Life With C**a

Earlier this week I shared part 1 of my conversation with Hollywood icon Steve Papazian. He is the former President of Worldwide Physical Production at Warner Bros. That chat was recorded back in April of 2019 and chronicles his rise from the mailroom to The Matrix.  If you missed part one, I highly recommend you hit pause and go check that out.  To refresh your memory, he started in the mailroom and rose the ranks over the course of almost 50 years at Warner Brothers at Universal. YEARS! His impressive filmography includes some of cinema's most defining moments: The Matrix, The Hobbit trilogy, and the Harry Potter films. He's been the trusted production partner for visionaries like Clint Eastwood and Christopher Nolan across multiple projects, helping bring their creative visions to life on an unprecedented scale. After witnessing the seismic shifts that have rocked our industry—from studio consolidations to the exodus of productions from California—I knew I had to reconnect with Steve for an unfiltered conversation about what we've lost and whether there's still time to save Hollywood. So today, we dive into the Death of the Star-Making Machine Hollywood, how California's Policy Failures are not setting us up for success, and why the Solution Requires Going Back to Basics.

Delighted to share a truly remarkable conversation I had back in April 2019 with Steve Papazian - a Hollywood executive whose career spans nearly five decades and reads like a masterclass in entertainment industry evolution. When you look at his filmography, you're looking at some of cinema's most defining moments - The Matrix, The Hobbit trilogy, the Harry Potter films. He's been the trusted production partner for visionaries like Clint Eastwood and Christopher Nolan across multiple projects, helping bring their creative visions to life on an unprecedented scale. Steve takes us inside one of the corporate transformations that shaped modern Hollywood - the Warner Brothers-Lorimar merger, his strategic move to Universal - and reveals the sophisticated decision-making that goes into shepherding these cultural touchstones from concept to screen.  Beyond the business acumen, Steve has a deep reverence for the craft itself. He speaks with genuine passion about Hollywood's golden era and offers profound insights into what it means to maintain creative integrity in an industry often driven by competing interests and immense financial pressures. Part two was recorded last week and drops in two days!  But first, let me take you back to April 2019 for this essential conversation about what it truly means to be an exceptional producer in Hollywood - and how one builds a legacy that spans generations of filmmaking.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a panel at UTA for a screening of ANDOR - the Star Wars spinoff series from creator Tony Gilroy. It was there that I met today's guest, executive producer, Sanne Wohlenberg. Check that out here: https://youtu.be/mGe1Ec3nhv8 Sanne is a German-born television producer working primarily in the United Kingdom. After working on multiple episodes of the critically acclaimed series BLACK MIRROR, she went on to win an Emmy Award in 2019 for Outstanding Limited Series as the producer of CHERNOBYL, followed by a Producers Guild of America nomination for The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of a Limited Series the following year. In 2022, Sanna joined ANDOR as a non-writing EP and lucky for us, helped breathe fresh new life into the franchise. During our conversation, Sanne and I discussed pivoting from law to entertainment, choosing talent over credits, and why you don't have to be a STAR WARS fanatic to fall into the target audience for ANDOR.

What happens when you combine the brilliant mind of Ryan Coogler and a bunch of blood-thirsty vampires? You get SINNERS, one of the most original and entertaining films of the year. A theatrical feat at the box office, it's grossed over 285 million dollars since its April 16th release. It was my absolute pleasure to talk to producer Sev Ohanian about how this monster movie gem came to fruition. Sev is a homie and we go way back to our baby producer days, so it is really special for me to reconnect with him after so many years. Our meet cute story is also one for the books! Sev is Armenian-American screenwriter, producer, and founder of Proximity Media alongside Ryan and Zinzi Coogler. He co-wrote and produced (alongside his wife and producing partner Natalie Qasabian who was on the podcast back in 2019!), SEARCHING, released by Sony Screen Gems in 2018. The film grossed $75 million worldwide and sparked the sequel, MISSING. Ohanian also co-wrote and produced RUN for Lionsgate, which became Hulu's most-watched film upon its premiere. During our time together, we talked about his first foray into filmmaking - an $800 micro-budget film shot on his dad's home video camera, how his working relationship with Coogler came to be, and the trials and tribulations of shooting on location in the swamps of Louisiana. xx cg

Christine Davila is a trailblazing TV executive and producer with an unexpected passion—she knows all the words to the musical CABARET.  From her early days at prestigious film festivals like Sundance and Tribeca to building the vibrant Latina Squad community, Christine's journey is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the power of authentic narratives. This Mexican-born industry leader is also a dear friend and the founder of The Latina Squad, a peer group of accomplished TV/Film executives across studios, networks, and production companies. What began as a way for Latina execs to find each other and share space has blossomed into a community of more than 130 talented women who collaborate, commiserate, and form lasting friendships. During our conversation, Christine shares insights from her path as a programmer for major film festivals, discusses the financial challenges of the producing world, explores the future of filmmaking through works like "Emilia Perez," and advocates passionately for the full breadth of humanity to be represented on screen.  

