Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa
ANGLE ON PRODUCERS spotlights producers from all corners of the entertainment industry to demystify the age old question: "What exactly does a producer do?". Join Emmy nominated producer Carolina Groppa as she gives you an honest glimpse into what it's like to walk in our shoes.
info_outline
Special Crossover with Daddy Dailies To Tackle The Chaos of Entertainment
06/26/2025
Special Crossover with Daddy Dailies To Tackle The Chaos of Entertainment
This is a very fun special crossover of AOP and Daddy Dailies with host Vika Stubblebine. She actor, writer, director and stand up comedian who most recently wrote on CBS's S.W.A.T.. She is a co-founder of , a social impact organization dedicated to empowering and educating women and nonbinary filmmakers through events, screenings and podcasts. The community they’ve built is truly remarkable. When you find your people - the ones who share your wavelength and want to build something meaningful together - the chaos becomes creative fuel rather than overwhelming noise. Both our shows are doing essential work highlighting the voices and experiences of those often overlooked in the industry. This crossover was a perfect example of what happens when we can come together to share knowledge rather than hoard it. Enjoy xx AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/ JOIN AOP PATREON https://www.patreon.com/angleonproducers LISTEN TO THE SHOW Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2XwATdT iTunes: https://apple.co/3FDyhmC JOIN THE AOP COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻💻 LinkedIn: / bit.ly/2BqHs8L QUESTIONS ❔Answering your questions on Tuesdays in our newsletter! Submit here: [email protected]
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/37164075
info_outline
Steve Papazian - Part 2 - Hollywood Icon & Former President of Worldwide Physical Production at Warner Brothers
06/19/2025
Steve Papazian - Part 2 - Hollywood Icon & Former President of Worldwide Physical Production at Warner Brothers
Earlier this week I shared part 1 of my conversation with Hollywood icon Steve Papazian. He is the former President of Worldwide Physical Production at Warner Bros. That chat was recorded back in April of 2019 and If you missed part one, I highly recommend you hit pause and go check that out. To refresh your memory, he started in the mailroom and rose the ranks over the course of almost 50 years at Warner Brothers at Universal. YEARS! His impressive filmography includes some of cinema's most defining moments: The Matrix, The Hobbit trilogy, and the Harry Potter films. He's been the trusted production partner for visionaries like Clint Eastwood and Christopher Nolan across multiple projects, helping bring their creative visions to life on an unprecedented scale. After witnessing the seismic shifts that have rocked our industry—from studio consolidations to the exodus of productions from California—I knew I had to reconnect with Steve for an unfiltered conversation about what we've lost and whether there's still time to save Hollywood. So today, we dive into the Death of the Star-Making Machine Hollywood, how California's Policy Failures are not setting us up for success, and why the Solution Requires Going Back to Basics.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/37069255
info_outline
Steve Papazian - Part 1 - Former President of Worldwide Physical Production at Warner Brothers
06/17/2025
Steve Papazian - Part 1 - Former President of Worldwide Physical Production at Warner Brothers
Delighted to share a truly remarkable conversation I had back in April 2019 with Steve Papazian - a Hollywood executive whose career spans nearly five decades and reads like a masterclass in entertainment industry evolution. When you look at his filmography, you're looking at some of cinema's most defining moments - The Matrix, The Hobbit trilogy, the Harry Potter films. He's been the trusted production partner for visionaries like Clint Eastwood and Christopher Nolan across multiple projects, helping bring their creative visions to life on an unprecedented scale. Steve takes us inside one of the corporate transformations that shaped modern Hollywood - the Warner Brothers-Lorimar merger, his strategic move to Universal - and reveals the sophisticated decision-making that goes into shepherding these cultural touchstones from concept to screen. Beyond the business acumen, Steve has a deep reverence for the craft itself. He speaks with genuine passion about Hollywood's golden era and offers profound insights into what it means to maintain creative integrity in an industry often driven by competing interests and immense financial pressures. Part two was recorded last week and drops in two days! But first, let me take you back to April 2019 for this essential conversation about what it truly means to be an exceptional producer in Hollywood - and how one builds a legacy that spans generations of filmmaking.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/37036375
info_outline
Sanne Wohlenberg - Executive Producer of "Andor"
05/27/2025
Sanne Wohlenberg - Executive Producer of "Andor"
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a panel at UTA for a screening of ANDOR - the Star Wars spinoff series from creator Tony Gilroy. It was there that I met today’s guest, executive producer, Sanne Wohlenberg. Check that out here: Sanne is a German-born television producer working primarily in the United Kingdom. After working on multiple episodes of the critically acclaimed series BLACK MIRROR, she went on to win an Emmy Award in 2019 for Outstanding Limited Series as the producer of CHERNOBYL, followed by a Producers Guild of America nomination for The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of a Limited Series the following year. In 2022, Sanna joined ANDOR as a non-writing EP and lucky for us, helped breathe fresh new life into the franchise. During our conversation, Sanne and I discussed pivoting from law to entertainment, choosing talent over credits, and why you don’t have to be a STAR WARS fanatic to fall into the target audience for ANDOR.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/36723530
info_outline
Sev Ohanian - Producer of Ryan Coogler's SINNERS and Founder of Proximity Media
05/15/2025
Sev Ohanian - Producer of Ryan Coogler's SINNERS and Founder of Proximity Media
