Melinda Dilger - Producer of "Arcane" and Global Head of Animation Production at Riot Games
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
Release Date: 05/31/2023
Kate Gersten - Screenwriter of Gia Coppola's "The Last Showgirl" starring Pamela Anderson
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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...
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Lynnette Ramirez - President of Bassett Vance Productions on Leadership and Negotiating
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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...
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"The Substance" Executive Producer Alexandra Loewy Shares Secrets & Stories
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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...
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Sara Spring - Producer and Former Studio Executive
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
**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...
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Minisode - Callo Founder Fassa Sar Recaps Content London 2024
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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 ...
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Alice Brooks, ASC - The Cinematographer Wizard Behind WICKED
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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...
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Minisode 08 - Ted Hope Takeaways & Mindfulness for Producers
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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
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Ted Hope - Is There Still Hope For Film?
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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...
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Special Episode: PROOF Festival Panel - Actors/Producers On Forging Your Own Path
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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...
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Kamala Avila-Salmon - Head of Inclusive Content for Lionsgate Films
Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
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,...
info_outlineElated 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