A veteran producer explains why he spent a 2:00 AM bidding war in a parking lot and why the most important part of his job happens behind a desk, not a camera.

Nicholas Tabarrok is a high-level film and television producer with a career spanning Toronto to Los Angeles. From the cult hit Defendor to the historically significant Irena’s Vow, Nicholas has mastered the business of independent cinema.

Nicholas breaks down the "blue-collar" path to producing and the common misconception that being on set is a producer’s primary role. He recounts the exhilarating night Sony bought his film during a midnight auction at the Toronto International Film Festival. The conversation covers the ethical weight of producing Holocaust dramas, the logistics of teaching film in Shanghai, and his current project involving JK Simmons.

Essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the high-stakes world of film financing and negotiation.