Rebecca Bregman, Executive in Charge
AGE: What is an Executive in Charge?
An Executive in Charge oversees all the development and production on a production management level. I work on all budgets and schedules for both development projects and projects that have received greenlights. I oversee a team of Production Management employees (Line Producers, Production Managers, and Production Coordinators). I work with the finance team on cost reporting all projects as well as the profit and loss of those projects.
AGE: What are the biggest challenges you face on the job?
Budgets are getting smaller and the asks from the networks are always more, more, more! So working on knowing what we can do in a certain amount of time with the money we receive, while also making some sort of profit, is the biggest challenge of my job.
AGE: How did you get started in TV?
I studied Film Theory at University and thought I wanted to become a Director. Very lofty goals. I moved back home, and since I grew up very close to NYC (VERY LUCKY) I started interning on late 90's indie films. Then I moved on to PA'ing (Production Assistant). I worked a lot with producers/directors in the office and did some coordinating. A co-worker/friend from one of those companies moved on to work at Viacom, and when he needed a coordinator he hired me. I worked "perma-lance" at Nick, Noggin, MTV, and VH1 for many years, honing my skills. There weren't a ton of unscripted shows in NYC back then, which let me hone my skills and move up at a slower pace, but I learned a lot.
Rebecca Bregman, at work on a dinner theatre in Tokyo
AGE: What have you done that took some moxie, or some kind of bold move to achieve your goal?
Back when I was doing it I didn't think it took moxie, but I let myself take on a lot of budgeting responsibilities very early on. That was why I was ready to Line Produce after just a few shows. I was taught very well. Also, there was a time when I was in between Production Coordinator and PM (Production Manager) that I was out of work longer than I wanted to be. I knew I needed to move up to PM so I waited for the right job to come, in order to move up.
AGE: You work for Lion TV. What shows do they produce?
Cash Cab! I worked at Lion for a few years back in 2006 as a PM and then moved on to LP (Line Producer) for Cash Cab on Discovery. When I came back to Lion over ten years later (!!) as EIC (Executive in Charge), we were producing Cash Cab for Bravo. A great full circle. We also do a ton of shows for ID (Investigation Discovery). People love their crime shows!
AGE: I love Cash Cab! Tell me about the show. Is the enthusiasm as real as it seems?
Contestants are MOSTLY always super excited. It's funny when you get the people who are like "NO THANKS" I don't want to play or be on TV like this.
AGE: When Cash Cab first started, what were your responsibilities?
When I was working on CC back in the day, I had never bought a new car in my life. But I had to buy a car, then figure out how to convert it to a cab. That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. We were down to the wire on getting the cab license too. We won the Emmy that year. I was so proud.
Rebecca Bregman with Sarah Cattano, Line Producer, “Cash Cab” on Bravo in 2019
AGE: Have you worked with many celebrities? Do you have any stories you can share?
From way way back in my indie days, I was working on a movie with Blair Underwood, throwback, and one of my coworkers was going home from set late at night. He heard us talking about it and he offered to drive her home. He said he would never leave his wife stranded. So nice.
Blair Underwood, Actor | Producer | Director
I worked on a show at Part2 Pictures called “Story of Cool,” produced by LL COOL J for MSNBC. We interviewed Ice Cube about sneakers and rap culture. It was amazing. He was super nice and he’s one of my favorite rappers!
Rebecca Bregman with Ice Cube on the set of “Story of Cool”
I worked at Bobby Flay's company for years. He is a great businessman and very efficient on set. He comes to set, does his job (well) and oftentimes the crew leaves on time!
Bobby Flay, Celebrity Chef & Co-owner of Rock Shrimp Productions
Other celebrities? I mean, I have some shitty stories... but we always do.
AGE: Being organized must be important in your work. What method(s) do you use?
Lists, lists, lists. I used to write them all in notebooks. Now it's either on my todo list on my computer, OR with notecards/sticky notes. I juggle and have to check in with a lot of productions and LPs, so writing everything down is a must. I use EVERNOTE a lot now as well. I make notes when I do a budget, reminders: don't forget legal! don't forget insurance! FRINGES! Things like that so I budget correctly.
AGE: What advice would you give to someone who is looking for a job or trying to advance their career?
Networking is important. Work hard, be respectful, and people will notice you. I worked with some of the same people for years because of this.
AGE: How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed life for you?
UGH x 10. I don't love working from home. It's super stressful figuring out how to film during this time. Work is slower. Co-workers are super stressed, especially those with kids. It is the worst time I've faced working in the industry.
AGE: What might surprise people to find out about you?
I do a podcast with my Step-dad... well it's more like a radio show. We got kicked off the podcast platforms for playing popular music but we have a secret website now. :)
And I'm dual citizen (Canadian/US).
AGE: Do you have anything else you'd like to mention?
My best friend from childhood, Dana Bookman, started www.canadiangirlsbaseball.com several years ago. She just recently asked me to sit on the board. What an Hono(u)r!
Apparently 94% of female CEOs played a sport! It gives confidence and creates teamwork, which we find super important for our next generation of women.
Also, Dana let me know that some of the best players in the world only hit 3 in 10 times! What a stat for life. :)
AGE: Do you want to share your “secret” podcast address?
