SARAH KOTZMAN
Producer • Traveler • Host • Editor • Writer • Photographer
Adventure & Travel TV I live it. I make it.
Field + Post Supervising Producer
3x Emmy Winner • 4x Emmy Nominated
Supervising Producer
Mutual of Omaha's WILD KINGDOM | Hearst Media for NBC
Development + Field + Post. Relaunched an American natural history classic! Worked heavily with gov't agencies & scientists. Educational & Informational (E/I) kids' show. Hosted with wild animals.
(2023) Season 1, 14 episodes
7 TOUGHEST DAYS | Nutopia for National Geographic
(2022) Season 1 in production
THE GREAT TRADE RACE | Fox Alternatives for FOX
Field + Post. Managed story for a Team Competition Series focused on fast-paced business, strategy and alliances in a race around the country.
(2022) Pilot
NAKED & AFRAID XL: FROZEN | Renegade 83 for Discovery
(2022) Season 1: Montana, 6 episodes. Field + Post.
CHEF VS. WILD | ITV/Leftfield for Hulu
Field. Directed cast & crew. Primitive survival Docu-follow combined with a large scale kitchen set competition. Focused story on food as a character, recipe process, cast rivalries, sense of urgency.
(2021), Season 1: British Columbia, 8 episodes
WORLD'S MOST AMAZING VACATION RENTALS | Critical Content for NETFLIX
Managed crew & hosts in 48 int’l & domestic locations. Creative: wrote & directed scenes. Logistics: scouts, trade-outs, schedules, field notes, hot sheets, edit outlines.
(2020) Seasons 1-2, 15 episodes
NAKED & AFRAID | Renegade 83 for Discovery
Field + Post. Directed cast & crew. Docu-follow in harsh environments: jungles, oceans, deserts. Defined story beats. Condensed 21 days into a 1-hr episode.
(2019) Season 6: South Africa, Bahamas, 2 episodes
NAKED & AFRAID OF LOVE | Renegade 83 for Discovery+
Field + Post. Crafted series arc over ten episodes, all in edit simultaneously.
(2021), Season 1: Philippines, 10 episodes
NAKED & AFRAID XL: VALLEY OF THE BANISHED | Renegade 83 for Discovery
(2019), Season 6: South Africa, 11 episodes
NAKED & AFRAID XL: PHILIPPINES | Renegade 83 for Discovery
(2018), Season 5: Philippines, 10 episodes. Field + Post AP.
Editor
STUDIO CITY PRODUCTIONS | various: Disney, ABC, Telepictures
ELLEN DEGENERES, DR. OZ, STEVE HARVEY, THE TALK
THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Sizzles, promos, marketing materials, social media content
(2012-2019)
NEW WAVE ENTERTAINMENT for Disney
The FABLIFE
Show opens, promos, marketing materials, social media content
(2015-2016)
Journalist
CBS 19 WOIO
Field + Post. Wrote, shot & edited Feature News, True Crime, Specialty Sweeps Segments, Commercials, and Marketing Content as a Senior Journalist and Preditor.
(2007-2011)
Camera Op, Documentary | Nowita Films
Magnificent Burden
B-Cam for a fast paced on-location ski shoot in Utah + Broll + Interviews
(2015)
Tour Manager, Host | Trafalgar Travel
Sole leader & guide for groups of 52 people on 8-14 day road trips. 24/7 prep & on location. Coordinated all logistics & finances. Created exciting narratives for all destinations. Entertained a wide variety of personalities & ages. Adapted to changes & emergencies.
(2017)
Special Effects Pyrotechnical Op | POV FX
Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Imbroglio, Lt Dan Band
Licensed by The State of California Fire Marshal, 3rd Class. Assisted Special Effects Supervisor in various practical effects on set for film, TV, and concerts including fireworks, squibs, fire bars, hydraulic vehicle flips, and fight gags.
(2016 - 2017)
Art Director | Exposed Communications
Designed corporate image, print & web advertisements, social media campaigns, event promotions, & logos for companies nationwide • Delivered effective visual communication for varying target audiences. Clients included Clear Channel, Soffer Organization, Hollywood Weekly, Hospitality Asset Management Company, Steel City Media, etc.
(2007 - 2011)
Photography Editor | Panther Prints
Responsible for photographing all images & captions of a 125-page university publication including sporting, academic & leisure events • Professionally directed large, diverse groups of people.
(2005 - 2006)
Writer/Photographer | Pittsburgh Metropolitan Magazine, Whirl Magazine
Extensively manipulated images & created clipping paths for final magazine layouts • Successfully met tight deadlines • Pitched & wrote articles and cover stories. • Photographed fine cuisine
(2005)
Digital Image Editor | Photographs by Julie
Edited proof & final images, which included airbrushing, head swaps, composites & color adjustments.
(2003 - 2004)
sarahkotzman@gmail.com
Los Angeles, CA
SKILLS
FIELD & POST
WRITING: Edit Outlines, Hot Sheets, Field Notes, Pitch Decks, VO, Scripts
SOFTWARE: Avid, Premier, Multicam, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, remote work on Google Drive & Slack
GEAR: Shooter/Producer on Panasonic LUMIX S1H, Sony NX70u, Canon XA40
AWARDS
DAYTIME EMMYS
NOMINATED:
2015, Outstanding Announcement
LGT EMMYS
WINNER:
2011, Editor
2010, News Investigation Spot
2008, Arts/Entertainment Special NOMINATED:
2009, On-Air Talent
2008 & 2009, Editor
FUN FACTS
PA ➸ OH ➸ CA
I value strong coffee and adventure.
• Wilderness Backpacker
• Rock Climber
• Former Vacation Tour Manager
• Former Pyro-technician
• Aerial Circus Artist in Training
EDUCATION
BA: ENGLISH WRITING CONCENTRATION: PHOTOGRAPHY University of Pittsburgh, 2006
DIPLOMA: GRAPHIC DESIGN
Art Institute of Pittsburgh, 2006
CERT: INT’L TOUR MANAGEMENT
International Guide Academy, 2017