Becoming a Commercial Producer (and why there's no roadmap)

When I first started in the film business, I was on-camera talent - an actor and TV host. But the more time I spent on set, the more I found myself paying close attention to the producer

and first AD. I was fascinated by the mechanics of running a set, the coordination, the problem-solving. I wanted to be in charge of all of it (yes, I know the 1st-AD is actually in charge lol)

Finding Where I Belonged

To get there, I started training in every position at the studio, camera operator, teleprompter operator, control room, editor, first AD - until I eventually became a producer. At the time, I didn't realize I was cross-training. I was just trying to figure out where I belonged. Turns out, I belonged in the role that required understanding all of those other positions.

I'm not saying you need to work every single job to become a good producer. But for me, that

accidental deep dive gave me something priceless: I understood each department's thinking, their constraints, and how to set them up for success.

Making the switch from TV show producer to commercial producer was a change, but the mechanics were the same. Then came the shift from commercial producer to agency producer—similar in some ways, but more challenging. And ultimately, more rewarding.

Protecting the Creative

When I started working with agencies, everything made sense. I manage the creative process from inception to completion. As a broadcast producer, I was only brought in once the

creative was locked and ready to shoot - which is still fun work, but my heart is with managing and protecting the creative process. That's what I was meant to do, in one way, shape, or form.

I was always in awe whenever the agency creatives came to set. They dreamed this up -we were all there because they sold a vision to the client (and someone signed the check). Obviously, it takes a village, and part of that village is executing and protecting that creative vision (producers' work). Perhaps that protective instinct stems from being the oldest of five kids (all girls) or a genuine love for the arts. Either way or both, it's in my bones. I continued to hone my craft, expanding beyond Florida and working on campaigns nationwide as a broadcast producer. It was exciting, but I still wanted more.

The Problem: No Roadmap

Here's the thing: I was already producing commercials by this point, working on campaigns nationwide. But I kept hitting the same question: where do I go from here? There aren't many

resources for learning how to level up as a commercial producer. Unlike film and TV, where

there are clear paths, programs, and mentorship structures, but what about the commercial side? There's not much. I had figured it out the hard way, in a man's world, and I'm grateful for those experiences. But when I wanted to see what the next level looked like, I felt stuck.

I had started directing local commercials and testimonials on the side, which excited me, but again, I had no clear sense of where that could lead.

One Solution: Mentorship

That's when I discovered a podcast called Respect the Process, hosted by commercial

Director Jordan Brady. Jordan held NOTHING back on his podcast, and he interviewed other commercial professionals, including directors, producers, creatives, and more, so I was learning from their experiences too. I could follow their careers, see what paths they'd taken, and understand what was possible at different levels. While I was initially interested in expanding my directing skills, I was inadvertently learning to level up as a commercial producer through this exposure, so I joined the Commercial Directing Film School (CDFS) Family:

• Next, I took the CDFS online masterclass. Eye-opening.

• Then I attended  Commercial Directing Bootcamp. In person and game-changing.

• And finally, I went to a Commercial Directing Retreat in Joshua Tree!

The retreat was the culmination of everything - I knew in my soul where I was capable of going. I didn't know exactly how to get there, but I could finally see the path. Jordan's mentorship and the community he built around the podcast and bootcamp showed me what was possible at the highest levels with people who understood the commercial world and didn't gate-keep the knowledge.

What I Learned

Looking back, my path wasn't linear. Actor to broadcast producer to agency producer to director (briefly) back to agency producer - and a bunch of lifetimes in between (adhd brain, am I right). But every detour showed me something essential:

• My accidental cross-training gave me fluency. Understanding the roles of camera, editorial, and directing made me a better producer because I could anticipate what each department needed. You don't have to do what I did but finding ways to understand the other roles on set will make you better at yours.

• Protecting the creative is the job. Not just executing logistics, protecting the vision that brought everyone together in the first place.

• Mentorship matters. Finding someone like Jordan who was willing to share knowledge openly changed my outlook entirely..

• There's no one right path. Especially in commercial production, where there's no roadmap. You build your own and own it.

Over the past few years, I've had a few mentors who, at one point, changed the trajectory of my career when I was at a crossroads - it's important to hold on to those people and always return the favor or pay it forward.

What's Next

I am still learning and growing every day. If you're trying to figure out how to become a commercial producer, know this: your path won't look like mine or anyone else's in the industry, and that's okay. Take every opportunity to learn what you can, find mentors who inspire you, and trust that the detours are teaching you something essential.

You'll find where you belong.

I am always happy to share (non-NDA-protected) trade secrets! Holler at me - I'd love to hear from you!