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It was at an eatery in Los Angeles where Gina Deckard saw a flier for PromaxBDA’s Promo Pathway program. She applied, got in and after spending more than a year in the program, is now an assistant editor at GSN. After creating a set of promos for the program’s showcase, hiring managers were impressed.
Today, Deckard works on shows such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire for the game-focused cable network. Daily Brief contributor Kareem Taylor had a chance to chat with Deckard on how she learned of the Promo Pathway program, what tools she’s using to succeed and what advice she’d give to the new cohort.
To hear Deckard’s entire conversation with Taylor, check out the latest episode of The Daily Brief Podcast:
DAILY BRIEF: What do you do and what are you working on at GSN?
Deckard: The main thing I’m responsible for is the daily management of video projects, digital media and shared storage. I assist other departments with creating links, viewing links and pulling clips. For me, as an assistant editor, one of things I do is create promos — write and produce. I help out when it comes to re-tagging other projects for instance If we need to change a time or date, I’m also responsible for that. Last thing I worked on was a ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ spot.
Were you already editing before you jumped into Promo Pathway?
Prior, I was dabbling in editing. I learned editing firstly in college. I was a communications/journalism minor. We had to make journalism packages and so within that is where I learned how to edit. We had to shoot, writer and interview our subjects.
Where were you in 2015 when you considered going into Promo Pathway?
Before the program, I went to film school. When I went to film school, the ideas was to improve editing however when I went, the editing program was sliced. So I ended up doing sound. And so I was in the sound department for a while. I realized that’s not quite what I wanted to do. I started getting into the medical field, and it took a lot out of me. I realized that I really want to do the entertainment field. I remember seeing a flier at Simply Wholesome for PromaxBDA Promo Pathway program. It was one of those ‘aha’ moments. You’re editing, producing, writing, and the chance to intern at an entertainment network. The timing was just right.
What advice would you give someone who was in your shoes?
Qualities that really helped was to be very aware of the software and know the material you’re working with. You want to be able to know how to maneuver Premiere, Final Cut, Avid, and continue learning shortcuts — all the things that make you move faster. It’s important to be a good communicator, be someone who can clearly articulate their vision. It’s important to take criticism well, because you’re going to have to make changes — being able to not be married to your work.
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