In celebration of tax day here in the US, as if there is such a thing, haha, today's episode of Angle on Producers Podcast dives into the sexy and crucial world of production tax incentives. If you find yourself intimated by the jargon, confused by the process, or unsure of where to start, then look no further! Michele Miller is the VP of Production Tax Incentives and Accounting Services at GreenSlate. With over a decade of experience, Michele uses GreenSlate's innovative tools to help producers, new and seasoned, navigate the tax incentive maze and keep more money in our projects. Buy her coffee. Or wine. Make her your best friend! Tune in as we break down the differences between tax rebates, refundable tax credits, and transferable tax credits.   *SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE* https://aop.beehiiv.com/ *JOIN PATREON* https://www.patreon.com/angleonproducers *LET'S CONNECT!*

There's nothing Hollywood loves more than putting people in boxes. Comedy or drama. Actor or director. But with the fall of the old studio system and the rise of the indie, we're seeing more blurred lines than ever before. Everywhere you look today you can find genre blends and multi-hyphenates in every aspect of the industry, and our next guest is no exception. The oh so lovely Yvonne Strahovski garnered critical acclaim for her role as Serena Joy Waterford in Hulu's Emmy and Golden Globe winning original series, THE HANDMAID'S TALE, for which she has netted an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress,a Golden Globe nomination, and two Screen Actors Guild nominations.  The series is releasing its sixth and final season tonight, April 8. Yvonne recently starred/executive produced Peacock's horror series, TEACUP. She also made her directorial debut with VLOG, a short film for which she also wrote and stars in. Her husband, Tim Loden served as a producer and her two sons acted alongside her. The film was shot in their home and took place when she was pregnant with her third child, which made it an almost part-documentary, part-narrative film. Up next, Yvonne will star and produce an adaptation of the bestselling novel, A WOMEN OF INTELLIGENCE. During our chat, we talk about making art from scratch, the importance of being a good judge of character, and the very real fear that comes with turning down a job. xx Enjoy!  

Today's episode marks an exciting milestone as we launch a brand new segment called The Sun Dial with the brilliant Rebecca Sun. An acclaimed journalist and cultural critic, she is a guiding light in media commentary, so we are lucky to have her on the show!  There will be MANY hot takes and sun puns, so prepare to bask in her insightful radiance. A sundial is often used metaphorically to represent time's passage, permanence contrasted with change, or natural rhythms versus human-made schedules.  So much of life, of success, is about the perfect balance of kairos meeting chronos; things happening when they are meant to instead of when we want them to. It's quite fitting as we are exploring the evolution of all things…from the show to the industry. A little bit of her impressive bio… Rebecca was the inaugural recipient of the Trailblazer Award at the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment's salute to women and nonbinary people in Hollywood. Her reporting has won both National Arts & Entertainment and Southern California journalism awards from the Los Angeles Press Club as well as a GLAAD Media Award nomination.  She began her career as a writer and editor at Sports Illustrated, and her bylines have also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Esquire China and New York. Most recently, she was the senior editor of diversity and inclusion at The Hollywood Reporter. Rebecca has graciously agreed to give us her hot takes on the top stories in our industry as they flood our inboxes, and, if it weren't obvious enough from that list of credits, there's no one better for the job. Tune in xx SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE* https://aop.beehiiv.com/

While some find AI riveting and revolutionary, many in creative communities are filled with fear. Fear of unsustainability, fear of the future of the industry as a whole, and fear that disembodied computers are going to make jobs obsolete while causing irreversible damage to the planet in the process. Artificial Intelligence has come a long way since we first saw Will Smith eating that bowl of spaghetti, even making it to this year's Oscars ceremony. Films like EMILIA PEREZ and THE BRUTALIST came under fire for their use of AI to amplify the vocal performances of their actors, raising questions about transparency and ethical practices. That leads me to today's guest, Alex Serdiuk. Alex is the CEO of the Ukrainian company Respeecher, the AI software that enhanced Adrien Brody's Hungarian dialogue and synthesized a young Luke Skywalker's voice in THE MANDALORIAN. Unlike other AI companies, however, Respeecher prides itself on adhering to a strict code of ethics that includes transparency, actor consent, and union consultation. I feel ambivalent towards the AI of it all, but as someone who faces my fears and follows my curiosities, it was time to poke the hornet's nest. Tune in! xx CG

*This episode is brought to you by Dolly Card, the corporate card for film production that's a great alternative to petty cash. Dolly Card is here to streamline expense management, tax, and accounting. dollycard.com* Beyond stoked for this crucial convo with two producers with films that premiered at SXSW who pivoted from other careers into producing. We had a lot of fun while also contemplating how we can leverage our collective knowledge to solve some of the crises plaguing the producers' plight.  Spoiler alert: We 100% got nachos after. Elle Roth-Brunet, producer of I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND, sits at the intersection of innovation, business, and storytelling. She's a content strategist, brand builder, and creative producer who deeply believes in the power of representation and storytelling.  She has dedicated her career to helping 40+ underrepresented voices gain more equity in entertainment through content partnerships with Hello Sunshine, ARRAY, Paul Fieg's Powderkeg, the PGA, Women In Film, and the Black List.  Mark Ankner, producer of SLANTED, which won the grand jury award for Narrative Feature at SXSW, is dedicated to developing and producing creator-driven stories that resonate with culture.  He was instrumental at Endeavor Content, overseeing advisory business, film and television packaging and sales, and creating innovative distribution models for content creators and financiers. Prior to that, Mark was a partner at WME Global, focusing on emerging voices and building companies for established talent. Some notable film projects include the Academy Award-winning CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, FRUITVALE STATION and SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. His first film PONYBOI premiered in the US Dramatic competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Esteban Arango, it was noted for its groundbreaking narrative and representation of diverse voices. Currently, Mark leads Mountain Top Pictures, an indie film and TV production company dedicated to championing innovative storytelling and supporting emerging talent in the industry  Tune in  xx  

