Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Sylvester Darnell Person

Sylvester Darnell Person

Atlanta,GA

Summary

SYLVESTER DARNELL

Founder | Executive Producer | Director
From The Ground Up Productions LLC

Sylvester Darnell is a filmmaker, producer, director, and entrepreneur with experience leading documentary, television, and digital media productions from concept development through final delivery.

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Sylvester developed his passion for storytelling while pursuing opportunities throughout the Midwest and beyond. Determined to build a career in film and television, he eventually relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he founded From The Ground Up Productions LLC, a film and television production company focused on creating impactful stories through authentic visual storytelling.

Over the course of his career, Sylvester has worked across numerous areas of production, including production assistance, set design, editing, cinematography, content creation, producing, and directing. This hands-on experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of every stage of the production process and has shaped his ability to lead projects from development through completion.

As Founder and Executive Producer of From The Ground Up Productions, Sylvester has developed and produced a variety of documentaries, television projects, digital content, and branded media productions. His work is rooted in a commitment to authentic storytelling and the belief that meaningful stories have the power to educate, inspire, and connect communities.

Most notably, Sylvester serves as Director and Co-Executive Producer of Unveiling Sickle Cell: Beyond the Pain, a television series created in partnership with the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia. Originally envisioned as a podcast concept, the project evolved into a professionally produced multi-camera television series designed to increase awareness, amplify underrepresented voices, and provide meaningful educational content to audiences. The project required concept development, studio design and construction, production planning, directing, crew management, post-production oversight, and final delivery.

His directing work has also earned recognition through a Best Director award for a short film addressing the issue of human trafficking. The award reflects his commitment to using visual storytelling to explore subjects that create awareness, inspire dialogue, and leave a lasting impact on audiences.

Sylvester's strengths extend beyond directing and producing. His ability to build projects from the ground up, assemble production teams, manage stakeholders, and guide productions from concept to completion has positioned him as a leader capable of balancing both creative vision and operational execution.

Through From The Ground Up Productions LLC, Sylvester continues to develop documentary, television, and digital media projects that preserve meaningful stories, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact. His approach combines creative vision with practical production leadership, allowing him to guide projects from development through final delivery while remaining focused on authenticity, purpose, and excellence in storytelling.

Guided by the company motto, “All Dreams Start With a Strong Foundation,” Sylvester remains committed to creating content that informs, inspires, and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Co-Executive Producer / Director

Unveiling Sickle Cell
Atlanta, GA
05.2024 - Current
  • Oversaw concept development, studio design and construction, production planning, directing, crew management, interviews, post-production, and final delivery. Managed all creative and operational aspects of the project
  • Developed and managed budgets for various productions, optimizing resource allocation.
  • Coordinated shooting schedules and locations, maximizing resource utilization while minimizing disruptions.
  • Organized pre-production meetings to establish a clear vision, goals, and objectives for each project phase.

Prop Master: Jack Renner

Killer Sex
Atlanta, GA
02.2023 - 02.2023
  • Swing Art
  • Designed and constructed custom props for various productions, ensuring authenticity and quality.

On Set Dresser

Twisted House Sitter
Atlanta, GA
01.2023 - 01.2023
  • Production Designer: Diana Adelberg
  • THS2 Movie llc

Maintained set continuity and executed set dressing adjustments during principal photography to support creative and production requirements.

  • Organized and maintained on-set props and set pieces to ensure seamless production flow.

Camera Op

Urban Honors
Atlanta, GA
12.2022 - 12.2022
  • Operated production cameras during live event coverage, capturing broadcast-quality footage for national television distribution.

Set Dresser / Leadman

Kemba
Atlanta, GA
10.2022 - 11.2022
  • Production Designer: Cheryl Adams
  • BET & MPI
  • Assisted with the preparation, installation, and maintenance of production environments while supporting daily Art Department operations.
  • Collaborated with directors and production teams to achieve creative vision.

Set Dresser

Celebrity Prank Wars
Atlanta, GA
09.2022 - 10.2022
  • Leadman: Brandon Agan
  • Mo Funny Productions
  • Collaborated with the Art Department to prepare, maintain, and modify production sets for episodic television production.

Set Dresser

Panhandle
Savannah, GA
04.2022 - 06.2022
  • LeadMan: Dave Hassinger
  • Mesquite Productions inc.
  • Collaborated with the Art Department to prepare, maintain, and modify production sets for episodic television production.

