Ask an Assistant: Lauryn McCollum (Format Development Associate, Bunim / Murray Productions)

Lauryn McCollum,

Format Development Associate,

Bunim / Murray Productions

Hi Lauryn! It’s great to speak with you! Tell us more about your day-to-day as an Unscripted Format Development Associate at Bunim/Murray Productions, the production company behind Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Challenge, The Real World, The Simple Life, and so many other hits!

Hi! So happy to be here. As an Unscripted Format Development Associate, I help support our development team with day-to-day administrative and creative tasks. I’m lucky enough to not only work under the top Unscripted TV Execs in the industry but to also vocalize and develop my own ideas and pitch talent. We work directly with top agencies, networks, a-list talent, and credible crew talent. It’s an honor and a blast all in one. 

What attracts you to unscripted content in particular?

There is a misconception when it comes to the unscripted space. Many people (including myself at one point) identify unscripted as one category: house reality. However, unscripted is much more than that. An avenue for heartfelt documentaries, entertaining competition formats, and a front-row seat into the beautiful nuances and complexities of being a human in today’s world. I'm attracted to the endless possibilities of what unscripted can be. My generation, and many to come, have a multitude of innovative ideas to shift the outdated view on what unscripted is while shining a light on stories, backgrounds, and voices from all over the world in a way that hasn’t been done before. 

You’ve worked across so many aspects of entertainment—from interning in late-night (The Late Show), social media (Ardent Collective), video production (nonprofit), and journalism (CELEB Magazine, CW33 Television) to your college experience in PR (Nu View Magazine) and news video editing (North Texas Television). How have these experiences shaped you, and do you recommend that others dip their toe in many aspects of the industry before settling into one role?

These experiences have definitely made me a well-rounded creative. As a freshman in college, I knew that being in front of the camera was a natural talent of mine and my ultimate career goal. However, I also knew that I wanted to obtain the necessary skills to be able to create my own opportunities and not have to wait on others to provide them for me. I spent my college years exploring all aspects of entertainment, learning multiple skillsets to pocket, and deciding what other pathways I'd be interested in outside of on-camera work. 

I do recommend that other creatives explore multiple roles before settling into one—even if they think that they only want to do one thing. Where the industry is today, being multifaceted can be seen as adding more value in the workplace. This is not to say that you cannot focus on one passion or do one thing, but having the skills to pick up other roles in entertainment (if needed) is a great way to be resourceful and financially secure in this industry. Also, it’s a great way to collaborate with other creatives and make dope stuff! Oftentimes you meet the best people and create the most memorable experience doing something you never thought you would! 

So true! Let's back up a little to your roots. Originally from Arkansas and also growing up in Texas, how did you break into entertainment in the first place? 

I was always the expressive, dramatic, and vocal kid that loved being recorded and performing random dance routines and monologues unprovoked. My parents would always record my brother and me doing day-to-day activities, often catching hilarious, heartfelt, and sometimes inappropriate moments (I may have used a curse word or two as a child ha!).

My parents put me in theatre classes at the age of three at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. As I grew older, my dad started putting me in his short film projects, allowing me to act in minor roles and follow him around on set. I quickly realized that this was the industry for me. 

In high school, my family and I moved to Irving, Texas, and I took Drama courses and joined the theater department, eventually becoming the student President of the department my last few years. Along with theater, I was also heavily involved with my school’s track team, being one of the top performers and setting records for the school. When senior year rolled around, many of my peers and fellow coaches/teachers each had their own opinions on the route that I should choose for college, whether it was a track career or drama and media. I’ve never been one to be put in a box, so I decided to pursue both. I ran track at the University of North Texas while majoring in Media Arts with a certification in TV Producing. 

Through my college years, I successfully balanced running D1 collegiate track on scholarship (study hall, practices, weight room, traveling, etc.), maintaining a high GPA, and being involved in the university’s television program. I began joining media clubs and gaining internships within the entertainment field…. and the rest is history!

Outside of your work with Bunim/Murray, you founded your own production company, LMC Productions, that focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices. What inspired this pursuit?

LMC Productions is a media production company that I created to provide a platform for like-minded creatives to produce and create their own content. It originally started as a space for me to showcase my skills as an actress, host, and producer. I wanted a platform that challenged me to be held accountable with my creativity and to share it with the world. As LMC continues to expand, I've been fortunate enough to work with old friends and new ones to bring beautiful worlds to life. I'm excited to introduce new mediums of art to LMC Productions soon… stay tuned! 

Can't wait. And your creative life doesn’t stop with LMC Productions. You’ve also been known to perform—whether it’s moderating the 2023 Micheaux Film Festival, acting in projects, or co-hosting North Texas television’s CelebriTea Show back in college. How has your performance background helped you in your career?

My performance background has definitely helped me in my career! I have a deeper understanding of creating art from a performative lens and how emotion, connection, and dialogue plays such a pivotal role in any form of media. As a performer, I also have a unique way of connecting and communicating with others which has helped me tremendously when collaborating and leading groups of creatives. 

I also want to ask about your work with Gyrl Wonder, a professional pipeline 501c3 initiative giving rise to ambitious young women of color. How and why did you get started with the company? Is it important for other young industry professionals to volunteer?

Yesss, I love Gyrl Wonder and my fellow gyrls! Gyrl Wonder has played a huge part in my development, not only as a media professional but also as a leader. I was introduced to Gyrl Wonder through a Slack channel during COVID. There was a young woman that posted about Gyrl Wonder opening their 2021 Open Enrollment program and she encouraged all girls of color to apply. Initially, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a part of the program, but after seeing a final reminder about the last day to apply, I thought, why not? With one hour to spare, I finished the application and had an interview a few weeks later. During the interview, I was introduced to the founder, Tola (a queen!), who encouraged me to apply to an internship with The Late Show that they were partnering with the show on for the summer. Long story short, I have Gyrl Wonder to thank for my wonderful internship at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as well as many other opportunities including meeting my coworker, Nikki Cameron, who eventually introduced me to Bunim/Murray which is where I am today <3

I believe that it is very important for young industry professionals to volunteer. Volunteering provides a space to create community, gain resources and opportunities, and to give back to that same community later down the line. We are on Earth to create and collaborate. We cannot do this thing called life alone! 

From volunteering, to entrepreneurship, to performing—you do it all! Where should we expect to see Lauryn McCollum in 10 years?

This question is so exciting! In 10 years, I see myself with a thriving media company (LMC Productions!) with multiple projects under my belt, both in front of the camera as Talent and behind the camera as a Producer. I'll be traveling the world with a mic in my hand, learning, collaborating, sharing, and having an impact on others (in preparation for my own talk show one day!)

And for assistants who are still struggling to see their own 10-year paths: what’s your best advice to anyone still finding their way in this crazy business?

My advice is to give yourself grace. We evolve day-to-day along with our ideas, views, and passions. Find joy and excitement in exploring the unknown! Take one day at a time, but do not grow complacent. Stay true to your dreams, but also know that it's okay to shift your plans to reach the goal. Be attached to nothing but connected to everything. In other word: be present, be passionate, and be determined, but do not be married to one idea, path, or lifestyle. Have fun and live life, young grasshoppers! The world awaits your next adventure. :)