*Special thanks to Sunset Studios, where everyone is a VIP, for providing us with this gorgeous filming location* Delighted to be joined by the Lauren LeFranc, the visionary showrunner and executive producer of HBO's THE PENGUIN, the gritty spin-off from Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN. Her unique ability to blend innovative narratives with visual storytelling contributed to the series' critical success, achieving a 94% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and attracting 10.4 million viewers within its first 11 days. A television veteran, her body of work also includes credits on AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., HEMLOCK GROVE, IMPULSE and CHUCK.  I may have spent the hour fangirling a little too hard, not sure, but our meet-cute story is pretty epic. Tune in as we discuss career serendipity, what makes an exceptional producer, and how she made us all deeply care about Gotham's devil, Oswald.  xx CG SUBSCRIBE --> https://aop.beehiiv.com/ JOIN PATREON --> www.patreon.com/angleonproducers CAROLINA'S IG --> https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa AOP IG --> https://instagram.com/angleonproducers TIKTOK --> https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa LINKEDIN -->: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-groppa-2174bb65/

In 2024, I birthed two creations: My son, Theo and the feature documentary, THE HONORABLE SHYNE. Back in the late 90s, Shyne was one of the first rappers Diddy signed to Bad Boy Records. After an explosive rise in Hip-hop, a life-altering criminal trial, and years of incarceration, Shyne's journey from rapper, to felon, to politician is one that has defied the odds. This leads me to today's guest, Marcus A. Clarke, the director of THE HONORABLE SHYNE. Marcus is a Brooklyn-born director and producer. He directed Apple's feature-length documentary, The WIZRD, following Atlanta rap superstar Future. Most recently, he directed three episodes of Netflix's reboot of Unsolved Mysteries V1 and three of eight installments in the Netflix Original Hip Hop docu-series Rapture, produced by Mass Appeal. While my human child is currently learning to crawl, my doc child is currently streaming on Hulu. Both were challenging and rewarding in equal measure.  During our conversation, we discuss the trials and tribulations of working on an international documentary, how to pivot when a relevant major controversy drops in the middle of shooting, and I finally get an honest answer about whether or not aliens truly exist. xx Carolina   SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE https://aop.beehiiv.com/   JOIN PATREON patreon.com/angleonproducers   LET'S CONNECT!

It's no secret that, over the past decade, film and television production has been slowly leaving our hub of Los Angeles. From astronomical permit costs to uncompetitive tax incentives, studios have outsourced LA's most valuable export to places like Atlanta, Vancouver, Australia, and South Africa. The COVID pandemic exacerbated the production exodus. But for some, the final straw came with the devastation caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires.  Thousands of families lost their homes, and our local crew members were no exception. With the fires still burning, filmmakers began organizing amongst themselves to fight the good fight - to keep production in LA and, in the process, bring jobs back to the people who need them the most. That brings us to today's very important episode. I got to sit down with Sarah Adina Smith and Alexandra Pechman, the two filmmakers helming the #StayinLA movement. At the time of this recording, their petition to keep production in LA has garnered just over 20,000 signatures. We discuss the impact of the production exodus, the civic responsibility on the studios' shoulders to keep our LA neighbors working, and specific action items for anyone who wants to get involved, starting at the local level. Please consider adding your name to the petition and helping the cause by visiting stayinla.org.  

In this minisode, CEO Louis Dargenzio and President John Pollack share the inspiring story of how they pivoted their business model help our community. Alongside an incredible group of volunteers, they sprung into action and created a furniture showroom for families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Louis began his career as a Teamster Local 399 Honeywagon Driver and worked his way up to become the founder of Zio Studio Services, a leading production services company, and later served as President of Sunset Studios. John is an entertainment executive using his skills to unite the community and help rebuild Los Angeles.  Learn More at: https://zellosupport.com/

It's not everyday you get to sit down with a producer who found out only hours earlier that he is Oscar-nominated and could very well win best picture. That's exactly how my January 23rd began chatting with Alex Coco, producer of ANORA. I saw the film IN THEATERS with my husband and as a Sean Baker fan, I naturally had to get his producer on the show. Lucky for us, he said yes!

In this Minisode, non-fiction executive Jamie Bovshow ("FBoy Island") and I unpack the trouble with Karla Sofia Gascón's racists tweets. Who is responsible for scrubbing a public figure's digital footprint? Is that even legal? And how can we hold individuals accountable while giving them the space and grace to evolve?    Tune in!   Bio: Jamie Bovshow has spent the last 14 years climbing the ranks across both nonfiction development and current programming, seeing projects through early stages of ideation all the way to production and post. She's developed, sold, and produced a wide variety of projects, including an adventure series starring Orlando Bloom, premium docs, dating, true crime, formats, competition, and reality. The biggest show she developed and produced was "FBoy Island", a $17million series which had 3 seasons on HBO Max and CW, a spin-off series called "Lovers & Liars", and is now being produced in 8+ territories across the globe. Before going in-house Jamie was a freelance producer and takes her experience as a boots-on-the-ground executor into every project she oversees and develops. In addition to creative, Jamie also went to law school and has a masters in legal studies with a specialization in entertainment law. She loves finding creative solutions to legal issues, and has expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, diligence, S&P, and fair use.    

