From Concept to Creation: Building a "preteen fever" Dream with Barbie Besties
My behind-the-scenes journey of collaboration and creativity ✨
I just wrapped up a project with Nickelodeon that started back in February when the client, Mattel for Barbie, came to us with one big ask: to create an original ad for their new line, Barbie Dream Besties. They wanted something that would truly capture the spirit of preteen girlhood, resonating with 9 to 11-year-olds by showcasing these cooler, more relatable dolls and their themes of friendship, fashion, and self-expression while still connecting to the larger Barbie universe.
As the writer, my role was to concept, script, and story-produce a narrative that felt playful, aspirational, and natural. The brief gave us some room to explore, but aligning everyone’s vision—client, agency, and creative team—took a few rounds. Handling feedback is all about staying open and curious. I always try to understand the ‘why’ behind a note—what’s being asked—so I can adjust without losing the essence of the idea. My goal is always to weave the feedback into the narrative in a way that strengthens it rather than just meeting surface-level requests.
My team collaborated closely with both the agency and the client, refining the concept based on their feedback. It was all about balancing the brand’s identity with something that would genuinely connect with the audience. Each round of feedback helped us fine-tune the tone, adjust the messaging, and align on the visuals until we landed on something that clicked.
Fast forward to LA, where I got to see my words take shape on set.
4 whole episodes! We were shooting 4 episodes in 3 days.
Production days were a whirlwind from the moment we arrived on the production lot, where the set designers had done an AMAZING job creating what felt like a preteen fever dream. Craft services kept everyone fueled, and the energy was nonstop—creative and production teams working side by side to bring this vision to life. From the DP to the 1st AD, every crew member made the experience seamless and enjoyable, proving that a great production is truly a team effort.
It wasn’t just about the script, either. I found myself making wardrobe and makeup decisions, ensuring everything aligned with the concept we had built. The other writer and I were tweaking scripts, throwing in new lines on the fly, and bouncing around different ideas to keep things fresh and fun. We had cast incredible teen girls, and seeing them step into the roles was surreal—they embodied everything we imagined.
Being on set is a balancing act. It’s fast-paced and fun, but keeping the client happy is the priority. Every detail matters, and it takes everyone being fully in sync to make it work. Luckily, the whole team was on the same page, and the vibe was incredible. There’s something special about seeing creativity come together in real-time—when the scripts, performances, and production all click, and everyone is having a great time doing it.
From those first concept meetings back in February to the lights, cameras, and action in LA, this project was a ride. It pushed me creatively and reminded me just how important collaboration is at every stage. Seeing everything come together—the cast, the set, the scripts we fine-tuned along the way—was surreal. And knowing the client was happy with the final product made it all worth it.
It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do—taking a spark of an idea and watching it grow into something real that people connect with. Whether it’s audience reactions, client feedback, or just knowing we nailed the vibe, this project reaffirmed that storytelling is all about teamwork and trust.
check out my favorite episode below and more of my copywriting/video work