Where are you currently employed?
I’m finishing up on “Battleground,” a nationally syndicated show covering the “battleground states” of the 2024 election and its, uh, aftermath.
Current projects?
I recently finished making my 1,000th episode of TV!
I’ve worked across different genres and styles, but my specialty thus far has generally been talk or variety shows and especially political shows. Media can change perceptions and change the world; it’s been an honor to work on shows bringing social justice issues to light.
For instance, I worked on a television special about systemic racism and intersectionality executive produced by LeBron James. I’ve worked for the incomparable Ava DuVernay. Also, as an editor/producer on “The Carlos Watson Show,” I researched and executed pretty deep dives on Pete Buttigieg, Anita Hill, Debbie Allen, and many others.
I’ve done a lot of political comedy like “The Daily Show” and “The Nightly Show.” Sometimes I’ve wandered into pure silly comedy (without a political slant), like “Greatest Ever” on TruTV or “Grown & Sexy” for VH1.
I’ve also had random jobs in other genres, like when I was a post-coordinator on “Project Runway: Threads.” One of the Emmy-nominated editors even took me to the Emmys with them!
I’ve been fortunate to have great jobs, work with cool people, and help create meaningful media. I look forward to seeing what the next thousand episodes hold.
Describe your job.
More than solely picture or sound, I often edit content — getting the show to time in a way that makes sense and doesn’t leave anything too important on the cutting room floor.
I also do more traditional editing tasks, such as finding creative ways to cover jarring cuts, making slight color adjustments, picking different camera angles, refining pacing, smoothing audio, etc. As an editor/producer, I’ve done research, cleared archival footage with the legal department, written and recorded voiceovers, and even done lots of planning and execution in the field (as I don’t solely post-produce).
How did you first become interested in this line of work?
I was such a wide-eyed, emotional kid who deeply experienced and adored stories, spectacle, and heart in the media I watched. I believed stories had the power to change the world — and change people, which I thought was a beautiful thing to do with my life. From eighth grade onward, I focused almost exclusively on the arts. As for getting into editing/producing specifically, I guess I explored a path that presented itself to me as I worked my way through the industry, and I’m still exploring.
Who gave you your first break?
That depends on how you define a first break. I’ve had a lot of moments that felt important at the time. Elyse, a high-up producer on “America’s Got Talent,” saw my dedication and got the production to turn my initial two-day gig into one that lasted seasons (and most importantly, secured me a job in LA instead of only working one of their out-of-town auditions). That was my foot in the door, my first TV job. (And it can be really hard to get that first job, especially in LA.)
Shortly after, there was Graciela who, appreciating my work ethic as a PA, gave me my first half-step up from PA to assisting the story team. Kelly gave me my first chance at being an assistant editor because she believed in my “drive and spunk.”
Tonya, seeing potential in my creativity and drive, promoted me to my first actual editing job. It’s amazing that at practically every turn, a woman reached out from a rung above to pull me up (especially when the vast majority of the time, I’ve worked on shows with far more men than women).
What was your first union job?
“Life Flight,” a Lifetime show about first responders who rescued people by helicopter from treacherous situations. I think only six episodes aired because there was a personnel change at the network and the new person shelved our show — but we’d worked enough to join the union.
What credits or projects are you proudest of, and why?
Hands down, “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.” Working on that show was a dream come true. Everything from the big-picture stuff — working with a wonderfully smart, funny, diverse staff (with multiple women editors, a rare sight for most of my career), plus, importantly, getting to work on such thoughtful, meaningful material, not to mention having the best boss(es) a girl could ask for — all the way down to the small things like great hours, endless catering, bathrooms stocked with free tampons, and amazingly fair pay.
Also, since I’ll take any excuse to tell a favorite story: On our last day, I was handing out thank-you cards to everyone on staff. When I got to Jon Stewart (an executive producer of the show), I looked at him with tears in my eyes and told him, “You don’t need me to say all this since you’ll see it in the card, but you’ve changed my whole life. I dreamed of working for you on a political show that puts good into the world and helps propel things forward, and I actually got to do it. And I got promoted here from assistant editor to full editor. I’m so proud of the work we’ve done and I’ve loved every moment. So, thank you so much for changing my life.” He looked at me and said, “Thank you, Aurora, but no. You changed your own life. Every person in this building is here because they are some of the best at what they do, and that includes you. It was your talent, your creativity, your tenacity that changed your life. It wasn’t me.”
What was your biggest challenge in your job (or on a particular project) and how did you overcome/solve it?