According to Larry David, it is much too late to still wish you a happy new year. Since January has felt a million years long and many of us are yearning to press that RESET button, I'm breaking all the rules and wishing you a good start to 2025! It was a delight to chat with Kate Gersten, screenwriter of "The Last Showgirl." Kate originally conceptualized the story for the stage while studying playwriting at Juilliard. As a play, THE LAST SHOWGIRL was optioned for Broadway and the West End, but never went further as the team could never find the perfect, “Shelly.” After spending years in a drawer, Kate brought the script to Gia Coppola, who got the script to Pamela Anderson directly. In their first table read, Pam said every line exactly how Kate had heard them in her head all those years earlier. Tune in as we discuss her playwright beginnings, the kismet of marrying into a legendary film family, and the importance of leading roles for women over the age of 50. xx Carolina

Kicking of 2025 with one of my favorite humans in Hollywood, Lynnette Ramirez. A friend and mentor, she is also a powerhouse producer, development executive, and champion of underrepresented voices. Lynnette graduated from LMU's screenwriting undergrad program and began her career in development at Sean Connery's Fountainbridge Films, working on films such as “Entrapment” and “Finding Forrester”. In 2002, she launched a production company named Vida Films that produced two independent features: “The Blue Hour” starring Alyssa Milano and “2 Days” starring Paul Rudd and Adam Scott. In 2007, Lynnette became SVP of Development and Production for George Lopez Presents housed at Warner Bros. During her tenure, she produced several projects including the Nickelodeon hit original movie “Mr. Troop Mom”. She is currently the President of Bassett Vance Productions, where Lynnette isn't just creating content - she's creating opportunities. She's also a writer, having sold romantic comedy screenplays to Walt Disney and Lionsgate Studios. From her roots as an independent filmmaker to her current role nurturing women and BIPOC voices, Lynnette is not just breaking barriers, but demolishing them completely! xx

As 2024 comes to a close, we couldn't end the year without one final episode drop. This one is especially fitting for New Year's Eve, as today's guest is none other than Alexandra Loewy, EP of Coralie Fargeat's critically acclaimed film, “The Substance.” No spoilers, but NYE plays a special role in the third act! Ali began as an assistant at Miramax and eventually worked her way up to President of US film operations at Working Title before pursuing her current endeavor of independent producing. "The Substance" was one of my favorite films this year. I couldn't imagine a better way to close out the year than with a fellow badass who also happen to have a son named Theo. Join us as we discuss the evolving definition of a producer's role in Hollywood, the power of women in their 40s, and how the making of this film changed Ali's life. Wishing you all a wonderful start to 2025! Xx CG SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE https://aop.beehiiv.com/

**This episode is brought to you by ICEX-Invest in Spain** Sara Spring is an incredible producer and former studio executive with a penchant for Luther Vandross.  Some may call her an international woman of mystery as she has shot all over the world in places like Spain, France, Italy, England, Ireland, Jordan, Morocco, Greenland, South Korea, and Tahiti. Her uniquely holistic approach to production is a result of working for studios, production companies and as a freelance producer for 20+ years. Most recently, Sara was NWEP on Netfilx series Warrior Nun which shot in Spain and produced the sixth season of Seal Team for CBS/Paramount+. During her 17 year tenure at Paramount, she oversaw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Tin Tin, Flight, True Grit, Anchorman and Mean Girls.  She eventually took a big leap leaving Paramount for Sony Pictures where she was an executive VP of Feature Films, overseeing films like Ang Lee's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk and Queen and Slim. These days, Sara is develops and consults. She is also an adjunct professor for UCLA's graduate film program. Join us we dive into the benefits and inherent challenges of shooting overseas, her $1 million dollar mistake, and why she dreaded becoming a studio executive.  

This week, host Carolina Groppa and Fassa Sar unpack all the gems from #ContentLondon, a three days development marketplace and conference. It attracts more than 3000 leading content executives from all over the world, with a focus on creating fresh partnerships around the most progressive ideas and initiatives. Fassa is the founder of Callo, a digital platform that matches experienced, above-the-line professionals in Film, TV, and Audio for effective project collaboration. Founded by executives from Sony Pictures, Netflix, and technologists from Spotify. wearecallo.com SUBSCRIBE https://aop.beehiiv.com/ JOIN patreon.com/angleonproducers  CONNECT

If you've been online this week, or last week, or the week before that, chances are you haven't been able to escape the press for Wicked. From emotional interviews and finger memes to, as of yesterday, Golden Globe nominations, everyone seems to be talking about it, and for good reason! Every aspect of this film is conversation-worthy, and on today's episode I get to speak to the wizard behind the camera, Alice Brooks. Alice previously shot tick tick…BOOM! for Netflix and Imagine Entertainment, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and produced by Ron Howard. Other work includes Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS for Warner Bros., which was directed by her frequent collaborator Jon M. Chu. Both films' cinematography received widespread critical acclaim. During our conversation, we discuss everything from being a working mother to finding the perfect pair of Elphaba spectacles for camera. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE https://aop.beehiiv.com/ LET'S CONNECT!

