Vicki Dunakin: Producer/Director.

1) Can you briefly define your job to me?

As a producer Vicki helps with the origination of projects. This is the idea part of the project. She also plays a big role with the budget. She looks for grants and other sources of money to fund the project. Hiring the crew and mapping out the problems that may spring up throughout the project are also problems producers have to deal with. Legal aspects are also covered by Vicki such as contracts, insurance and releases. Vicki “actualizes the Directors vision.” As the producer on the set she is the “go to” person.

2) How did you get started in the business?

Vicki stared her career as an actor. She eventually became interested on what went on behind the camera. She began to volunteer on set doing whatever she could and got her first paying job behind the scenes taking script notes.

3) How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish and assigned task?


Just being honest is the first step and most important step to take according to Vicki. After you have addressed the problem it is important that you have a few possible solutions to the problem to pitch. You have to be “flexible like Gumby” says Vicki.

4) Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?

Do whatever you can to gain experience. Be hands on says Vicki, volunteer look for internships anything to get your name out there. You have to start on the bottom and work your way up. Always be looking to contribute on set even if it’s something like picking up around the set. You have to think ahead and keep things running smoothly. Be pleasant and you have to have smarts. Vicki says the most important thing is, “you have to let people know you’re interested even if it something as simple as a post card or email this will let people know you still want to work with them.”