Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa

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Britt Robertson & Wesam Keesh - TV Actors Turned First Time Producers Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Britt Robertson and Wesam Keesh are two faces you may immediately recognize.

As actors, they have built impressive careers for themselves. Hungry to explore other sides of their creativity, however, they recently produced their first project together.

This dynamic duo met on the set of Shondaland's FOR THE PEOPLE on ABC, which unfortunately only lasted two seasons.

I have personally known Wesam for many years and have witnessed his relentless hustle, dedication, and commitment to his craft. He is truly a unique and inspiring oddball of an individual and I am grateful to call him a friend.

Side note/shameless plug…Wesam also hosts a great podcast on Idobi radio called WESAM'S WORLD and I got to be a guest last year!

Talent clearly runs in his family. So when his brother, William, wanted to make his first music video, he naturally hit up Wesam to direct who then naturally hit up Britt to produce.

Their collaboration went on to become Wesam's directorial debut!

This hour we spent together showcases how supportive they are of each other, and that they clearly know how to have fun…even throughout the inevitable highs and lows of production, of life.

That's the stuff dreams are made of, if you ask me.

After 20 years as a performer, Britt admits to being a bit bored by acting and that she found line producing a welcomed challenge. Sooo, this week we discuss going outside our comfort zones, the importance of preparation, and advice to actors who want to get into producing.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this week's episode!

Erica Kay - Producer of FX's FOSSE/VERDON and POSE Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

Erica Kay is a badass UPM and Producer with over 20 years of experience in studio films and television.

A life long New Yorker who started in production right after graduating from Colby College, she recalls not knowing anyone in entertainment and discovering producing by accident.

It was via an internship on CENTRAL PARK WEST, the 90s drama created by Darren Starr, (yes, the mastermind behind SEX AND THE CITY!) that exposed her to this crazy world of filmmaking and storytelling.

She saw an opportunity to climb the ranks in the most traditional way producers get their start: the production office.

She started as an office PA and in no time, became the coordinator on films like ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND and ANALYZE THAT. She nabbed the production supervisor title on DAN IN REAL LIFE, SALT, and JULIE & JULIA.

Slowly but surely, she eventually became a DGA UPM films such as THE DICTATOR and HOW TO BE SINGLE. Then of course, there was Sam Esmail's MR. ROBOT.

Most recently, Erica produced the first two seasons of POSE and FOSSE/VERDON for FX. Both shows were deservingly nominated for a myriad of Emmys and other awards in 2019.

If you have NOT yet seen Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell create fire on screen in FOSSE/VERDON, I highly suggest pausing all life things short of eating and peeing, and binge watching it in it's entirely.

It's television gold!

In our chat, she breaks down the different roles in a production office, how tier jumping comes with a lot of luck, and why Fosse/Verdon was her dream job.⁣

You'll also hear her speak extremely highly of Nissa Diederich, EVP of Production at Fox 21 Television Studios who made that Fosse/Verdon dream a reality...

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this week's episode!

Beijos, Caca

Chelsea Winstanley - Producer of JOJO RABBIT Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Academy Award nominated producer Chelsea Winstanley fell into producing.

Her career actually began as a writer/director almost 20 years ago. Producing accidentally became a means for allowing her to direct. And then she found out she was quite good at it.

Google results also reveal that her husband is Taika Waititi. The writer/director/actor just took home the Academy Award for Best Adapted screenplay for JOJO RABBIT....which Chelsea produced. This makes Waititi the first person of Maori descent to win an Oscar. He was also the first ever indigenous person to be nominated in the category.

Backing up for a minute.

Chelsea and Taika, who are both of Maori descent, met in 2010 when she interviewed him for a documentary profiling Maori artists.

By the time their paths crossed, Chelsea had lived through more life stuff than most of us can imagine.She's spoken openly about how the lessons from childhood trauma shaped her.

At 20 years old, she found herself pregnant, abandoned by her partner, living on government aid, and surviving a car accident that left her unable to walk...all before graduating college.

Eventually, Chelsea learned to walk again...and now, dare I say it, she is soaring.

While the team did not take home the Best Picture Oscar, 2020 is Chelsea's year. With the launch of her new production company, aptly named, This Too Shall Pass, she will focus on writing/directing projects that give a voice to indigenous stories.

I can't wait to see what she does next.

In this week's chat, we discuss putting yourself first, self care, and the importance of letting creative ideas run their course. Case in point, JOJO RABBIT was a long labor of love that started in 2011. Imagine if they have forced a satire about boy with Hitler for his imaginary friend into existence before the world was ready.

She reminds us that it all comes and goes, so try not to hold on to anything.

We also laugh about Taika's crisis when he was a stripper on television and contemplated if this was it for him. How's that for humble beginning? Photo evidence. You're welcomed.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this week's episode!