This week, guest producer Bobbi Sue Luther (SYLVIE'S LOVE, THE GAME) stops by the pod to catch up and shareher takeaways on the most recent episode with Ted Hope. We discuss navigating success and despair, the power of collaboration, and why being mindful matters in Hollywood. Thanks for tuning in! xx Become a Patreon! patreon.com/angleonproducers

Welcome back to the first official episode since I stepped away to bring a little human into this world! It's been a beautiful 6 months–-filled with cuddles and diaper changes while figuring out my new normal.  In the last 3 months, I co-hosted a dinner at UTA to celebrate 5 years of the podcast, stepped back on set for the first time since becoming a mom, and took a solo trip to NYC for the world premiere of documentary "THE HONORABLE SHYNE" for Hulu.  Suffice it to say...I don't know how to sit still.  Which bring me to today's episode with the impressive and revered indie producer Ted Hope, who has produced over 70 films! He's also been a studio executive on over 60 films, CEO of a start-up streamer, co-head of 3 production companies, executive director of a film society & festival, a Professor Of Practice at 2 universities, and founder of a post-production facility, 2 websites, 2 think tanks, and an app.  And you think I do too much!  He also launched Amazon's foray into feature film production, leading them to 19 Oscar nominations and 5 wins. As a producer, his films have received 25 Oscar nominations, with 6 wins. During our chat, we dive into the failures of the current industry model, pinpoint what missteps may have led us to this period of stagnation, and ponder a question close to Ted's heart: is there still Hope for Film?

I recently had the honor of moderating a panel during the annual PROOF film festival in LA. Powered by the American Cinematheque, PROOF is dedicated solely to the presentation of proof-of-concept short films, looking to be expanded into feature-length productions or series, and empowering the next generation of cinematic storytellers. I saw down with actor/producers Margaret Cho, Michael Oloyede, and Darrell Britt-Gibson to discuss the complexities of their multi-hyphenate career paths. Together we talked about everything from indie filmmaking to the importance of collaboration, and, of course, the current state of the industry. Enjoy! xx Check out the panelists: @michaeloloyede_ @margaret_cho @chipsheridan

Very excited to share this electric convo with Kamala Avila-Salmon who is a very impressive lady. She is the first-ever Head of Inclusive Content for Lionsgate Films. It's fitting as innovation, uniqueness, and disruption have been hallmarks of every role she's had.  She leads a team responsible for developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies to ensure the Lionsgate film slate reflects inclusive stories that represent a global, diverse audience. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School, she has built her career across tech, music, film, television, and streaming. In our sit-down, we discuss the current state of DEI in Hollywood, how to be discerning about feedback, and what makes producers exceptional partners to studio executives. xx cg

We are facing a crisis in the producing community.  Regular listeners of the show are well aware of this fact because I talk about it incessantly. The challenges that make the producing career path unsustainable are now undeniable...and they were only exacerbated by a global pandemic, two back to back strikes, a market contraction, and the technological advancements and disruption of AI. Producers Heather Rae, whose latest film, "Fancy Dance", starring Lily Gladstone, drops on Apple in June, and past podcast guest Joy Gorman Wettles, who is behind amazing shows like "13 Reasons Why" and "Unprisoned" starring Kerry Washington, stop by to explain why they, along with other prolific career producers who make up about 90% of Hollywood's biggest independent, studio, and streamer producers at the top of their game, have come together to work towards change for us all. The group is called the Producers United and it's a grassroots collective of 86 career producers who are committed to fight for issues that impact sustainability for the next generation.  There are many worthy issues, but the two main ones are: 1) Basic rights, which means payment for services rendered while they are being rendered and 2) Healthcare contributions during prep, production and post periods. At the end of the day, it really comes down to education. It's imperative to educate the industry on what the producer does and how our jobs are inherently different from the important contributions of our multi-hyphenate partners. Actors, writers, directors, financiers, these individuals bring so much value to the process, howevr, unlike career producers, their revenue stream is not soley tied to projects.  The wellbeing of our entire industry depends on producers not only surviving, but thriving. Together, we can continue to support artist and be a part of the magic that is storytelling.  Head over to producersunited.com for more info. Become a Patreon! patreon.com/angleonproducers  

This week, host Carolina Groppa and Associate Producer Sarah Bockian wrap their minds around CBS' recent annoucement to no longer participate in the traditional pilot season of Jan-May, the blow that could be a strike at Cannes, and two movies that recently brought us tremendous joy.   Tune in!

We often talk about how the path is not linear, and today's guest reminds us to stop and smell the roses on the way to wherever we are headed! The lovely Tara Miele is a filmmaker originally from Long Island. Her widely acclaimed film, WANDER DARKLY, starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, premiered in competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was distributed by Lionsgate. Currently, Tara is writing and is attached to direct a Carol Burnett biopic that Tina Fey is producing. Most recently, Tara directed two episodes of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, one of my fav shows of last year, for which she was nominated for a DGA award!  She is also well known for her 2016 viral video, MEET A MUSLIM, which she created to combat Islamophobia and has garnered 45 million views. Tara is a Co-Chair of the Women's Steering Committee at the Directors Guild of America, where she helped launch the DGA's first peer-to-peer mentorship program for women, The WSC Squad.  I've been eager to open up the aperture and invite other accomplished professionals onto the show so we can hear from them, “What makes an exceptional producer?” In this episode, we dive into her unique path, producer red flags, and how she's been able to balance her impressive body of work with her most rewarding job thus far - being a mother.  

This week, host Carolina Groppa and Associate Producer Sarah Bockian dive into the fun world of short film financing, budgeting and producing. Hot tips! Do's and Don'ts! And why production insurance is #sexy. Tune in!

