We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jana Angel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jana below.
Jana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I have worked in so many areas of production and storytelling and I have always felt drawn to the medium because it combines visuals, sound, and words to ignite specific feelings in the viewer. In my career I have had the opportunity to work on a huge range of projects, but the one that makes me most proud is when I created an adoption application video for my friends Josh and Swav. It was very simple, shot on my phone, no lighting kit, no crew- just me and two of my best friends telling the person on the other end of that video why they would make amazing fathers for a young child in need of a family. Today their son is a thriving 5 year old with two very proud Papas!
Jana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My road to the anchor desk was certainly not a straight one, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. After graduating college I played professional volleyball in France and when I retired and returned to the states I was in my late 20’s entering the workforce with fresh out of college counterparts. I hadn’t worked in production since my the 8th Grade stint on the “Raider report”, and I had zero resume, reel, or valid experience. So, I simply had to start from square one. I looked for TV and Talent gigs anywhere and everywhere I could. I worked as a promo model, Facebook Live Host, Corporate Spokesperson, Grip, Producer, Director, Podcast Host, Production Coordinator, Extra/Stand In, Director, Videographer and sometimes just the girl that schlepped things…anything to get on a set and LEARN. I’m proud that I did so much prior to getting my “dream gig” in local lifestyle news, because it gives you an appreciation for every single person on set and makes you equipped to react if you find yourself in a tight spot.
I would encourage people trying to “get into the biz” to GO, just GO. Don’t just wait for the dream job to come to you, chase it down, run full speed after it. Also, whatever is meant for you will be yours if you work for it, don’t get caught up in invisible competition, hold yourself to a high standard, work hard do the right thing -even when its hard- and you’ll end up where you should be.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The #1 lesson I had to “unlearn” is to not be the first to speak. To this day I have to work hard to listen and listen with intention. My whole life I was trained to go fast, be loud, make an impact, and sometimes that is just not what needs to happen. As a host it is 100% NOT about me, it is about the guest I am interviewing and serving as their facilitator to ensure their voice is heard and their story is shared. Off camera, same concept applies- I used to focus on being ready to talk, ready to make a move, make sure my presence was noticed, now I actively work on asking questions, waiting, listening, or just existing and observing.
I use the words “actively work on” because these actions don’t come naturally to me, I’m “unlearning” years of habits that take time to break.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.janaangel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaangeltv/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janaangeltv
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-angel-1265a227/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/janaangeltv
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwK7ZDIE0_aiMa4hXGY_-PA
Image Credits
Images Provided By: Graham Media DeVaughn Murphy Livee Leigh Photography LLC