Managed COVID safety and production logistics for MTV’s TikTok-powered music competition series.
Becoming a Popstar is an MTV music competition series created with TikTok and Pepsi and judged by Joe Jonas and Becky G, in which TikTok musicians compete for a shot at a recording deal. As COVID-19 Production Manager, I managed budget and asset tracking, served as the main point of contact for vendors and cast and crew travel, and led COVID safety operations, coordinating testing schedules, PPE, and safety protocols, while keeping the production on track through last-minute changes.
Behind the Scenes
Where were you?
Los Angeles, California
What’s the moment things went sideways?
Live vocal performances meant we could not have contestants singing in masks, so our team had to build extra testing and distancing protocols specifically around performance and rehearsal time instead of just set safety.
A crew or cast story that still gets told
This crew found ways to stay close and support each other through a project that had its share of challenges. That kind of camaraderie is something I still carry with me.
What would a viewer never guess?
How much extra planning went into keeping a singing competition safe during the pandemic. Vocal performance is one of the higher risk activities for spreading illness, so our testing and safety protocols around rehearsals and performances were even tighter than on our other shows.
What were you actually running day to day?
I worked with our COVID team to schedule testing around rehearsal and performance blocks, made sure the stage and vocal booths met CDC guidelines, and stayed in communication with the production team about any changes to the day’s schedule.
What are you proudest of on this one?
Helping keep a live singing competition safe during a time when performing indoors carried real risk was something I took seriously, and I am proud of how our team balanced safety with keeping the show’s energy and performances strong.