This week, host Carolina Groppa and Associate Producer Sarah Bockian debate Reese Witherspoon's controversial comments on AI, and "Airhead", a short made using Sora that still required many humans. Links Discussed:   thewrap.com/reese-witherspoon-artificial-intelligence-morning-show-paleyfest/ nofilmschool.com/sora-ai-filmmaker-interview youtube.com/watch?v=NXpdyAWLDas&ab_channel=MarquesBrownlee    

Thrilled to share this inspiring and electric convo with Dr. Rachel Raimist. Rachel is an episodic television director and college professor who's recently directed episodes of the family fantasy THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (Disney+), the musical UP HERE (Hulu) and the soapy drama SEX/LIFE (Netflix). She has also directed beloved episodes of THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS (HBO Max), WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA (Hulu), FANTASY ISLAND (Fox), and DIARY OF A FUTURE PRESIDENT (Disney+). We are opening up the aperture and hearing from other disciplines on what they think makes an exceptional producer, so tune in! Her journey is a masterclass in rolling with the punches…and her resilience is inspiring to say the least. She's one of those people you can talk to for hours and never run out of things to say. I hope you enjoy and get as much out of our conversation as I did. Takeaways! The importance of a supportive community So much of the directing process happens before you set foot on set The environment you foster on set is just as important as your talent and skill  

This week, host Carolina Groppa answers listener questions! Tune in as we breakdown: How to set up contracts with directors for short films and not get pushed out of projects How to networking intentionally and effectively Pros and cons of the indie vs assistant route to producing SAY HI instagram.com/carolinagroppa instagram.com/angleonproducers tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa  SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER! bit.ly/aop_newsletter

We are trying something a little different for the next two months and will be bringing you weekly minisodes to compliment the monthy guest drops. This week, host Carolina Groppa and Associate Producer Sarah Bockian celebrate Women's History Month, Carolina takes us behind the scenes of her panel discussion with Melinda Gates and we explore how AI could empower women and people of color.

Delighted to share this very special episode with the incredible lady that is Judalina Neira. I've been lucky to call her a friend for many years. We met during the early days of our LA journey and now she's a very impressive Emmy nominated writer/producer known for her work on critically acclaimed shows THE BOYS, DAISY JONES AND THE SIX and THE FLASH. She is currently bringing BEWITCHED back to life on our TV screens in the not-too-distant future. Judalina is also a proud alum of the ABC/NBC/National Hispanic Media Coalition's TV Writing Program, NBC's Writers on the Verge and the WGA Showrunner Training Program. Judalina is a Governor Emeritus for The Television Academy's Writers Peer Group. One of the things I love most about her is how she continues to give back…case in point, she is also the co-founder of La Lista - a Latina TV Writers' brunch broup in LA. Xoxo cg SAY HI instagram.com/carolinagroppa instagram.com/angleonproducers tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER! bit.ly/aop_newsletter

We are trying something a little different for the next two months and will be bringing you weekly minisodes to compliment the monthy guest drops. This week, host Carolina Groppa and Associate Producer Sarah Bockian dive into the Oscars, the RUST verdict, and whether Hollywood is still in a steady decline or simply at the end of Act II. Articles Referenced: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/01/opinion/oscars-hollywood-extinction-event.html https://deadline.com/2024/03/rust-movie-armorer-guilty-shooting-death-1235847983   LISTEN HERE angleonproducers.com spoti.fi/2XwATdT apple.co/3dGscbf    SAY HI instagram.com/carolinagroppa instagram.com/angleonproducers tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa    SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER! bit.ly/aop_newsletter    

**This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/AOP to get 10% off your first month of online therapy which you can do from the comfort of your home!** Over the moon to share my chat with Grammy® Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning actress, singer, author and producer, Cynthia Erivo.  She is set to star as Elphaba in Universal's highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit musical WICKED. But before we get to see her all in her green glory, I highly recommend catching her in DRIFT, a project that also happens to be her producorial debut. DRIFT follows a young Liberian refugee named Jacqueline (Erivo) who has barely escaped her war-torn country to a Greek island. The film World Premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews. It's a beautiful character piece and Erivo delivers a nuanced performance that's truly unforgettable. It's playing in select theaters across the US. Check out showtimes at drift.film Cynthia was on our dream list of 2024 guests. We knew inviting her would be a reach and were fulled prepared for a firm “no thank you” but we got an excited “yes!” just days later, we couldn't believe it. Thrilled to now be able to share the product of that dream with all of you…which is fitting since one of the key takeaways of this episode is dream big.

**This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/AOP to get 10% off your first month of online therapy which you can do from the comfort of your home!** Delighted to share my chat with the inspiring, delightful, and Emmy nominated Coco Francini. An LA native, she began her career as a development intern, eventually becoming Quentin Tarantino's assistant in 2011 on Django Unchained They formed a solid working relationship and she eventually returned as associate producer on The Hateful Eight.  She spent a season of her career as the VP of Activision Blizzard Studios where she led the creative development and production of film and TV content for the world's largest video game and interactive media company, shepherding projects including the iconic Call of Duty game franchise. Shortly after producing MRS. AMERICA for FX, she became a  partner at Dirty Films, alongside Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton.   On top of her prolific producing career, Coco is also one of the brilliant brains behind the Proof of Concept Accelerator Grant, a collaboration between Dirty Films, Netflix, and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. The grant is designed to accelerate the path for directors who give voice to the perspectives of women, trans and non-binary people. Eight filmmakers will receive $50,000 in funding to create short films that can act as springboards to feature films or TV series. Link in bio for me as the deadline is Friday 2/16. Can't wait to hear your takeaway! Beijos, cg  

