**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

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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.

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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

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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 Wettels, 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.

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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.