Meet the director of media and entertainment and strategic products

Albena Ivanova, director, media and entertainment and strategic products at CHAOS talks to TVBEurope about her route into the industry

By TVBEurope Staff

Published: April 29, 2024

Albena Ivanova, director, media and entertainment and strategic products at CHAOS talks to TVBEurope about her route into the industry

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Talk us through an average day in your role

It's quite dynamic and no two days are the same, which adds a thrilling aspect to my job. Some days will involve extensive travel to places like LA where I get the chance to meet customers from some of the best studios globally. Signing NDAs has become a routine, meaning my day will often involve exploring inspiring new projects that are unfortunately confidential. My role at CHAOS is incredibly collaborative, and I have the opportunity to work with various teams from product, to research and development, and the innovation lab. Whether it is addressing challenges, delivering new solutions, or improving existing ones my role keeps me on my toes not a single day in my work life is boring.

How did you get started in media? It's a somewhat funny and lengthy story, but my love for the film industry dates back to my childhood. Watching the Oscars has always been one of my favourite things to do so much so that I've had to find creative ways to watch it in Bulgaria when it was not easily accessible. Despite my parents' wishes for me to study business, I stayed true to my passion and pursued film. Following this, I combined my knowledge for film with business, studying both in the UK. As my journey continued, I found myself at CHAOS a perfect amalgamation of film and technology. It was everything that I knew and loved in one.

What training did you have before entering the industry? My training began studying film, where I learnt about the world of cinematography and was involved in several student film projects. I then opted to make the shift to studying business too learning how the business side of the film industry operated. This meant that I could then focus on how Bulgaria could develop its film industry in the future. Next, my dedication to understanding the intricacies of the visual effects (VFX) field allowed me to study it further. I have practiced with key pieces of software like Blender and Maya to allow me to better understand how they integrate with CHAOS' solutions as well as other key workflows that power the VFX industry.

Why do you enjoy working in the industry? I love the film industry because it is magic. It is great being surrounded by people who share the same passion and dedication to their craft. I see the challenging aspects of the sector, such as long hours and unconventional schedules, as a testament to the commitment and professionalism of everyone in the industry. I am able to constantly draw inspiration from the passion and unique stories of everyone that I meet in this exciting space.

What piece of advice would you offer to someone looking to explore a similar role to yours? Loving what you do is the most valuable step in your journey. It's a very fast paced, complex industry to be a part of and you have to remain dedicated and disciplined with your work attributes that come much easier to something you love. I would also say to ask as many questions as you can. Even if these seem trivial they will be deeply appreciated by your colleagues, as understanding the challenges you may face allows for more effective collaboration and support from your peers.

LINK:	https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/people/meet-the-director-of-media-e...
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