolved Mysteries (NBC, 1989 - 1998) – Produced from season 2 to 7, working with NBC to create the iconic Robert Stack wraparounds, then became the Unsolved stunt producer. SAM LUCCHESE
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MORE NOTABLE PROJECTS
~ Celebrity Sex Tales (Playboy - 2011) - Supervised reality series filmed in Los Angeles at iconic locations with appearances by Cheech and Chong, Corey Feldman, and John Salley.
~ Running Wild With Ted Nugent (CMT 2009) - Hired, trained, paid new crew and staff working in China Springs, TX while setting up 24/7 shuttles from Baylor housing in Waco.
~ Last Chance Detectives (Focus On Family 1995) - Line Producer for 2 independent films shot simultaneously in Los Angeles and Kingman, Arizona, budgeted at $3 million. EDUCATION
University of Pittsburgh – Civil Engineering & Graduate Coursework in Transportation SKILLS & EXPERTISE
• Budgeting & Cost Control
• Logistics & Scheduling
• Crew & Talent Management
• Stunts & SFX Coordination
• Location Scouting & Permitting
• Reality & Documentary Production
• Vendor & Equipment Coordination
• Contract Negotiation
• Hiring, training, and onboarding new talent
References available upon request.
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