In this episode of the StageLync Podcast, I’m joined by Roger Melvin, a director and television stage manager based in the USA, whose work includes live broadcasts such as Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. Roger offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep large-scale, multi-camera productions running smoothly, where timing, communication, and adaptability are critical.
We talk about his transition from film into live television, the realities of stage managing unscripted and semi-scripted broadcasts, and how trust across creative and technical teams shapes successful shows. The conversation also touches on freelance longevity, navigating a career across multiple formats, and why cultivating a strong on-set culture has been just as important to Roger as technical precision.
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Host: Anna Robb
Editor: Rose Anne Fermocil
Music: Jeremy Willi
Design: Em Holt
Production Coordinator: Roselle Bernardo
Producers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis