Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Williams.
Hi Dana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Whew! My journey into the television and entertainment industry was not an easy one however it was a triumphant one. Growing up on the south side of Chicago, I always had the admiration and personality to be either on the tv screen or behind it. My parents would always ignite my ambition to go after my dreams and give me the confidence to do so. Before I transition into the world of television, I worked in the radio industry for five years as a radio producer. After going for an internship at one of the most popular radio stations in Chicago called Power 92.3, I gathered the skill set to deal with talent and celebrities at an early age in my career that, back then, I didn’t know would serve a bigger purpose for me later on down the line. I eventually transitioned from radio to television by becoming an audience member at a very prominent court television show that filmed in Chicago. I was so adamant at getting a job in television I finessed my way to meet with the production manager of the show and gave him a copy of my resume, cover letter and business card and made sure to get his information as well.
After a year of persistence in 2015, I landed my first PA job for that same prominent court television show. I worked my butt off from the bottom on up and landed a promotion to an Associate Producer in only nine months of working there! I worked for this tv show for over three years before taking the leap of faith and moving to Atlanta, Georgia. I got offered a position as a Senior Associate Producer not to only work on one show but two very popular court shows here in Atlanta and began to really harness great producing skills in my profession. I later landed another job as a Segment Producer where I had the opportunity to produce my very own segments from start to finish. In 2020, I got my first opportunity to work as a Casting Associate Producer for a major talent show on Fox called Don’t Forget the lyrics, that opportunity than afforded me the chance to hop on a popular ABC game show called The Hustler. I have worked on almost every major tv network you can think of Warner Bros. ABC, NBC, FOX, Vh1, etc. I just wrapped up a project working on Steve Harvey’s new show Judge Steve Harvey on ABC and I am now working in the capacity as a Casting Producer for Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary’s new show on CNBC. I had several people doubt my capability to be able to make it in this industry, but I also had a few people rooting for me as well. I was told no, you’re not ready or to stay in my lane countless times, but my faith in myself never wavered!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
During the time I was breaking into this industry a lot of my superiors doubted my level of growth and capability. I remember when I was working as an Associate Producer, my producer at the time got so angry at me over the most minute thing at the time she actually uttered the words ‘you should quit.’ Honestly, I took that as motivation to just go harder to prove that I belonged in that spot and in this industry. What I’ve learned is that in this industry, It can really break you down, It can break your mentality, your spirit, your ambition and leave you doubting yourself if you allow It to. I’ve been told to my face by superiors that they didn’t think I would be successful or make It through, but that was nothing but pure fuel for me. I can honestly say no one gave me a thing! And, I worked from the bottom up to achieve some of the accolades that I have accomplished.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, working as a Casting Producer has been one exhilarating ride. I am literally a lifeline for some people to get an opportunity of a lifetime to be on TV. In the casting world there’s a wide range of characters, personalities and ethnicities that we look for. I’ve worked on a lot of game shows, which require quirky personalities, wittiness and just people that like to have fun. It gives me great joy to be able to make a person’s dreams come true and give them an opportunity to win life-changing money. Sometimes the people I connect with are literally on their last prayer and just need someone to believe in them similar to how I felt getting into this industry. Throughout my career, I have been recognized by the Daytime Emmy Awards, I’m a part of a very prestigious producers group called the Producers Guild of America and my latest accolade is I am a newly published author of my self-help book: I DARE YOU TO LOVE YOURSELF MORE, A Guide to Self Love and Positive Affirmations. After working in an industry that can sometimes tear down your spirit, I needed to create a positive reinforcement for myself and others like me. My self-help book allows you to look inward for the validation you may seek from others but will never receive. I’ve independently got my book into local Barnes & Noble stores and websites and it’s available on Amazon. I wholeheartedly feel like what sets me apart from the rest is I lead with pure intentions and a pure heart in this television game and I reap the benefits of just being a good person. I do not compromise my morals or my beliefs for no job and I just do the work!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I absolutely love networking with new people and they can follow me on Instagram @danamarie_thebrand and people can definitely purchase my self-help book: I DARE YOU TO LOVE YOURSELF MORE, A Guide to Self-love & Positive Affirmations on Amazon, Apple Books or at Barnes & Noble. They can also click the links below:
Pricing:
- 13.99
Contact Info:
- Email: dmwtvcasting@gmail.com
- Website: https://danamariethebrand.onuniverse.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danamarie_thebrand/?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dana.t.williams.7/
Image Credits
DANA WILLIAMS
MALACHI LEE
