076: Film, Festivals, and Females in Charge

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 9 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week we start with an interview of Donna Smith, the CEO and Founder of 2w Entertainment Network, Persnickety Productions, and Co-Chair of Hollywood Express, Emma DeBoer. Smith, who began her career as Production Coordinator on Raging Bull, followed by positions as a Line Producer and Producer on films such as Jurassic Park, The Terminator, and Schindler’s List was also the first female President of Physical and Post Production at Universal Studios. She has also served as the Vice President of the Cannes Film Festival, was a former President of Women in Film, and currently serves as a Trustee for Women in Film. In addition, she is the president of the Bali Film Council and the United States Film Ambassador to China. Emma and Donna discuss how Smith works as a creative on projects ranging from independent to big studio productions and delve into the importance of the international market. Donna discusses what exactly her jobs have entailed and how her views on the CCI have changed. They wrap up with some insider information when Donna dishes on what she looks for when being approached with a new idea and what she thinks the future of film looks like.

In our second segment of the week Alissa Sakamoto interviews Danielle Madeira, the CEO/Founder of Madeira and Partners, a full-service creative brand marketing agency specializing in experiential events.  Danielle expounds on her experience at the highest levels of event marketing, production and talent buying. Known for her contributions to popular music festivals such as Outside Lands San Francisco and Life is Beautiful Las Vegas Danielle sits down to share with Alissa her insights on the industry, including the cultural importance of live events and experiences to communities that they reflect and serve. They also touch on such things as how the concept of sustainability within the culture of live events is evolving to reflect the change they want to see. For example, utilizing creative initiatives at events to decrease the percentage of the waste produced that goes to landfill vs compost and/or recycling. Before they conclude the talk, Danielle and Alissa discuss the impetus for launching Madeira and Partners and what Danielle hopes to see in the world of live events and festivals in the future.