Michael Ambers

Experience

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  Health Wellness & Fitness

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2020

  Group Fitness Instructor

  In 2000, I took my lifelong passion for bicycling inside and became an Indoor Cycling Instructor where I curated programs and motivated attendees to safely maximize performance and exceed their fitness goals. --Conducted 3-4 classes for up to 30 students using Spinning, Schwinn and Keiser curricula.

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  Multiple Outlets

  Jul 2001 - Jun 2010

  Non-Fiction & Unscripted Television Producer

  --Delivered 250+ hours of content for various linear, streaming and digital platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, BBC, Bravo, E!, and Direct-To-Consumer.--Produced television shows including “Real Housewives of Orange County,” “E! True Hollywood Story,” and “Trading Spaces.”--Identified operational inefficiencies and implemented workflow that sent digital audio files as standard practice to facilitate faster dubbing and editing, realizing time and cost savings to the network.--Maintained Content Management Systems (CMS) and Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems for asset collection and distribution.--Crafted international content in native languages to engage diverse audiences. Show less

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  Lionsgate

  Jul 2010 - Nov 2013

  Specials Show Producer

  --Produced 25+ entertainment documentaries for TV Guide Network and Pop TV, managing all aspects of production of long-form programs and short-form web content from ideation to final delivery.--Served as an official press representative by conducting live and pre-taped celebrity interviews at award shows, red carpets, media junkets, and news events to a global audience. --Liaised with Standards & Practices, Marketing, Rights & Clearances, Legal, Business Affairs, Programming, and all technical departments ensuring seamless coordination for deadlines.--Line produced daily live-to-tape programming. Show less

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  Discovery Inc

  Jan 2014 - Jul 2020

  Story Producer

  --Delivered 100+ episodes of “House Hunters,” overseeing all post-production processes and ensuring on time and high-quality content delivery. --Advised production on research and filming needs, rights and clearances, scheduling, and credits determinations.--Successfully cast 20+ episodes by evaluating and developing talent pitches.

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  Independent Content Creator

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2021

  Digital & UX Content Creator

  As a Branded Content Copywriter and Producer, I deliver dynamic content that drives eyes to streaming platforms, clicks to websites and people to events.Select completed projects include:--Wrote the entire Augmented Reality script for the Luminight Lantern Festival for SEE Global Entertainment: an interactive experience about environmentalism and the threats endangered species face, as told through the beautiful art of gigantic Chinese Lanterns.--SnapStar is a doll from YuLu Toys with an AR aspect that allows girls to use their camera phones to insert their doll into any photo or background of their choosing. I wrote several episodes of their branded videos for YouTube.--As a part of its 2017 Superbowl campaign, Michelob Ultra marketed itself as the beer for the athletic community and produced branded online marketing content. I directed, wrote and produced spots through Language Media.--The Museum of Failure is a collection of failed products from around the world: everything from the Edsel to the Samsung Galaxy Phone. This tongue-in-cheek exhibition is on a world tour and I developed its voice and wrote half of the exhibit for SEE Global Entertainment. Show less

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  Disney General Entertainment Content

  Aug 2020 - Nov 2023

  Production Manager - Health & Safety

  Project & Operations Management--Successfully launched Disney’s Health & Safety department overseeing the administration of Covid-19 protocols enabling television production to safely restart during the pandemic.--Had sole authority for hiring and managing up to 15 direct reports and oversaw a departmental budget exceeding $500,000 monthly on productions with 250+ cast and crew members.--Directed tri-weekly testing with real-time confidential response to infection incidents and oversaw case management of 300+ impacted crew members, vendors, and studio partners.--Coordinated and managed up to five locations simultaneously.Cross-Functional Collaboration--Drafted and implemented health & safety protocols in cooperation with union & enterprise stakeholders.--Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) and primary liaison between physical production, studio executives, union representatives, and outside vendors.--Trained, supervised, and evaluated staff, managed employee challenges, and de-escalated personnel conflicts.Strategic Implementation--Identified cost and efficiency opportunities and saved 75+ man hours per week on 100+ television productions as the only Health & Safety Manager – of 150+ – selected by leadership to spearhead stretch assignments for Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) review, creating departmental templates, and developing new hire training curricula.--Assessed, analyzed, and implemented business continuity practices effectively minimizing interruptions to production.--Authored and successfully presented 7+ weekly protocol exemption requests to Committee of Excellence (COE).Disney Enterprise Honors/Contributions--Selected by leadership for Disney Leadership Essentials (DLE) and Disney Peer Review/Imperative programs.--Volunteer: Disney Family Assistance Care Team (FACT).-Member: Disney Triathlon Team, benefitting Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles. Show less

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  Self-employed

  Jan 2024 - now

  Professional Career Development