Peju Aliyu
New York, NY |--| LinkedIn |Website
Creative producer with 10+ years in video production and digital storytelling. Expertise in developing
high-impact content for YouTube, social media, and broadcast platforms. Skilled in managing cross-functional
teams, optimizing workflows, and transforming complex ideas into compelling visual narratives. Passionate
about mentorship, collaboration, and innovative storytelling techniques.
Problem-Solving | Production Management | Set Management | Budgeting | Production
Coordination | Leadership & Mentoring | Team Management | Project Management |
Dependability | Flexibility | Adaptability | Resourceful | Schedule Management | Organized |
Script Revision | Safety & Compliance
Career Overview
EDUCATE THE BLOCK | Kearny, NJ
Production Coordinator
March 2025
Managed high-stakes productions, including a prison documentary requiring sensitive negotiations with inmates
and guards under strict security protocols. Simultaneously coordinated a podcast, overseeing scheduling,
studio bookings, and post-production under tight deadlines. Resolved on-set conflicts and streamlined
operations, cutting scheduling errors by 30% with digital tools. Praised for "turning chaos into order."
Key Achievements:
➣ Negotiated with wardens and inmates to film restricted ceremonies, resulting in 20+ hours of critical footage
that became the documentary’s narrative core—all while maintaining a 100% safety record under strict
protocols.
➣ Resolved 5+ volatile confrontations between prisoners and crew by implementing a "quiet protocol" system,
preventing production shutdowns and earning praise from the director for "crisis-ready diplomacy."
➣ Streamlined The Bill O’Dea Podcast’s production by cutting guest scheduling errors by 40% via digital tools
(e.g., Calendly, Trello) and reducing edit turnaround time from 5 days to 2.
ELON CONSULTING | Seattle, WA
First Assistant Director
Jun 2024 - Dec 2024
Directed logistics for 8 emotionally charged short films based on healthcare workers’ stories, managing a
rotating cast/crew of 30+ while accommodating medical professionals’ limited availability. Revised schedules
daily to grant days off for burnout prevention and ran lines with actors to preserve script authenticity. Completed
scenes 1 week ahead of schedule by pre-approving looks (wardrobe, props) during prep and shooting in
efficient blocks. Fostered a supportive set culture, earning praise from frontline workers for “honoring their
experiences.
Key Achievements:
➣ 20% faster filming per short by reusing lighting setups and training crew on rapid transitions.
➣ $15K saved through donated medical equipment/locations from partnered hospitals.
➣ 0 reshoots due to rigorous continuity checks with healthcare advisors on-set.
CHELA FILMS | New York, NY
First Assistant Director
Jan 2023 - Present
1st AD on a micro-budget feature shot in a small town, leveraging local talent (50+ extras), donated props, and
free locations to stretch a $200K budget 20% further. Rebuilt the schedule live to gift crew days off after intense
shoots, while still wrapping 2 days early. Served as de facto local liaison—negotiating free police escorts for
road scenes and securing front-page news coverage that boosted grassroots marketing. Personally coached
first-time actors, ensuring performances met the director’s vision.
Key Achievements:
➣ $40K saved via community donations (meals, vintage cars, locations) and skilled volunteer labor.
➣ 3,000+ local press impressions from news features, driving festival interest.
➣ 0 union penalties despite 6-day weeks, by self-policing crew rest periods.
NIHB/CDC | Washington, DC
Feb 2023 - July 2023
First Assistant Director& Producer
Produced the Telly Award-winning "San Carlos Apache Tribe" documentary series funded by NIHB/CDC,
blending cultural preservation with innovative visual storytelling. Secured 100% of filming locations through
grassroots negotiations—offering credits, and local skill integration—reducing location costs by 40%.
Collaborated with 10+ tribal leaders to ensure narrative authenticity, resulting in adoption by NIHB as a training
resource.
Key Achievements:
➣ Bronze Telly Award for NIHB/CDC series, lauded for elevating Indigenous stories through striking
cinematography.
➣ 40% location cost savings by trading production perks (e.g., social promos, local hiring) for site access.
➣ 100% community buy-in by involving locals as crew/cast, strengthening trust and output quality.
Projects
➣
➣
➣
➣
➣
➣
➣
➣
The bill O’Dea Podcast | Production Coordinator | March 2025
Untitled prison documentary | Production Coordinator | March 2025
Breathe - Voices of Healthcare: 1st AD | June - December 2024
Untitled Peru Documentary | 1st AD | Jan 2024
Rockweed | 1st AD & Producer | Sept - Oct 2023
National Indian Health Board/CDC Projects | Producer & Assistant Director | Feb- Jun 2023
Followers | 1st AD & Producer | Sept 2025
Baby Mama Drama webseries | Producer |-
Certified Trainings
Film | TV Industry Essentials Certification | NYU Tisch | 2020
The Fundamentals of Film ♦ The Fundamentals of Television ♦ Production as a Business
Education
Bachelors of Science - Criminal Justice | New Jersey City University | Jersey City, NJ | 2014
Bachelors of Arts - Mutli Media Production | New Jersey City University | Jersey City, NJ | 2014
Awards
Voices of Women International Short Film & Script Winner | 2025
Bronze Winner of the Telly Awards for producing innovative video content, recognized for excellence in
visual storytelling | 2024