Set Dresser Day Player

Kindred
Atlanta, GA
04.2022 - 04.2022
  • Gang Boss: Josh Terrell
  • The Walt Disney company
  • Supported the Art Department with set preparation, scene transitions, and production design execution for episodic television.

Set Designer/builder

Sanctified
Atlanta, GA
03.2022 - 03.2022
  • Executive Producer: Javon Johnson
  • Javon Johnson Productions
  • Designed, fabricated, and installed stage elements that supported the visual storytelling and live production requirements of the theatrical performance.

Set Dresser / Occasional OnSet

Naomi
Atlanta, GA
08.2021 - 02.2022
  • LeadMan: Dura Brown (later) Dave Hassinger
  • Warner Brothers
  • Developed processes for efficient setup and breakdown of sets, improving overall workflow during productions.
  • Assisted with set construction, dressing, continuity, and on-set adjustments throughout episodic television production.
  • Collaborated with production team to set up and dismantle sets efficiently.

Executive Producer / Director

Bars & Beyond
Marietta, GA
04.2021 - 11.2021
  • (Bock Shooting)
  • From the Ground Up
  • Led all phases of development and production, including creative direction, crew management, interviews, scheduling, editing oversight, and final project delivery.
  • Reviewed finished product to determine quality and readiness for release.
  • Developed schedules for production, editing, and duplication for timely delivery.
  • Identified and approved equipment and elements required for productions.

Construction

Staircase
Atlanta, GA
05.2021 - 06.2021
  • North Center Productions
  • Assisted with construction and installation of production environments supporting documentary filming requirements.
  • Followed instructions from construction project managers and supervisors.

Set Dresser

Power Puff Girls
Atlanta, GA
04.2021 - 05.2021
  • LeadMan: Brad Haviland
  • Warner Brothers
  • Prepared and maintained production sets while supporting Art Department objectives during pilot production.
  • Managed inventory of props and set materials, maintaining detailed records for efficient access.
  • Followed production designs and met challenging timelines.

Set Dress

Queens
Atlanta, GA
02.2021 - 04.2021
  • Disney
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

2nd AD

The in-law Gang
Atlanta, GA
03.2021 - 03.2021
  • Executive Producer Jessie Jaylee
  • Taurus Gemini Productions
  • Supported production scheduling, cast coordination, call sheet execution, and on-set communication to ensure efficient daily operations.

Executive Producer / Director

Bars & Beyond
Atlanta, GA
09.2020 - 11.2020
  • From the Ground Up Productions llc.
  • Led all phases of development and production, including creative direction, crew management, interviews, scheduling, editing oversight, and final project delivery.
  • Reviewed finished product to determine quality and readiness for release.
    Developed schedules for production, editing, and duplication for timely delivery.
  • Identified and approved equipment and elements required for productions.

Camera Operator

Energy God
Atlanta, GA
06.2020 - 06.2020
  • Executive Producer: Brandon Thaxton
  • Operated cameras and equipment to capture high-quality footage for various projects.
  • Collaborated with directors and production teams to ensure alignment on visual storytelling.
  • Managed camera settings and angles to achieve desired artistic effects during shoots.

Education

GED -

Long Fellow
Dayton, OH
08.2001

Skills

  • Creative direction
  • Production scheduling
  • Script development
  • Budget oversight
  • Project oversight
  • Contract staffing
  • Strong creative vision
  • Project coordination

Timeline

Co-Executive Producer / Director

Unveiling Sickle Cell
05.2024 - Current

Prop Master: Jack Renner

Killer Sex
02.2023 - 02.2023

On Set Dresser

Twisted House Sitter
01.2023 - 01.2023

Camera Op

Urban Honors
12.2022 - 12.2022

Set Dresser / Leadman

Kemba
10.2022 - 11.2022

Set Dresser

Celebrity Prank Wars
09.2022 - 10.2022

Set Dresser

Panhandle
04.2022 - 06.2022

Set Dresser Day Player

Kindred
04.2022 - 04.2022

Set Designer/builder

Sanctified
03.2022 - 03.2022

Set Dresser / Occasional OnSet

Naomi
08.2021 - 02.2022

Construction

Staircase
05.2021 - 06.2021

Executive Producer / Director

Bars & Beyond
04.2021 - 11.2021

Set Dresser

Power Puff Girls
04.2021 - 05.2021

2nd AD

The in-law Gang
03.2021 - 03.2021

Set Dress

Queens
02.2021 - 04.2021

Executive Producer / Director

Bars & Beyond
09.2020 - 11.2020

Camera Operator

Energy God
06.2020 - 06.2020

GED -

Long Fellow
Sylvester Darnell Person