Happy New Year, everyone!  Hope you're back rested and energized for 2024! We are kicking off new beginnings with an old friend…the prolific film and television producer, Monica Levinson.  Some of her impressive credits include BORAT, BRUNO, ZOOLANDER, DODGEBALL, Larry David's CLEAR HISTORY, Tara Miele's WANDER DARKLY, David Oyelowo's THE WATER MAN and Aaron Sorkin's THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7. Starting her career in broadcast news in her hometown of Washington, D.C., Monica transitioned into narrative storytelling by working with visionary directors including Alan J. Pakula and Sidney Lumet. She most recently produced OLD DADS, the Netflix comedy written, directed and starring Bill Burr which did really well on the platform when it dropped last October.  On top of a busy producing career, she is also an executive board member of AMPAS, PGA, DGA, and on the leadership team for the Women's Production Society.  Mentorship is very important to her and she certainly walks the walk. I count myself lucky to know her as an ally and a mentor. She's constantly giving back and she drops lots of gems during out chat, such as: Jobs that aren't exactly what you want to be doing can provide a foundation for the jobs you want Filmmaking is a collaboration - be prepared but remember you're not alone Working in production is still creative! Happy listening! -cg

Happy Tuesday! It's November 21st, my favorite day of the year because it's my birthday! It's a treat to share this episode with 3Pas CEO, Ben Odell with you as I celebrate another revolution around the sun.  Ben grew up in the U.S. before packing up and moving to Colombia in his 20s. After finding success as a writer, his producorial pursuits led him back to the states where he joined forces with the legendary Mexican director and comedian, Eugenio Derbez, to create 3Pas. Their film, RADICAL, winner of the 2023 Sundance Festival Favorite Award, is in theaters now. The film, inspired by a Wired Magazine article by Joshua Davis, follows the 6th grade students at Jose Urbina Lopez Elementary in Mexico, who are among the worst performing students in the country. Everything changes when teacher Sergio Juarez (Eugenio Derbez) arrives with an outside-the-box approach, opening their minds and changing their hearts forever.  Here are my top 3 takeaways from this conversation. What are yours?  A good marketing plan is just as important as a good story The Latinx market can't be put into a box Diversity and inclusion are imperative, but what does thoughtful inclusion actually look like?  

Hiii everybody. This week on the show we are flipping things on it's head a little bit. I'm often asked about my story, my journey, my advice...so I figured it could be a fun opportunity to have my associate producer, Sarah Bockian, take the reins as interviewer and put me in the hot seat. Sarah joined the team six months ago at the start of the writers' strike, and has been working behind the scenes with me to help bring these episodes to life. She comes from the world of development and writers' room support staff, having worked on comedies and dramas for both broadcast and streaming.  As this is her formal introduction on the show, she'd like the listeners to know two things: 1) she's available for staffing (and also Showrunners' Assistant and Writers' Assistant positions), and 2) she was super congested during the recording of this episode, and she's 90% sure her voice normally sounds less annoying. In this episode, we cover everything from my immigration to America, to egos at work, and the one set experience that still haunts me to this day.  Key Takeaways: -Make your own opportunities, don't wait for them to find you -The most valuable business relationships are about depth, not quantity -The importance of holding on to your spark Thanks for doing this life thing with me! -C

Elated and relieved that a tentative deal has been reached between the WGA and the studios. In between rejoicing and celebrating, I found myself wondering what impact, if any, this new contract will have on my fellow indie producers? Producers Laura Lewis and Brent Emery were recently interviewed by IndieWire on what role producers play in the AMPTP. It compelled me to invite them on to explore why there's a change.org petition floating around to remove that second “P” from the acronym and the need for the Producers Union, which is currently 300 members strong. Fun Facts:  The PGA is a non-profit trade organization that does not have collective bargaining power, despite a long history of lawsuits and lobbying in an effort to be recognized.  No independent producer had a seat at the table or was involved in ANY of the negotiations with any of the unions this past summer.  Hollywood has changed tremendously in the last 50 years. Labor unions have forced studios to keep up with the times and protected the interest of its members. Indie producers have no protections. It's time to change that.  Support the Change.Org petition by visiting the link in bio!  

Thrilled to share my chat with the inspiring and nimble Noelle Green, Director of Physical Production at Netflix on the Original Series.  Prior to Netflix, Noelle was a VP in Physical Production at Legendary Pictures and oversaw such projects as Kong: Skull Island and Krampus. The majority of her career was spent freelancing as a production supervisor or coordinator. She eventually began working as a line producer in the 90s where she was often the only woman of color sets of 500 or more people. This experience planted a seed that eventually led her to be one of the founders of the Producers Inclusion Initiative, a joint effort between Netflix and Shondaland to help bring up more underrepresented people in the line producer path. It's truly important work that I cherish as she's helped create opportunities for many. In this episode, Noelle takes us through digging into her grit to go from struggling single mother to a Netflix exec, speaks on the importance of inclusion in the workplace and shares her wisdom on how she dealt with the frustratingly impermeable boys' club. Key Takeaways:  Be nimble and flexible, but never compromise yourself. Lean into frustration Know what you bring to the table and then bring it to the table.

