Debra Koehler

Episodic Writer for this series that follows a couple or family as it shops for a new dream home and lifestyle in Montana. I worked from my home office to provide edit-ready AVID strings and paper scripts, as well as notes and pick ups for upcoming shoots to keep the editorial focus of the story on track.

Field producer for talent-driven build series about tree houses. Managed multi-camera shoots including multiple GoPros and drones.

I worked from home as an episodic writer, providing both a paper script and an AVID string on an act-by-act basis. I also worked as a Field Producer on insert pieces for the series that featured artisans that made special features for the home.

Worked from home as a segment writer for the complete one-hour special. This was a countdown show, so I screened footage and recommended story placement. I provided both an edit-ready AVID string and paper script for each segment, as well as intros and teases to tie the episode together.

Field producer on two very complex, multi-camera shoots that captured the drama of Jeff Henry taking the very first test runs on his scale model of Verruct, which was to become the world's tallest water slide. We only had one chance to get it right. We nailed it.

I was hired as a "Script Doctor" for this five-part mini-series. I did a polish pass on all scripts to tighten the sentences, correct grammar and flag inconsistencies and facts that needed verification or clarification.

I worked from home as a segment writer for the series and provided both paper scripts and edit-ready AVID strings of my stories.

Writer for the pre-production shoot script for a new cultural and historical film for The Visitor's Center at Natchez Trace Parkway, a National Park in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. I accompanied the Executive Producer on a fact-finding drive of the Parkway as part of the preparation for the script.

Writer of the post-production edit script for the 20-minute orientation film that plays in The Visitors' Center at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona.

Supervised shooting and field crews in Dallas and Washington D.C. for 26 episodes of My First Sale, a reality/docudrama real estate series for HGTV that follows the emotional and financial drama of trying to sell a home for the first time. Responsible for writing the show's style guide and mentoring/guiding our story manages and remote freelance crews to capture the show's unique editorial content and visual style on tape. When shooting wrapped, I remained with the show as an episode producer/writer.

Developed and produced a 30-minute, Top Ten Countdown show about the crazy things people do with pumpkins. Along with Top Hallow Screams, this show was produced and delivered on a very short fuse. Shot in September, aired in October.

Developed and produced a 30-minute, Top Ten Countdown show about Haunted Houses. The show was produced and delivered on a very shoot fuse. Shot in September, aired in October.

Supervised the production of 40 episodes of the popular series, Factory Made, on Discovery. Oversaw a staff of approximately a dozen producers, editors and researchers to develop story concepts and deploy field crews to shoot in factories in the U.S. and in nations including China, Switzerland, Germany and Mexico. Wrote or re-wrote all scripts to breakdown complex scientific, product design and engineering concepts into entertaining television.

Wrote the shoot scripts for orientation films that play in the visitors' centers at Crater Lake National Park and Big Bend National Park.

Episodic Producer

Oversaw research, casting, shooting, writing, editing, schedule, budget and delivery of a nine-episode docudrama reality TV series that follows a wife and mother of five as she builds her family's dream home and launches a new contracting business in Wheaton, IL.

Oversaw research, casting, shooting, writing, editing, schedule, budget and delivery of an eight-part docudrama reality TV series that follows three young surfers as they renovate their home in San Diego.

Developed and launched a new series for HGTV that captures the action and emotion as a house is moved to a new location. Wrote the treatment that sold the series and created the tone, style and format for the show. Developed a three-camera strategy (before GoPros and drones) to capture the action in the field. Oversaw research, shooting, writing, editing, schedule, budget and delivery of the series which succeeded in reaching the targeted male demo for the network.

Oversaw research, casting, shooting, writing, editing, schedule, budget and delivery of a 10-part docudrama reality TV series that follows an outspoken family in Chattanooga as they attempt to build a home on an extremely challenging building site.

Oversaw research, casting, shooting, writing, editing, schedule, budget and delivery of a 10-part docudrama reality TV series that follows a couple in Portland, Oregon as they undertake a major renovation of their home while expecting their second child.

Oversaw research, casting, shooting, writing, editing, schedule, budget and delivery of an eight-episode docudrama Reality TV series that follows a couple in Virginia as they start a vineyard and built a new home.

Quickly converted a Dream House series set in New Orleans into a one-hour special after the home being featured was lost in Hurricane Katrina.

Took over this established HGTV series in its 13th season and changed the tone, style and format to make it look and feel like "reality TV." The 13-episode arc follows an architect in Boulder Colorado as he builds a home of his own design while he and his wife are expecting their first child. Oversaw research, casting, shooting, writing, editing, schedules, budget and delivery. Strong ratings earned a renewal for five more seasons (listed above).

Oversaw research, shooting, writing, editing, host wraps and delivery of four magazine-style one-hour specials including Year 'Round Christmas, Extreme Halloween, Outta Control Christmas, and Garden Giants III

Re-purposed a travel/adventure series originally produced for The Food Network for Fine Living. Cut show to new time and added "helpful hint" and "trivia" graphics to the show.

Oversaw production of three seasons of this reality-style TV series that paired a fan with a top country music star for a day. Managed all fan casting, scheduling, venue/location negotiations and budgets. Worked directly with the artists and their teams to set up a unique fan experience. Personally executed all field producing. Wrote the episodes and oversaw editing. Featured artists included Dwight Yoakam, Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson and Marty Stewart.

Developed and pitched a one-hour Christmas special for CMT about cowboy Christmas traditions. Executed host wraps with country music star Clint Black.

Produced a two-hour special for CMT that explored the origins of Honky Tonk music. Researched and selected relevant archival performance clips. Developed, researched, shot and wrote insert pieces. Executed host wraps with country music star Trace Adkins at the world famous Tootsie's Honky Tonk in Nashville.

Wrote segments for HGTV's "Historic Homes Of...." specials.

Researched, shot, wrote and delivered a one-hour magazine-style special on women artisans that make functional art for the home. Supervised editing and coordinated host wraps.

Wrote the film that plays in the visitors' center at Zion National Park.

Wrote script for the film that plays in the visitors' center at The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in Oklahoma

Wrote scripts for a re-enactment series that told a survival story brought on by a mishap or tragedy in the wild.

Supervised research, shooting, writing, editing, schedule, budget and delivery for 26 episodes of this series which revealed extraordinary gardens in cities throughout North America and The Caribbean. Traveled with the series as a field producer. Also wrote, produced and delivered a one-hour special, Secret Gardens of Pasadena which aired as part of HGTV's Rose Parade coverage.

Researched, shot, wrote and delivered a one-hour magazine-style special on Hispanic-American artisans that make functional art for the home. Supervised editing and coordinated host wraps.

Researched, shot, wrote and delivered a one-hour magazine-style special on African-American artisans that make functional pieces for the home. Supervised editing and coordinated host wraps.

Worked as a field produce and writer for a 30-minute magazine-style series that profiled artisans such as blacksmiths and furniture makers that make functional pieces for the home.

Newscast Producer.

Newscast Producer

Managed contracting, invoices and payment for global news crews for the Fox network's news gathering operation and news feed

Newscast Producer

Hired out of college as a production assistant. Worked my way up to News Manager (similar to Managing Editor).