From the time she was a child, Rene Rainey, set out to entertain people. Whether she was entertaining her two older sisters from the living room couch, winning the talent contest in second grade or entering contests to become MTV’s newest VJ, Rene had a passion for fun and a need for expression so she looked to an industry that would cater to her adventurous side – media and entertainment! Over the years, she has built a creative resume consisting of brand marketing for Estee Lauder brands (Prescriptives and Clinique), Beauty Editor (Mode magazine), independent feature films (“Kill by Inches” accepted at TIFF) and television as a show-runner/Executive Producer and network Development Executive (NBC/Universal Television Studios) for linear broadcast and digital. Rene has a successful track record developing and producing shows in genres from hidden-camera to studio competition/formats (“Last Comic Standing”, “Rachael vs Guy Celebrity Cook-off”, “Shaq Vs” and “Survivor”), to docu-soap (“Chasing Nashville” and Flipping Exes”) and straight up docs (“Making the Video” and live concerts). Throughout all the iterations of creative jobs that Rene has held, one thing remains consistent and that is having fun. If you’re not having fun making it, no one will have fun watching it! Today, Rene still likes to perform for her sisters and they still laugh! #winner
THE TEAM:
Rene Rainey
Billy Rainey
BILLY RAINEY directed the first ‘reality’ television show, THE REAL WORLD, and after helming several seasons, parlayed his talents into producing and directing his own shows, including MTV’s MAKING THE VIDEO. Being in the thick of this nascent industry coming into its own, and having the celebrity relationships he had, Billy carved out a unique niche of humorous storytelling with a little, award-winning show called PUNK’D. Since becoming a commercial director, Billy has quickly put his unique set of skills to work, shooting multiple hidden-camera campaigns for high-end clients including Old Spice, Burger King, Vitamin Water, Exxon, Buick and the NCAA. Billy continues to show run for major television networks including MTV and Comedy Central, and works in both long and short form, from traditional advertising to new media content. No matter the medium or platform, at their core, Billy’s work always consists of real people with well-told stories and good humor.