Beijos,

Caca

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Fiona Walsh Heinz - Co-Producer of PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN and CLEMENCY Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

Fiona Walsh Heinz redefines multi-tasking. Prior to our interview starting, she juggled making snacks and getting her 21-month-old daughter ready for an outing with dad so we could record WHILE growing another human inside her.

NO. BIG. DEAL.

It was inspiring to witness a producer, a mom, a pregnant woman…in her power.

Originally from the Bay Area, Fiona has 14 years of experience in feature films, documentary and episodic television.

She co–produced Chinonye Chukwu's CLEMENCY which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2019, Emerald Fennell's PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN which premiered at Sundance 2020 and Miguel Arteta's BEATRIZ AT DINNER which premiered at Sundance 2017.

A fellow scorpio, we've had similar paths as physical producers earning our stripes in the trenches of indie filmmaking. She's raw, she's real, she drops many F bombs. She's a gal after my own heart.

Fiona gets into the nitty gritty of creative vs physical producing. She opens up about setting out to be a capital P producer and then finding herself in the physical producer track.

She gives an extremely thorough explanation of how a line producer differs from the UPM (unit production manager) role; two jobs that are often done by the same person.

Fiona also dishes on balancing motherhood with production and the advice she wishes she was given when she started out.

Jennifer Glynn - Producer of SOUND OF MY VOICE and SOME GIRLS Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

JENNIFER GLYNN is a film and commercial producer. She's had her hand in many indie films, including one of my favorites, SOUND OF MY VOICE written by and starring my girl crush, Brit Marling. We gush over how Brit was destined for greatness.

A practical nuts and bolts producer, she explains why the UPM and line producer roles are often confused on smaller projects.

This particularly chat was recorded in October of 2018, so you may notice that I was still learning to not talk over people....Rough to hear, y'all, but such is life with caca. Gotta show you the progress!

This week, we discuss knowing and owning your financial worth, the main differences between making commercials and films, and creating loyalty in Hollywood.

Oh, there will not be an episode next week because I'll be at Sundance the premiere of my film, SYLVIE'S LOVE starring Tessa Thompson.

Glad you're here and can't wait to hear your thoughts on my chat with Jennifer!

She has since produced and line produced multiple award-winning films. One of her early credits also happens to be one of my favorite films, Zal Batmanglij's SOUND OF MY VOICE, written by and starring Brit Marling.

Speaking of Brit, who also created the short lived THE OA for Netflix, (Yes, I'm still bitter about the cancellation!), we gush over our mutual admiration for her. It's impressive and inspiring that she taught herself writing, created roles not being written for women, and carved out her own path.

Since then, she has co-produced Neil LaBute's SOME GIRLS starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell which premiered at the 2013 SXSW Festival. She also produced BURN COUNTRY starring Dominic Rains, Academy Award Winner Melissa Leo, and James Franco.

Additionally, she wrote and directed the short SMORGASBORD starring Academy Award Winner Brie Larson and Sarah Ramos as part of the prestigious American Film Institute Directing Workshop for Women.

Jennifer has also produced a number of commercials, music videos, short films and digital campaigns. We compare short form vs long form content, and why she prefers commercials.

She also does a great job of breaking down why the UPM and line producer roles are often confused on smaller projects.

We explore finding and owning your financial worth in the marketplace. We commiserate on feeling stuck and the lack of loyalty that sometimes exists in Hollywood.

Khaliah Neal - Part 2 - Producer of THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

"You're not getting no's because your stuff isn't good. It's probably good, it's just not great. So how do you separate yourself from a lot of good material that is out there in the digital era? How do you cut through the noise? You cut through the noise by trying to put something exceptional together and not stopping short of anything exceptional."⁣⁣ -Khaliah Neal

Picking up where we left off with part 2 of my chat with the cool, calm, and collected producer Khaliah Neal.

If you missed part 1, please take a moment to check that out first and then come back.

As I mentioned in last week's post, at the time of this recording, she was finishing up THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO alongside Plan B and A24 which premiered in competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The film won the Grand Jury Awards for Best Direction and Best Creative Collaboration and is in theaters now.

Director Joe Talbot also got nominated for a well deserved DGA award last week!

We do get super real and raw this week…we talk about the hardships of the producer lifestyle, the never ending imposter syndrome, and not always feeling supported because mentorship is hard to come by. It's tricky to reveal where you are still growing, but that is the only way we can blossom. Khaliah found safe space to grow in friends like Alana Mayo, who help her navigate the growing pains of this business.

Khaliah Neal - Part 1 - Producer of THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

Excited to kick off a new year, new decade, with the marvelous and inspiring Khaliah Neal!

