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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

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With an award-winning background in production at Saturday Night Live and PBS, Story Safford specializes in research & development for documentaries, film, TV, podcasts, digital products & content:

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  • Mixed methods research and investigation

  • Proposal writing and strategy, story producer

  • Sales and creative treatments, pitch presentations

  • Coordinate & conduct interviews

  • Perform and record voice over and narration

  • Contract, vendor, partner and platform management

  • Adobe Creative Suite

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Case Study

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was already a hit, however, research showed that many found it too dark to be funny, creating obstacles to building new audiences.

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Research identified key themes to make Kimmy more relatable and likable, amplifying her innate optimism into something not to be mocked, but to make life better.

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The objective was to maintain Kimmy's voice and honor her spirit, reminding core fans why they loved Kimmy while appealing to a new audience.

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Role: VP Strategy

Stakeholder interviews, desktop and syndicated research, brand strategy, field research, story development.

 

Award: Clio Bronze

My very first day on the job at Saturday Night Live on a short film, Proud Dad, starring Robin Williams.

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Research, source props, coordinate and manage casting.

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Directed by Hart Perry and written by Gary Giddins for PBS's American Masters, John Hammond: From Bessie Smith to Bruce Springsteen celebrates the life and legacy of the man who literally discovered and nurtured what would become the sound of the 20th century.

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Desktop and field research, proposals, sales and licensing, pitch presentations, on camera interviews.

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Award: Peabody, Documentary Filmmaking

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