Available to hire
RJ Dawson is a Directing Alumnus of the American Film Institute Conservatory. His early work gained him the Stanley Kamen Endowed Scholarship and the Richard P. Rogers Spirit of Excellence Award. Dawson is best know for multi-award winning thesis film, Gummi Bear, now playing on AMC’s AllBlk streaming service. RJ’s focus is to approach stories with patience, craft, and heart. His desire is to speak to the universal human experience through under-explored and unique perspectives.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner
Japanese
Beginner
Work Experience
Production Manager, General Manager at Wolf TV (University Production Network)
January 1, 2011 - October 5, 2025Responsible for content management and creation for university television station. Created, organized, and distributed graphics, footage, reports and purchases. Supervised a staff of 50.
Assistant Director at Various productions
January 1, 2016 - October 5, 2025Worked with the director and producers to coordinate and supervise production operations during pre-production and principal photography. Ensured the implementation and compliance with safety protocols and set policies. Managed production timelines and deadlines.
Producer-Editor at PBS
January 1, 2018 - October 5, 2025Responsible for managing the production process and overseeing the entire production process, from initial concept to final delivery. Ensured production adhered to project budget, managed timelines and deadlines.
Story Editor at Real Kids of Hollywood (TV Series)
January 1, 2021 - October 5, 2025Part of the development of this series; set goals with the team, provide feedback, and turn around drafts; responsible for story development and casting input.
Production Manager, General Manager at Wolf TV (University Production Network)
January 1, 2011 - October 5, 2025Responsible for content management and creation for university television station. Created, organized and distributed graphics, footage, reports and purchases. Coordinated with clients and businesses about advertising and sponsorship. Supervised a staff of 50 team members.
Assistant Manager at AMC Theatres
January 1, 2018 - October 5, 2025Liaised with departments and business partners; supervised operations and staff to maintain service standards and efficiency.
Producer-Editor at PBS
January 1, 2018 - October 5, 2025Managed the production process and oversaw the entire production lifecycle from concept to final delivery, ensuring budget adherence, timeline management, and meeting deadlines; collaborative coordination with the team.
Story Editor at Real Kids of Hollywood (TV Series)
January 1, 2021 - October 5, 2025Part of development of the series; set goals for the team, provided guidance to other writers, and gave feedback. Contributed input on the story and casting; responsible for turning around drafts.
Instructor at Latin Film Institute: Youth Cinema Project
January 1, 2022 - October 5, 2025Instructed and mentored youth in filmmaking; designed lesson plans and guided project development.
Actor at Gucci, Google, Nike, Time, Geico, Winning Time, Rap Shit
January 1, 2022 - PresentOn-camera roles across brands and productions for commercials and TV/streaming projects.
Producer-Editor at PBS
January 1, 2018 - October 5, 2025Responsible for managing the production process and overseeing the entire production, from initial concept to final delivery. Ensured adherence to budget, managed timeline and deadlines, and collaborated with the full team to communicate information and ensure impactful final edit.
Story Editor at Real Kids of Hollywood
January 1, 2021 - October 5, 2025Part of the development team, assigned goals to the team, provided guidance to other writers, and provided feedback. Involved in story development and casting, and responsible for turning around drafts.
1st Assistant Director at Various productions
January 1, 2016 - October 5, 2025Coordinated and supervised production operations during pre-production and principal photography; ensured safety protocols and set policies; kept production on schedule and met deadlines.
Production Manager at Wolf TV (University Production Network)
January 1, 2011 - October 5, 2025Responsible for content management and creation for university television station. Created, organized, and distributed graphics, footage, reports and purchases. Coordinated with clients and businesses about advertising and sponsorship.
Instructor at Latin Film Institute: Youth Cinema Project
January 1, 2022 - October 5, 2025Instructor for Youth Cinema Project.
Producer-Editor at PBS
January 1, 2018 - October 5, 2025Responsible for managing the production process and overseeing the entire production lifecycle from initial concept to final delivery. Ensured adherence to project budget, managed timelines, and met deadlines. Coordinated heavily with the full team and ensured information was effectively communicated to achieve an impactful final edit.
Story Editor at Real Kids of Hollywood (TV Series)
January 1, 2021 - October 5, 2025Part of the development of the series; assigned goals to the team, provided guidance to other writers, and delivered feedback. Contributed to story development and casting considerations; involved in turning around drafts.
Assistant Director at Various productions
January 1, 2016 - October 5, 2025Worked with the director and producers to coordinate and supervise production operations during pre-production and principal photography. Ensured safety protocols and set policies were followed; kept production on schedule across multiple projects.
Production Manager / General Manager at Wolf TV (University Production Network)
January 1, 2011 - October 5, 2025Responsible for content management and creation for university television station. Created, organized, and distributed graphics, footage, reports, and purchases. Coordinated with clients and sponsors about advertising and sponsorship. Supervised a staff of 50.
Assistant Manager at AMC Theatres
January 1, 2018 - October 5, 2025Assisted in theatre operations, staff scheduling, and customer service; contributed to daily store management and operational efficiency.
Instructor at Latin Film Institute: Youth Cinema Project
January 1, 2022 - October 5, 2025Instructor for youth cinema project; developed instruction and guided students in filmmaking and storytelling.
Producer-Editor at PBS
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025Responsible for managing the production process and overseeing the entire production cycle, from initial concept to final delivery. Ensured production adhered to project budget, managed timelines, and met all deadlines.
Story Editor at Real Kids of Hollywood
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021Part of the development of the series; assigned goals to the team, provided guidance to other writers, and provided feedback. Input on the story and casting; responsible for turning around drafts.
Assistant Director (various productions) at Various productions
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2016Worked with the director and producers to coordinate and supervise production operations during pre-production and principal photography. Ensured the implementation and compliance with safety protocols and set policies. Maintained progress to achieve goals across stages of filmmaking.
Production Manager, General Manager at Wolf TV (University Production Network)
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2011Responsible for content management and creation for university television station. Created, organized, and distributed graphics, footage, reports and purchases. Coordinated with clients and business partners about advertising and sponsorship. Supervised a staff of 50.
Education
MFA in Directing at AFI Conservatory
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2019MFA in Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015BA in Film Studies at NC State University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011MFA in Directing at AFI Conservatory
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2019MFA in Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015BA in Film Studies at NC State University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011MFA in Directing at AFI Conservatory
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2019MFA in Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015BA in Film Studies at NC State University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011MFA in Directing at AFI Conservatory
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2019MFA in Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015BA in Film Studies at North Carolina State University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011MFA in Directing at AFI Conservatory
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2019MFA in Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015BA in Film Studies, Minor in Art & Design and Creative Writing at North Carolina State University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011Qualifications
Stanley Kamen Endowed Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025AFI Conservatory Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025Artistic Merit Scholarship (Savannah College of Art and Design)
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025Stanley Kamen Endowed Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025AFI Conservatory Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025Artistic Merit Scholarship (Savannah College of Art and Design)
January 1, 2015 - October 5, 2025Stanley Kamens Endowed Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025AFI Conservatory Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025Stanley Kamen Endowed Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025AFI Conservatory Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025Artistic Merit Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2025Stanley Kamen Endowed Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - February 19, 2026AFI Conservatory Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - February 19, 2026Artistic Merit Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - February 19, 2026Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other, Government
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
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