SVG Students To Watch: Dana Shearer, Syracuse University

A recent graduate from Westchester, NY, this experienced technician has already started her first gig in the industry, as a REMI A2 Comms Specialist at ESPN

In the live-sports-video industry, the future is bright. Our series SVG Students To Watch highlights the next generation of live-sports-production professionals. Across campuses nationwide, students are playing a pivotal role in bringing their schools' games to fans - from running cameras and graphics to sitting in the producer's or director's chair and everything in between. This series shines a light on the young talent making an impact today and preparing to shape the future of sports-video production.

Dana Shearer

College: Syracuse University

Academic Year: May 2026 Graduate

Hometown: Westchester, NY

Roles: A2, A1, Parab, PA, Utility, Camera Operator

What drew you to live sports production, and how did you get started?

About 10 years ago, I had the unique opportunity to [shadow a broadcast] of New Year's Eve in Times Square [with my father]. I had been fascinated by live sports and entertainment for a long time, but this was the first time it all clicked for me..

Having graduated from Syracuse University this year, Shearer has already landed her first full-time job: as a REMI A2 comms specialist for ESPN, working out of its Bristol, CT, headquarters.That night, I watched each person's job on the crew. I paid close attention to all the different roles that it took to bring a production of that capacity to air. I noticed the teleprompter operators and the engineers, and everyone in between.

I left the show that night thinking I wanted to be a jib operator. A few years later, I was able to practice on the jib at WWE SummerSlam, which solidified my interest in the field.

What fascinated me most about live production was the need for teamwork and collaboration. Each person's responsibilities are unique, yet all are necessary to create memorable experiences for audiences around the world.

During her time at Syracuse, Shearer excelled in technical roles. Here she works on a Cat 5e Ethernet cable.Are there any aha moments when you realized you really loved a particular role?

Audio is something I never really thought about pursuing and then, over time, just continuously kept going back to. It is one of the most important components of a live broadcast. Audio can make or break an audience's experience and truly has the power to expand on what is visually on screen.

It is also one of the most complex and challenging parts of engineering a live show. There are so many different elements that need to be routed and pieced together beforehand, on top of live mixing. My interest in the area has inspired me to spend a lot of time working as both an A2 and an A1 and has led to my new role at ESPN. I am looking forward to learning more about audio while also exploring other technical areas of field and in-studio production.

What has been your favorite project or game that you've worked on, and why?

My favorite project that I worked on was the 78th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall [last month]. This project was one of my favorites because it was a multi-day experience, and I was able to be involved in a number of aspects of the production. Over the week that I was on this show, I met so many new people and learned so much.

Throughout this time, I tried to introduce myself to as many people as possible. When helping out one of the fiber technicians, I introduced myself and asked if he had a few moments to tell me about his role. This led to a new connection, and, over the next few days, there was someone else on the crew that I knew.

I repeated this with several other crew members and learned that people love to talk about their jobs and help young professionals entering the business. My biggest piece of advice is to put yourself out there and see what happens.

What's the most challenging aspect of working in live sports production as a student?

As a student, the most challenging part has been figuring out what I want to do. There are so many different paths that one can go down, and it can be a bit overwhelming when figuring out which way to go.

I have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to a number of different areas, such as transmission, audio engineering, and camera work. I plan to continue to dip my feet into all areas of television production to see which path I want to take long term. The good news is that there is so much to learn!

Shearer quickly learned to enjoy the role of mixing audio for a live broadcast. A1 became one of her favorite jobs to take on a game night.What are your career aspirations after graduation?

I am not 100% sure of my long-term goals. Right now, I am taking it day by day. I am interested in how things work and why things work. A role that allows me to explore this interest through engineering or technical work speaks to me.

One reason that inspired me to pursue a career in live sports was the ability to travel to new places and the opportunity to meet new people. This is my main goal in whatever I do. I'd love to be on the road for a bit at some point but also to figure out what my interests are and what I want to do long term. I am excited to get started in my new role at ESPN this month.

Last month, Shearer got the exciting opportunity to work behind the scenes on the 78th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.What advice would you give to your freshman self?

Your experience is yours to create. Introduce yourself to everyone and always build your network. Dip your feet into everything. It is important to figure out what you do like. But it is just as important to figure out what you don't like.

Also, learn how to over under. It is one of the most useful skills you will learn in television production, and you will nev

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/07/09/svg-students-to-watch-dana-shea...
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