How we work.
San Junipero Productions is a women-owned business founded in 2018 by lifestyle and culinary industry experts Charissa Melnik & Kate Rohmann. A full service production company, San Junipero Productions delivers uniquely creative content across all platforms. Storytellers who like to eat cake for breakfast, our work is creative, collaborative, and leaves an impact. Our clients range from PBS to Discovery Networks to branded content. With connections and crew all over the world, our roster is filled with the best, the brightest and the hungriest.
After successfully running sets as a team (Charissa as Executive Producer/Director and Kate as Head of Production/Line Producer) it made perfect sense to create a company where positivity and skill are celebrated. Our sets feel different because they are different - people are happy, the trains run on time and killer content is made. While being recognized for Emmys and James Beard awards is fun, our greatest accomplishments are the relationships that we build with everyone on our team.
“Charissa has a demeanor about her that few have, she makes you feel confident, at ease and always ready to be at your best, and perhaps it is because she is all of those things when it comes to her job. I challenge you to find a more dedicated person to their craft.”
- Chef Gavin Kaysen
Meet the team.
CHARISSA MELNIK, PARTNER
Charissa credits her success in production to an attitude based on positivity, mutual respect, honesty, candor and sense of humor. Her teams have an all-in devotion to projects because Charissa fosters an environment of strength, support and levity in everything she produces. The talent she partners with echo that they appreciate her buttoned-up, type A style combined with her laid-back, creative energy.
Charissa's network of clients range from major networks to marquis websites. She has directed numerous series for Food Network, PBS, Cooking Channel, YouTube, AOL/HuffPost and others. Not only does Charissa serve as Director for these projects, but also as producer, bringing together a synergy of right and left brain. She has been recognized twice for her achievements with nominations for Outstanding Directing in a Lifestyle/Culinary Program for her work on Trisha's Southern Kitchen and Sandra's Restaurant Remakes. Branded Content is one her favorite mediums for story-telling and she's been able to work on exciting campaigns for GMC, Maybelline, Martha Stewart and others.
When she's not on the set, you can usually find her running after her kiddos, and trying her best to get her hands on East Coast oysters.
KATE ROHMANN, PARTNER
Kate began her career in production management at MTV & VH1 where she was lucky enough to travel to Jamaica on Spring Break with Destiny's Child (#goals). From there, Kate went on to manage multiple successful productions such as Hot off the Grill, 30 Minute Meals, and Sara's Secrets at Food Network. With a solid background in culinary and lifestyle production, Kate moved from the network side to working at small, start up production companies successfully launching shows for Food Network, OWN, ID and Discovery. From there she had the unique pleasure of working for Martha Stewart at Everyday Food, and also Emeril Lagasse at ION. Over the years Kate has written budgets for Discovery, TLC, MTV, VH1, GAC,CMT, HGTV, Travel Channel, Destination America. In 2012, she started a new production company, BSTV, in the role of Vice President of Operations. She managed day to day operations as well as all aspects of production for the company on series like The Kitchen, Rewrapped, Trisha's Southern Kitchen and Beach Bites.
Kate is a graduate of Syracuse University from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She has two smart and athletic boys, and can often be found eating dessert for breakfast.
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