Conversations with Emmy Award-winning Producer and Callsheets 2 Cocktails Founder, Toni Bullock

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Bullock

Hi Toni, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Brooklyn native who has always had a deep love for the arts. Growing up, my grandmother kept me immersed in creative experiences, whether it was visiting the Brooklyn Museum to see exhibits or attending Broadway shows. In school, I participated in plays, played the piano, and was part of the school band, where I played the flute. The arts were a constant in my life and ignited my passion for storytelling.

At 16, I took a bold step by convincing NPR to launch their first internship program, which marked the beginning of my career in entertainment through radio. From there, I gained hands-on experience through internships in theater and eventually at Time Inc., working with InStyle and All You magazines. While I loved these opportunities, my passion for visuals and storytelling ultimately drew me to television.

At Hamilton College, I majored in Psychology and minored in Theatre, which gave me a unique perspective on understanding people and their stories. For my dissertation, I studied how advertisers use psychology to persuade audiences, which tied together my academic and creative interests. After that, I decided to take things further by attending Syracuse University’s Newhouse School for grad school, where I majored in Television, Radio, and Film. It was an intense, hands-on experience that gave me the tools to break into the industry.

After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles and landed my first production assistant job on the final season of Scrubs and the first season of Cougar Town. Getting that job wasn’t easy—I didn’t have any industry contacts. What I did have was determination. I studied the credits of shows I loved, searched for the names online, and took a chance by guessing their email addresses. I sent over 100 emails and flew to LA for a week, meeting for coffee with anyone who responded. Taking that chance on myself made all the difference. These early opportunities gave me hands-on experience across various departments, providing valuable insight into how scripted television is made and how all the pieces come together to tell a cohesive story.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, not at all. When I graduated, it was during the housing crisis and the writers’ strike. The industry was shifting heavily toward reality TV, and finding work was a real challenge. Once our shows wrapped, I quickly realized how hard it was to land the next gig, but I was determined to stay in Los Angeles.

To make ends meet, I took retail jobs at Zara and Express while juggling internships. It wasn’t easy—there were plenty of sleepless nights—but going back home wasn’t an option for me. At the time, New York had more opportunities in News, but I knew Los Angeles was where I needed to be for entertainment. So I just kept pushing, staying focused, and finding ways to move forward.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that setbacks aren’t the end of the road—they’re detours. They don’t mean you’re off track; they’re part of the journey, and sometimes they teach you lessons you didn’t even know you needed. Looking back, those detours shaped who I am today. Even now, when things feel uncertain, I remind myself that setbacks are temporary and can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a freelancer in TV development and production, primarily working in reality and documentaries, though I occasionally dabble in scripted content. My experience spans cooking shows, competition formats, travel programs, digital content, and talk shows. I’ve also worked as a casting producer and a development executive. Currently, I produce as a Senior Producer on Sherri, Sherri Shepherd’s talk show, where I help shape engaging segments and bring compelling stories to life.

Early in my career, a mentor advised me to diversify my resume. Focusing on just one genre would have limited my opportunities in others. While this path can be slower, it’s proven incredibly valuable in the long run. Each experience has taught me important lessons about the industry that I wouldn’t have gained otherwise.

For example, my casting experience—on shows like Hell’s Kitchen and the first season of America’s Worst Cooks—has made me a stronger development executive. It’s enhanced my ability to communicate with talent, conduct interviews, and identify the right people for the screen. It’s also sharpened my field interview skills.

In development, I help conceptualize show ideas, package them, and pitch them to networks. Whether in-house at a production company or freelancing for a network, I’ve learned that development is a critical part of getting a project off the ground. Unlike production, development is a slower process requiring negotiation, strategy, and creative problem-solving.

I’ve also diversified the type of content I produce, including digital content for platforms like BuzzFeed and Meta. Additionally, I’ve developed projects for publishing houses such as Vox Media, adapting their brands like The Cut and The New Yorker into long-form content. This work has given me a unique perspective on how to creatively extend existing intellectual property into new formats.

I’ve produced shows like Top Chef, Red Table Talk, The Amazing Race, and Miss Pat Settles It. I’m especially proud of winning an Emmy for Black Women Own the Conversation for our episode on Motherhood. That experience was a reminder of the power of storytelling to resonate deeply with viewers.

Over the years, I’ve realized how crucial networking is. Shows get canceled unexpectedly, and without a strong network, finding your next opportunity becomes harder. One mentor’s advice has stuck with me: “It’s not just about what you know, but who you know—and who knows you.” That advice shaped my approach to networking, and it’s been key to building opportunities throughout my career.

That’s also what led me to create Callsheets 2 Cocktails, a women’s entertainment networking group. We’ve hosted events nationwide and recently held our first Bali retreat in November 2024. At C2C, we believe networking doesn’t have to happen just at bars—it can take place anywhere: on a plane, in a class, or at a conference. The key is taking the initiative to make connections, and remember: one meaningful connection is worth more than countless superficial ones.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m incredibly passionate about advocating for diversity and inclusion. While we still have a long way to go, I’m proud to be part of initiatives that uplift underrepresented voices. Callsheets 2 Cocktails isn’t just about networking—it’s about ensuring that women, especially women of color, have the opportunities and support they need to thrive. Although we are a women-focused organization, we also host co-ed events because I believe we must continue to network across all boundaries. By doing so, we create opportunities for everyone to connect, speak, and be their best selves. I’m committed to being part of the solution, creating spaces where women can connect, collaborate, and truly elevate one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tonibullock.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callsheets2cocktails/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callsheets2cocktails/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/callsheets-2-cocktails
• Other: https://www.callsheets2cocktails.com/

Image Credits
Headshot (white blazer)- Ari Scott
https://www.ariscottphotography.com/