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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)

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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

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