Helaina Buzzeo | Production + Locations

WHO I AM

I am a passionate, creative, multi-disciplinary producer who locates, manages, and leads internal and external global teams across all initiatives, with years of experience collaborating with advertising agencies, branding firms, production companies, artist representatives and renowned photographers and directors. I bring a unique expertise in production and post production in stills, motion, social and digital content, with a focus on the beauty, fashion, and luxury brand space.

I’m an exceptional mentor, communicator, collaborator, negotiator, relationship builder and art lover. I am currently looking to partner with teams to execute their vision in any or all aspects of production: bidding/estimate building, location research, staffing/resourcing, line producing, on-set production and post production to delivery. I look forward to working with you!

WHAT I DO

Range of Clients: Shiseido; Clé de Peau Beauté, M.A.C., L'Oreal Paris, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Coty, Revlon, A.P.C., Celine, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Natural Diamond Council, John Hardy, Estee Lauder, CoverGirl, Clairol, Olay, Pantene, LVMH/DFS, Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Banana Republic, Target, Mejuri, Nike, Jimmy Choo, Living proof and Walmart.
Range of Editorials: Vogue, Italian Vogue, French Vogue, V, Vanity Fair, LOVE Magazine and W.

Expertise and specialize in managing stills, motion, TVC, 360 campaigns, social, digital content from initial concept development through to delivering post production.
Running crew payroll through outside Payroll Companies (familiar with all payroll fees.)
Location research, scout and management.
Manage budgets (6MM+) allocated across all executions, estimating/bidding through to final billing.
Built, managed and mentored departments of producers, coordinators, post producers, freelancers and contractors.
Crew Sourcing and management; maintain relationships with global talent, production partners, agents, art directors, photographers, directors, DP's, 1st AD's, casting directors, illustrators, hair, make-up and wardrobe stylists, set designers, manicurists, music supervisors, post production houses, CGI houses, studios and catering - good food is important!
Celebrity and talent casting and procurement (day rates to long form contracts).
Art buying.
Line Producing.
On set management.
Scheduling/managing post production phases (from edit, color, retouch, VO records through to final deliverables).
Generate revenue through production.
Reduce production costs by 30% by negotiating fees while ensuring the highest level of deliverables.
Wrapping full productions to final billing.
Forecast seasonal budgets and profit and track/manage P&L.
Partner with Legal and Compliance to arrange for clearances of contracts, licensing agreements and personal conduct policies.
Implemented new processes and procedures to create smooth workflow for both production department as well as affiliating departments ensuring company and client goals are met on time and within budget.
Work towards departmental and company OKR & KPI's.
AICP Post - Fashion Category Judge.

WHERE I'VE BEEN

Freelance Executive Producer

FREELANCE | July, 2023 - Present

Dept/Bet MGM, Living proof, A Creative Partner, Velem/MAC, Jane Smith Agency/Future Society, Ogilvy/L'Oreal, Ann Taylor, Align Productions/Spanx, Golden Projects/Citizen, Dept. Agency, Camp Productions/Bloomingdales, Air Productions/Macy's, Sylvain/Brandon Maxwell collab w/ Walmart...

Head of Production

SPLASHLIGHT | New York, NY | March, 2022 - June, 2023

Brands: Target, David Yurman, Mejuri, Nike, Maurices, Eileen Fisher, James Allen, Brilliant Earth and AWAY.
A visual content partner providing strategy, creative direction, and production of photography, video and post production services. Elevated eCommerce, editorial, catalog, marketing, advertising and social content.

• Managed a team of Producers and freelancers.

• Oversaw studio and calendar for all Client productions.

• Built and evolved inter-departmental processes and procedures, guides, standards and templates.

• Managed budgets for existing or in-coming new clients and RFP's.

• Implemented OKR's and KPI's to generate high productivity, achieving the highest form of creative for the value.

• Tracked all versions of data behind the production to help improve upon productivity, utilization and profitability.

Freelance Executive Producer

FREELANCE | October 2021 - March 2022

Velem/Steve Madden, Wunderman Thompson/Wella/Clairol + Unilever/Suave, Wednesday/Coterie + Clé de Peau Beauté, Tombras/Edible...