In a more personal and tangible way, I would say the biggest challenge during any of my jobs was having been in an abusive relationship. As much as I told myself I could leave it at the door or that it wasn’t affecting me that much, it was. Whether I was becoming distracted, experiencing mood shifts, or suffering injuries plus health issues from immense, suffocating stress, it affected the work and the people I worked with. It’s shocking how easily one can unwittingly get sucked into a relationship marred by domestic violence, and the ramifications are more long-lasting and far-reaching than I’d ever imagined.
In a more big-picture way, my biggest challenges involved making ethical decisions regarding what jobs to take. Media can be hugely influential, so deciding if the work I might do would allow me to look in the mirror each morning can sometimes prove challenging. At times, I took jobs because I needed the money or had some other justification, but then I’d wonder: Does this align with what I want to put into the world? Examples are reality shows I might have felt were unfair or too manipulative in how we heavily pushed and then portrayed contestants. As I’ve grown, I’ve tried to be smarter about the jobs I take and more steadfast about the boundaries of what I feel comfortable doing. But even then, sometimes you take a job, only to discover something later that would’ve caused you to turn it down; then you have a potentially sticky situation. Navigating a career can be a minefield, and I’m trying to implement lessons and grow as best I can.
What was the most fun you’ve had at work?
Tough to say when there’s so much fun to be had. One fond memory is when I was working on “Dancing with the Stars” and told Marilu Henner my dad was a big fan. She sweetly said, “Get out your phone!” She called my dad, and they had an adorable chat.
Jobwise, what do you hope to be doing five years from now?
More; I wanna do more.
What are your outside activities, hobbies, passions?
I’m a certified Rescue Scuba Diver. I love to travel, and I dream of diving with my favorite animals, orcas!
Additionally, I’m big into running. I’ve done over 100 half marathons, several full marathons, and a few ultras. I’m excited that I’ll be doing the New York City marathon this November. I’ve also done some long-term charity running projects, such as running 52 half-marathons in 52 weeks after open-heart surgery while raising money for Broadway Impact.
Favorite movie(s)? Why?
I loved “The Big Sick.” I spent a ton of time in the hospital during college. I had several procedures and ultimately open-heart surgery for a congenital heart defect I didn’t know about until then. I felt that movie nailed the complexity of going through a rare, unexpected illness.
Favorite TV program(s)? Why?
SO hard to choose, because I love television. “The Simpsons” is one, for sure. I’ve always been inspired by Lisa Simpson; I started playing saxophone in middle school because I thought passionate, perfectionist, giant-hearted Lisa Simpson was the absolute coolest. (Yet again, one of a million examples of media influencing people’s decisions that can have really wide butterfly effects on their lives. I ended up playing saxophone all through high school and at Berklee College of Music.)
One career wish I have is before the show goes off the air (which I hope is not for decades to come), I’d love to have a teeeeeeeeny tiiiiiiiiny mark on it — like write a song for them, or play a saxophone lick, or voice a character, even if she only gets to say one word.
I also adore “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Apart from my concern that it may play into “copaganda” a little bit, it’s quite literally the perfect series: amazing pacing, incredible casting with phenomenal actors (Andy Samberg bowls me over, and the whole ensemble rocks), laugh-out-loud jokes, hilarious recurring bits, the heists, blending heart and comedy, and a pitch-perfect finale. Mike Schur is a genius who does exceptional work (and is my go-to answer for dream dinner guest).
I’ve watched a plethora of things from before I was born to the present. We could talk about shows from “Mary Tyler Moore” to “Hacks” and everything between and beyond, but my word count runneth over, so let’s do that over at Café Gratitude sometime.
Do you have an industry mentor?
I’m still close with a boss I adore and admire, Tonya from “Nightly.” I wholeheartedly trust her guidance and advice — plus, I just like being her friend; I still play fantasy football with her every year!
What advice would you offer someone interested in pursuing the kind of work you do?
Follow the opportunities that feel right to you in your gut. Don’t live to populate your resume or worry too much about how things look on paper or how you look to others — easier said than done, I know (oh goodness, do I know). Go directly toward the things that feel right, in the depths of your soul, and go as far away as you can from the things that don’t.
Was there ever a circumstance when you had to rely on the Guild for help or assistance?
I don’t remember all the details, but I was working on a show on location. (Production took everyone, even post.) Some of my colleagues noticed an issue regarding underpayments. They emailed the Guild, which leapt into action and kept in contact with us throughout the rest of the gig to be sure we were getting everything we were owed. It was nice to have such a fierce advocate; we didn’t have to fight — just send an email and boom, help was on the way, even when we were far from home.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your fellow Guild members, any words of encouragement?
I’d love to be in community with you! Stay in touch! www.AuroraDeLucia.com.
Compiled by David Bruskin.
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