She is an independent producer most recently known for producing THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO alongside Plan B and A24 which premiered in competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The film won the Grand Jury Awards for Best Direction and Best Creative Collaboration and is in theaters now.

It is easily one of my favorite movies of 2019. Oh, and Barack Obama's too. it is still one of the best pitch deck's for a movie I've ever seen.

In part 1, she tells us how she hustled her way into an internship at Michael Moore's production company, a leap that catapulted her to where she is today….even if at the time it didn't seem like it. She reveals how she earned her stripes working at the Weinstein Company (pre Me Too movement) and the wealth of knowledge she gained from her time at Jean Doumanian Productions and Focus Features.

She's a busy, busy bee who has worked on very impressive projects with fancy people, but what I loved about Khaliah is her calm demeanor. Real talk, it is not a typical personality trait for us producer types.

Yet, she steers her ship with an infectious kindness, resilience, and integrity. It's a beautiful thing.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this week's episode!

Beijos,

Caca

Xan Aranda - Producer & Showrunner on Season 1 of HBO's Room 104 Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Happy Holidays! A quick note that I'm taking a wee break for the holidays, but am excited to resume with more incredible guests and chats in 2020. Until then, this week I sat down with Emmy nominated filmmaker Xan Aranda. She's a producer/showrunner/director/writer who has been described as a unicorn: a producer with both the logistical and creative brain. We've been circling each other a quite some time, so this meeting was a few years in the making. And let me tell you…it was worth the wait. Her resume is varied and impressive.

Most recently, she was the EP on season 1 of HBO's Room 104 alongside the Duplass Brothers, two of my indie heroes. In many ways, she's been a producer for over 25 years. She's spent her 20s and 30s working non-stop, and now finally fresh into her 40s, she's slowing down a bit. On her terms…which for most producers usually means simply being able to eat lunch in silence. This hour is filled with gems and inspirational anecdotes. We discuss the importance of associate producers, how she's taking part in paradigm shift post #MeToo, and what real wealth means in Hollywood.

Enjoy!

Beijos, Caca

Zoe Jaeger - Aspiring Producer, High School Senior & Our First Intern! Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

Zoe Jaeger is a senior in high school and aspiring producer.

She is also going to be our intern for a few weeks on a school assignment. She's interested in learning how she can contribute to equality and inclusivity behind the camera.

While she was born in Champaign, Illinois, she's spent most of her life moving around. Her mom, a pastor, and her dad, a retired film professor, eventually settled in Burbank, CA.

She's very impressive and quite accomplished despite her young age. She grew up watching obscure movies with her dad. Her favorite film is LOVE AND DEATH directed by Woody Allen, which she realizes is a bit controversial.

By the age of 12, she already had a career as a professional contortionist.

At 15, she left the circus and along with fellow contortionist/friend Georgia Brian, started YES (Youth Empowerment Social) Circus, a non-profit providing free workshops to underserved kids.

At 15, I bleached my hair blond for the first (and last) time and got my belly button pierced.

Now, Zoe is in the final throes of high school, gearing up for promising future. She's curious about producing, but admits being open to wherever her path may take her.

During this week's chat, she opened my eyes "climate grief", something her and many kids of her generation experience. We also discuss making an impact she asks me for life advice.

I do my best.

It was a gift to spend this time with a bright, young mind. I'm grateful our paths have crossed (thanks Eric!) and can't wait to see what she does next.

Robin Hopkins - Producer of Amy Schumer's Podcast "3 Girls, 1 Keith" Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

Robin Hopkins is in the middle of a big life transition.

She's been a producer for Spotify's "Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith" podcast since 2016. Now in it's 4th season, the show features Amy and her hilarious comic friends Rachel Feinstein (whom I adore and met thanks to the Women in Comedy doc I've been producing!), Bridget Everett, and Keith Robinson dish about their lives, pop culture, politics, and stand-up comedy.

Alas. Her time at Spotify is coming to an end this year.

You see, she just did something incredible. With the help of knee pads (aka an investor), she managed to let go of the guard rails and leap towards her dream of focusing on IF THESE OVARIES COULD TALK, a podcast she co-hosts with Jaimie Kelton where two lesbians chat about how to make babies and non-traditional families.

An artist at heart, Robin stumbled her way into producing when she realized realized she had the skills to also be meticulously organized, juggle multiple balls while keeping 47 tabs open, and truly, make something out of nothing.

Producers are sort of magical, mystical creatures. Some part of you has to believe the impossible is possible to pursue any shade of producing.

In this chat, Robin explains the career trajectory of an in house producer, which she equates to the show runner role in traditional network television. And what it means to lead by example by chasing after her dreams.

Can't wait to hear what you think of the episode!

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