Head of Production, Executive Producer

JANE SMITH AGENCY| New York, NY & Los Angeles, CA | November, 2017 - October, 2021

Clients: Shiseido; Clé de Peau Beauté, Natural Diamond Council, Prabal Gurung and Patrick Ta Beauty.
Photographers/Directors/DP's: Mario Sorrenti, Mikael Jansson, Inez + Vinoodh, Camilla Akrans, Manu Cosu, Darius Khondji, Gordon Von Steiner, Stephen Kidd, Tristan Sheridan, Mario Godlewski and Peter Szollosi.

Freelance Executive Producer

FREELANCE | New York, NY & Los Angeles, CA. | June, 2017 – October, 2017

McCann WordGroup | Various accounts – August, 2017 - October, 2017
Jane Smith Agency | Shiseido; Clé de Peau Beauté – May, 2017 - July, 2017

Head of Production, Executive Producer

SELECT WORLD | New York, NY | March, 2015 – June, 2017

Clients: Coty; Davidoff, Joop, Artistry, St. John, Nine West, Nirav Modi, Fekkai, Dr. Brandt, Seiko, Bond No. 9, Boghossian, Napapjiri and Symrise.
Photographers/Directors: Peter Lindbergh, Nathaniel Goldberg, Camilla Akrans, Javier Vallhonrat, Boo George, Theo Wenner, Sharif Hamza, Gregory Harris, Benjamin Lenox, Mario Godlewski, Theo Stanley and Peter Szollosi.

Head of Production, Executive Producer

AR NEW YORK | New York, NY | May, 2011 – March, 2015

Clients: Revlon, Almay, Banana Republic, LVMH/DFS, smartwater, h.stern, John Hardy, Jimmy Choo, Lands' End, Cotton and Brioni.
Photographers/Directors: Craig McDean, Steven Klein, Patrick Demarchelier, Michael Thompson, Daniel Jackson, Tom Munro, Mikael Jansson, Terry Richardson, Angelo Pennetta, Josh Olins, Boo George, Norman Jean Roy, Carter Smith, Santiago & Mauricio, Tristan Sheridan, John Cameron Mitchell, Theo Stanley, Shane Sigler and Alek Keshishian.

Director, Talent Procurement, Beauty Division

PLATINUM RYE ENTERTAINMENT | New York, NY | June, 2009 - May, 2011

Brands: Global P&G; Aussie, Braun, Clairol, Dolce & Gabbana, D&G, Dunhill, Frederik Fekkai, Gucci, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Hugo Boss, Max Factor, Olay, CoverGirl, Pantene and Sebastian.

• Celebrity, model and expert talent recommendations, negotiations and procurement (basic rates to long form contracts) endorsements (advertising, PR, appearances, social engagements, influencers, etc.) for Advertising agencies and Public Relations firms.

• Maintained knowledge of all talent appropriate for client endorsements as well as fees associated to talent.

Executive Producer

BRUCE WEBER, LITTLE BEAR PRODUCTIONS | New York, Miami & Montauk | October, 2007 – May, 2009

Brands + Editorial: Abercrombie & Fitch, A.P.C., Calvin Klein, Cartier, Celine, Estee Lauder, Ralph Lauren, American Vogue, Italian Vogue, L’Uomo Vogue, Teen Vogue, Arena Magazine, LOVE Magazine, V Magazine, Vanity Fair Magazine and W Magazine.

• Produced, managed and coordinated all advertising, editorial, TVC, book projects and personal projects for Bruce Weber.

• Location scouted (locaton research, scouting, negotiations, permitting and local resourcing.)

• Oversaw a team of producers, PC's PA's, Talent and Styling teams, up to 150+ crew/talent on location for over a month for productions.

• Scheduling, estimating and budgeting for all shoots.

• Arranged for props, animals, equipment and studio rentals, transportation vehicles, local accommodations and catering.

• Arranged for all travel accommodations and transportation.

VP, Senior Art Buyer

MCCANN ERICKSON | New York, NY | March, 1997 - October, 2007

Clients: L’Oreal Paris; Cosmetics, Skin and Hair
Photographers: Inez & Vinoodh, David LaChapelle, Steven Klein, Michael Thompson and Kenneth Willardt.

helaina.buzzeo@gmail.com | + 1 917 805 8170