Raised in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Sharon Pieczenik left to attend Stanford University. After she received her B.A. in International Relations in 2001, she had a myriad of jobs which included styling fashion shoots for New York Magazine, assisting an agent at William Morris Agency, and assisting a producer on the Fox lot. Having always been politically active, Sharon decided to combine her love of film with her love for conservation work and she moved to Bozeman, Montana to attend Montana State University’s Master of Fine Arts program in Science and Natural History Filmmaking. She is currently finishing the post-production of her thesis film on the endangered silky sifaka lemur.

Although only three years into her career, Sharon has already had the amazing opportunities to shoot throughout the US, Canada, Argentina, London, Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore, and Madagascar. She was also a finalist on Discovery Channel International's show "Reel Race." "Reel Race" took eight young and up-coming documentary filmmakers from around the world and pushed them to make documentaries under enormous pressure and constraints. As a finalist of "Reel Race," Sharon spent six weeks traveling around the world working both in-front of and behind the camera.

Due to different freelance opportunitites, Sharon Pieczenik aquired her own camera/lighting/sound/editing package. She is the founder and primary contributor for WYCTL Media.

CURRENT PROJECTS

 10/06-09/08  Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Madagascar

Awarded Research Channel grant to create a conservation video highlighting silky sifaka lemurs and the scientific/conservation work of PhD candidate Erik Patel and his local Malagasy collaborators.

PAST PROJECTS

08/08 Producer, Department of Corrections, MT

Produce DVD with six five-minute chapters and one ten-minute chapter whose purpose is to educate the public about the varying facilities and programs in which the D.O.C. is involved.  Researched and wrote outline for DVD chapters, planned shot list, hired camera operators, created and maintained intricate travel and shooting schedule.

08/08  Second Camera, Dateline, NY

Shot B-roll and an interview as second camera for a Dateline shoot in Northwestern Montana.

06/05-02/07 Producer, Montana PBS, MT

Produce a one-hour documentary on the Mission Mountain Wood Band.  Budget show and keep track of expenses.  Orchestrate multiple camera shoots at live concerts as well as single camera interviews and multiple-camera in-studio shoots.  Conduct interviews.  Track down archival footage.  Responsible for all legal clearances.  Coordinate post-production process.

 07/07 Producer, Cinematographer, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, MT

Created multi-media content for GYC website.

04/07  Screenwriter, Montana PBS, MT

Wrote a twelve-minute piece for the 50th anniversary of Montana State University's basketball arena, the oldest wooden dome in the US.  Also wrote short commercial spots to promote documentary.

02/07  Cinematographer, Girls For a Change, MT

Shot multiple venue event for a not-for-profit organization Girls For a Change (GFC).  GFC is a national organization that empowers thousands of teen girls to create and lead social change.

09/06-12/06 Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Polar Bears International, CA

Created polar bear related multi-media content for website and broadcast distribution.

6/06-08/06 Online Media/Brand Consultant, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, MT

Analyzed organization’s use of online media and developed strategies for appropriate use of further online media tools. Assessed place in market according to how GYC is reaching a Generation Y audience. Developed online strategy to target Gen Y audience and assessed appropriateness of strategy GYC.

10/05-6/06 Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Polar Bears International, CA

Crafted fundraising piece for PBI's 'Ambassadors of the Arctic' program. Shot on HD camera in extreme weather.

*Chosen to Screen at American Conservation Film Festival 2006

*Chosen to Screen at Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2007

*Chosen to Screen at Earth Vision Film Festival 2007 

*Chosen to Screen at Planet in Focus Festival 2007

*Chosen to Screen at Wave Hill's Sound the Alarm film series sponsored by the City of New York, Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting 2008 

7/05-8/05 Reel Race Contestant, Discovery Channel International

One of eight international up-and-coming documentary filmmakers competing in a reality show, making short documentaries, under high pressure situations, in a new country each week. Represented the United States and was a finalist.

3/03-5/03 Producer Assistant, John Ziffren, Fox Lot, CA

Managed busy desk, organized producer’s schedule, acted as liaison between crew, cast, and production office. Tracked and obtained legal clearances.

8/02-1/03 Agent Assistant, William Morris Agency, Beverly Hills, CA

Prioritized and multi-tasked busy desk: handled heavy phones, coordinated travel of agent, and processed expense reports.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Computer Skills: Power Point, Outlook, Final Draft, Final Cut Pro, Photo Shop, Pro Tools, EP Budgeting, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects

• Language Skills: Conversational French and Spanish

• Extensive World Travel: Europe, Scandinavia, Middle East, Caribbean, Australia, Africa, Asia