Sithara Puli Venkatesh
PhD Scholar, University Of Madras
Chennai,Tamil Nadu
Summary
An aspiring teacher and a passionate PhD scholar and researcher in the field of Communication with 10 years of experience leading reality shows in Tamil television industry. Highly motivated individual committed to hard work and intensive critical thinking. An extensive qualitative researcher who has converted experiences as the only female associate director handling huge number of cast and crew including child artists and their parents into effective research projects. Interested in developing a career that combines teaching and research while maintaining my interest in children, gender and sexuality studies.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Public Relations Officer
Thalir Production House
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
03.2018 - 12.2019
- Oversaw budget and worked to build the best rapport between the media houses and the artists to drive fiscal responsibility and profitability.
- Acted as subject matter expert of production house services across portfolio of artists and celebrities.
- Managed service projects from start to finish by finding partners, making detailed plans and executive projects.
- Monitored and evaluated industry media coverage by managing social media platforms and contributing engaging articles to range of industry publications.
Freelance Public Relations Officer
Global Villagers
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
07.2018 - 12.2018
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
- Supervised and assisted celebrities in reality shoots to keep on task for timely completion.
- Set realistic expectations with media houses and artists to consistently deliver on expectations.
- Supported artist goals with corresponding action plans and timelines.
- Leveraged networks to identify and generate opportunities to increase exposure and revenue for the production house.
Artist Coordinator
Asianet Star Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
01.2016 - 06.2018
- Liaised with Star Vijay Television to strategically develop clients' careers and help build company's celebrity roster.
- Acted as subject matter expert of company services across portfolio of clients.
- Established strong relationships to partner with and navigate artists with wide range of personality types.
- Stayed abreast of industry trends via new reality show concepts, special events and social media to keep artists at forefront of ever-changing landscape.
- Supported artist goals with corresponding action plans and timelines.
- Enhanced artist satisfaction ratings by scheduling on-site service requests, managing show logistics and booth functionality needs to meet demands.
- Coordinated make-up professionals, costume designers, florists, photographers, videographers, musicians, officiants and camera men during rehearsals, pre-shoot and on-shoot events.
- Fulfilled contractual obligations for rehearsal and day of event coordination.
- Fostered relationships with television channel organization, production house and celebrities to obtain best price, quality, and delivery of episodes.
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
Associate Director
D-Studio Production House
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
11.2014 - 02.2018
- Managed pre-production and production phases of more than 120 bi-weekly reality show episodes.
- Had conceived, directed and coordinated 5 dance reality shows and one game show as the Director in-charge of the shooting floor.
- Pitched in and created nouvelle contents for episodes in terms with the special guests and dance performances by Analyzing the previous rating patterns.
- Produced creative content in all the episodes by researching and understanding the audience expectations in the regional markets.
- Single-handedly lead over 200 shoots managing 150+ crew members and 50+ artists.
- Coordinated costumes and designs with the designers, artists and contestants. Ensured quality and timely completion of requirements on and before the shoot schedules. creatively participated in designing costumes in accordance with the theme of the episodes.
- Actively coordinated property requirements with art directors, set assistants, choreographers and contestants. Made decisions on choosing the right aesthetic choice that suited the theme of the performances.
- Performed multi-tasking roles such as Audiences Coordinator, Floor Manager, Celebrity/ Contestant Manager and PRO of the show simultaneously.
Guest Lecturer
Ethiraj College for Women
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
06.2015 - 04.2016
- Taught Gender & Media, Television Production, Radio Production, Visual Text Analyses and Basic Drawing classes for the undergraduate and graduate B.Sc. Visual Communication students.
- Handled students with multi-cultural
backgrounds - Guided class discussions to encourage debate and feedback among students.
- Maintained engaging and interesting lectures by combining different media.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Sought ways to improve performance by reflecting on teaching design and delivery and obtaining and analyzing feedback.
Assistant Director
D-Studio Production House
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
06.2011 - 11.2014
- Worked on 4 dance reality shows and 1 game show as an Assistant Director and script writer writing exclusive scripts for the artists, anchors and judges of the television shows.
- Maintained communication and information exchange with technical counterparts at the television channels.
- Assisted show directors and producers in managing all aspects of budget and operations.
- Conducted feasibility and cost-benefit studies for diverse capital projects.
- Set up and ran new project meetings between director, producer and television organizations to develop new businesses and cement partnerships.
- Built and strengthened relationships with channel and production house representatives in order to maintain consistent project supplies.
Education
Ph.D. - Communication Studies
University of Madras
Chennai 04.2018 - Current
Master of Philosophy - Journalism And Communication Studies
University of Madras
Chennai 08.2014 - 08.2015
Master of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
Alagappa University
Chennai 01.2012 - 12.2013
Bachelor of Science - Visual Communication
Ethiraj College For Women
Chennai 06.2008 - 04.2011
Skills
Written and Verbal Communication
Timeline
Freelance Public Relations Officer
Global Villagers
07.2018 - 12.2018
Ph.D. - Communication Studies
University of Madras
04.2018 - Current
Senior Public Relations Officer
Thalir Production House
03.2018 - 12.2019
Artist Coordinator
Asianet Star Communications Pvt. Ltd.
01.2016 - 06.2018
Guest Lecturer
Ethiraj College for Women
06.2015 - 04.2016
Associate Director
D-Studio Production House
11.2014 - 02.2018
Master of Philosophy - Journalism And Communication Studies
University of Madras
08.2014 - 08.2015
Master of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
Alagappa University
01.2012 - 12.2013
Assistant Director
D-Studio Production House
06.2011 - 11.2014
Bachelor of Science - Visual Communication
Ethiraj College For Women
06.2008 - 04.2011