We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anastasiia Melnychenko. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anastasiia below.

Anastasiia , appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

My path from idea to execution began long before I ever thought of running an agency. I’ve always been the person who naturally organizes chaos — on set, in logistics, in problem-solving. Producing wasn’t just a job for me, it was the way my brain worked.

The idea to build something of my own didn’t arrive as one big moment — it came from noticing patterns. Every time I stepped onto a project, I was already doing the work of a producer, a coordinator, a strategist, and a fixer. I realized:
I don’t just make things run. I build the whole system.

That realization became the seed of the idea.
Execution started almost immediately — but in a very different way. I didn’t sit down and write a business plan. Instead, I focused on building infrastructure: organizing workflows, defining production standards, developing checklists, budgeting formats, and creating the way I wanted projects to operate.

I approached it like any complex shoot:

Identify the goal

Break it into tasks

Assign timelines

Execute with precision

Adjust rapidly when things change

The next step was testing. Before launching anything publicly, I produced a series of projects behind the scenes — experimenting with workflow, communication, and structure. I wanted a system that could handle both small editorial shoots and large commercial productions with the same level of stability.

Only after the system was working did I feel ready to call it a business.

From there, everything accelerated. I collaborated with Tina, and our strengths mirrored each other — her creative direction, my production approach. That partnership became the core of 917 Agency. Once the system was in place, clients came naturally because what they felt was reliability, clarity, and the sense that everything was under control.

What I learned is that execution is not about rushing.
It’s about building a foundation strong enough to support the idea.
My process was:
design → test → refine → scale.

That’s how my idea became a functioning production agency — not overnight, and not by chance, but by building structure first and letting creativity grow inside it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Anastasiia Melnychenko, a shooting producer and partner at 917 Agency in New York. My background is rooted in production — organizing teams, building systems, and creating the structure that allows creative work to thrive. I entered this industry because I’ve always been the person who naturally manages chaos, finds solutions quickly, and brings calm into fast-moving environments. Production felt like a language I already spoke.

At 917 Agency, we specialize in full-cycle creative production: photo and video campaigns, social content, CGI, VFX, 3D motion, creative direction, casting, and on-set management. I lead the production side — from pre-production and logistics to day-of-set operations and client communication. Brands work with us because we bring both high-level creative vision and the technical execution to match it.

The core problem I solve for clients is control and clarity. Many productions fall apart not because of creativity, but because of disorganization. I bring the opposite: a structured, predictable, supportive workflow where everyone knows what’s happening, what’s expected, and how to achieve it. This allows our clients — whether it’s Vogue, The Plaza, Team USA, Reese’s, or Beauty Blender — to feel safe, understood, and fully supported throughout the entire process.

What sets me apart is my balance of two things:
1. A very detail-oriented, process-driven approach, and
2. A soft, human leadership style that keeps the team motivated and calm.
I believe the atmosphere on set directly affects the final result, so I always prioritize communication, clarity, and emotional intelligence.

What I’m most proud of is building a career and a company in a new country and establishing trust with clients at the highest level of the industry. I didn’t rely on big connections; I relied on discipline, consistency, and the ability to make things happen smoothly even under pressure.

What I want people to know about my brand is simple:
917 Agency delivers premium creative work with the professionalism, organization, and care that make the entire experience seamless. We don’t just produce content — we create an environment where creativity feels supported and execution feels effortless.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes — several. As a producer, I wish I had discovered certain tools and communities much earlier. Resources for creative business basics, like solid contract templates, insurance guidance, and U.S. production standards, would’ve saved me a lot of time when I first entered the industry here.

I also wish I knew about producer-focused communities. Creatives have networks everywhere, but producers often work in isolation. Having access to others who share workflows, scheduling tips, and problem-solving strategies would’ve made my early stages much smoother.

Lastly, project management tools like Notion or Asana would have transformed my workflow from day one. I built everything manually for years, and these tools make production much more organized and efficient.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was believing that I needed to handle everything myself for the project to be “perfect.” As a producer, especially early in my career, I felt responsible for every detail — every email, every timeline, every problem on set. I thought that the more I controlled, the smoother everything would run.

The backstory is simple: during one particularly intense production, I tried to manage every moving part personally. Instead of helping, it slowed the team down and drained me completely. That experience taught me that real leadership isn’t about doing everything — it’s about building trust, delegating, and letting people use their strengths.

Unlearning that mindset changed everything. Projects became smoother, teams became stronger, and I had the space to think more strategically. Now I see delegation not as giving up control, but as creating the conditions for the best work to happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://917agency.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amelnyx/

Image Credits

Anastasiia Melnychenko