Delighted to share my chat with the inspiring writer/producer Gabby Lugo. We met at a networking event for the Latinx community and were quickly magnetized to each other. We bonded over the various parallels in our path and I simply had to share her story with you.  After finding major success as a line producer on projects like the original short for Damien Chazelle's film "Whiplash" and the anomaly indie hit that was the feature "Palm Springs", she was faced with making a decision that would have most creatives shaking in their boots: should she continue on the lucrative line producing path, or turn down her financial safety net and pursue her true passion for writing?  In this episode, you'll get the real-real on how Gabby navigated the high stress and high stakes of a journey that begins with immigration from Nicaragua and arrives to present day with the recently-sold reboot of "16 Candles" alongside powerhouse latinas, showrunner Tanya Saracho and the one and only Selena Gomez.  Spoiler Alert: Gabby's writing it. 

This week on the show we hear from the energetic Nicole Tossou who lives by the mantra:  If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready. A child of immigrant parents and proud native of Washington D.C, Nicole's career began in the NBC Page Program in New York, working on iconic programs such as THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JIMMY FALLON, TODAY, and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. She worked at A+E Networks & A+E Studios for five years before heading west and landing at Springhill Entertainment, where she was deeply involved with the development of scripted and unscripted content including Netflix's SELF MADE: INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF MADAM C.J. WALKER starring Octavia Spencer. Loved this show, btw. If you have not seen it, highly recommend checking it out. Nicole is currently the Head of Television at Project X Entertainment and is an EP on Netflix's, “The Night Agent.” The show premiered in April and was in the top 10 list of the streamer's most popular shows ever. I adored our our chat and as you'll hear, I was in a funky moment the day we recorded. She really lifted my spirits and as much as I do the show for you and our community, oftentimes these conversations become free therapy for me. Here are the key takeaways: Learning to set boundaries Stepping away to enjoy things outside of the industry to reinvigorate your spark How to feel whole and define yourself outside of your job Resources: Carolina on IG - instagram.com/carolinagroppa AOP on IG - instagram.com/angleonproducers Subscribe to my newsletter - eepurl.com/gx0gvn The Baddest Bitch in the Room - https://amzn.to/3X48AzR Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker - netflix.com/title/80202462

Elated to dive into the captivating world of animation through the incredible career of Melinda Dilger, Global Head of Animation Production @ Riot Games. Animation has the power to transport us to new dimensions, ignite our emotions, and bring fantastical worlds to life. One series, in particular, has been capturing the hearts and minds of viewers worldwide…myself included. Arcane is a visionary show born from the collaboration between Riot Games, Fortiche and Netflix. Set in the universe of the wildly popular game "League of Legends," Arcane follows the tragic story of two iconic champions, sisters Vi and Jinx and the power that will tear them apart.  It has managed to break through the boundaries of what we thought animation could achieve, captivating audiences of all ages. So, naturally, the show earned multiple Emmys, Annie Awards, and a Lumiere Award to name a few. I rarely gravitate towards animation so I was shook when I realized I had binged the entire first season. It compelled me to find out who was behind it. So, I was thrilled when Melinda accepted my invite to come on the show. An experienced leader in her field, she's worked with top players in town, including Walt Disney Studios, Nickelodeon, Universal and others. She produced over 200 episodic titles and features and is now overseeing animation production for Riot Games' television and film properties. Some highlights include: The time and empathy required to nurture artist How she energized the deflated team behind Arcane when she joined Remembering that one job interview can lead an offer for another job

So excited to share my rich and nuanced convo with Attica and Tembi Locke. I discovered this dynamic sister duo after devouring their Netflix limited series, FROM SCRATCH, starring Zoe Saldana. Once my tear ducts could no longer produce any more tears, I immediately had to find out who was behind this beautiful show.  Tembi is a New York Times best-selling author, TV producer, actor, and screenwriter. Her memoir, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home, is a 2019 Reese's Book Club pick and NYT bestseller. Alongside Hello Sunshine, Tembi and Attica adapted the book as a limited series for Netflix, which trended in the top 10 globally in 84 countries for weeks on end following its October 2022 release. Attica is an award-winning screenwriter, TV producer, and novelist. She recently co-created and served as showrunner on From Scratch. Other screen credits include Little Fires Everywhere, When They See Us, and Empire. Locke is also NY-Times best-selling author of five novels: Heaven, My Home; Bluebird, Bluebird; Pleasantville; The Cutting Season; and Black Water Rising. They are delightful humans, astute creators and I can't wait to watch their star continue to rise! In this chat, we dive into: -Why it's necessary to come up for air/refuel -How sometimes the things you fear the most end up being the greatest gifts -How to own your creative vision while staying open to collaboration   LINK IN BIO!   

On this special episode, I answer three of your questions, such as: How to crack the line producer path. My biggest “DON'T's” for someone trying to break into the industry and work as a producer That time I took a chance on yourself and had no idea if it was going to work out.  WGA strike captain Victor Dueñas also stopped by for a quick chat and broke down what is being negotiated, why now, and what is at stake for writers.

At this year's ☀️ Sundance festival ☀️, I met a wide array of talented people. Among them is Rocío Jadue, a Chilean producer that runs the Latin-American film division at Fabula. She is best known for the film A Fantastic Woman (2018), directed by Sebastián Lelio, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.