What happens when you combine the brilliant mind of Ryan Coogler and a bunch of blood-thirsty vampires? You get SINNERS, one of the most original and entertaining films of the year. A theatrical feat at the box office, it’s grossed over 285 million dollars since its April 16th release. It was my absolute pleasure to talk to producer Sev Ohanian about how this monster movie gem came to fruition. Sev is a homie and we go way back to our baby producer days, so it is really special for me to reconnect with him after so many years. Our meet cute story is also one for the books! Sev is Armenian-American screenwriter, producer, and founder of Proximity Media alongside Ryan and Zinzi Coogler. He co-wrote and produced (alongside his wife and producing partner Natalie Qasabian who was on the podcast back in 2019!), SEARCHING, released by Sony Screen Gems in 2018. The film grossed $75 million worldwide and sparked the sequel, MISSING. Ohanian also co-wrote and produced RUN for Lionsgate, which became Hulu’s most-watched film upon its premiere. During our time together, we talked about his first foray into filmmaking - an $800 micro-budget film shot on his dad’s home video camera, how his working relationship with Coogler came to be, and the trials and tribulations of shooting on location in the swamps of Louisiana. xx cg
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/36574560
info_outline
Christine Davila Is Revolutionizing Hollywood One Authentic Story at a Time
05/06/2025
Christine Davila Is Revolutionizing Hollywood One Authentic Story at a Time
Christine Davila is a trailblazing TV executive and producer with an unexpected passion—she knows all the words to the musical CABARET. From her early days at prestigious film festivals like Sundance and Tribeca to building the vibrant Latina Squad community, Christine's journey is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the power of authentic narratives. This Mexican-born industry leader is also a dear friend and the founder of The Latina Squad, a peer group of accomplished TV/Film executives across studios, networks, and production companies. What began as a way for Latina execs to find each other and share space has blossomed into a community of more than 130 talented women who collaborate, commiserate, and form lasting friendships. During our conversation, Christine shares insights from her path as a programmer for major film festivals, discusses the financial challenges of the producing world, explores the future of filmmaking through works like "Emilia Perez," and advocates passionately for the full breadth of humanity to be represented on screen.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/36450155
info_outline
Minisode - Maximizing Tax Credits with GreenSlate's Michele Miller
04/15/2025
Minisode - Maximizing Tax Credits with GreenSlate's Michele Miller
In celebration of tax day here in the US, as if there is such a thing, haha, today’s episode of dives into the sexy and crucial world of production tax incentives. If you find yourself intimated by the jargon, confused by the process, or unsure of where to start, then look no further! is the VP of Production Tax Incentives and Accounting Services at . With over a decade of experience, Michele uses GreenSlate's innovative tools to help producers, new and seasoned, navigate the tax incentive maze and keep more money in our projects. Buy her coffee. Or wine. Make her your best friend! Tune in as we break down the differences between tax rebates, refundable tax credits, and transferable tax credits. *SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE* https://aop.beehiiv.com/ *JOIN PATREON* https://www.patreon.com/angleonproducers *LET’S CONNECT!* 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻💻 LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-groppa-2174bb65/
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/36153570
info_outline
Yvonne Strahovski Says Goodbye to "Handmaid's Tale" and Hello to Producing
04/08/2025
Yvonne Strahovski Says Goodbye to "Handmaid's Tale" and Hello to Producing
There’s nothing Hollywood loves more than putting people in boxes. Comedy or drama. Actor or director. But with the fall of the old studio system and the rise of the indie, we’re seeing more blurred lines than ever before. Everywhere you look today you can find genre blends and multi-hyphenates in every aspect of the industry, and our next guest is no exception. The oh so lovely Yvonne Strahovski garnered critical acclaim for her role as Serena Joy Waterford in Hulu’s Emmy and Golden Globe winning original series, THE HANDMAID’S TALE, for which she has netted an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress,a Golden Globe nomination, and two Screen Actors Guild nominations. The series is releasing its sixth and final season tonight, April 8. Yvonne recently starred/executive produced Peacock’s horror series, TEACUP. She also made her directorial debut with VLOG, a short film for which she also wrote and stars in. Her husband, Tim Loden served as a producer and her two sons acted alongside her. The film was shot in their home and took place when she was pregnant with her third child, which made it an almost part-documentary, part-narrative film. Up next, Yvonne will star and produce an adaptation of the bestselling novel, A WOMEN OF INTELLIGENCE. During our chat, we talk about making art from scratch, the importance of being a good judge of character, and the very real fear that comes with turning down a job. xx Enjoy!
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/36048530
info_outline
Introducing: The Sun Dial with Rebecca Sun
04/01/2025
Introducing: The Sun Dial with Rebecca Sun
Today's episode marks an exciting milestone as we launch a brand new segment called The Sun Dial with the brilliant Rebecca Sun. An acclaimed journalist and cultural critic, she is a guiding light in media commentary, so we are lucky to have her on the show! There will be MANY hot takes and sun puns, so prepare to bask in her insightful radiance. A sundial is often used metaphorically to represent time's passage, permanence contrasted with change, or natural rhythms versus human-made schedules. So much of life, of success, is about the perfect balance of kairos meeting chronos; things happening when they are meant to instead of when we want them to. It’s quite fitting as we are exploring the evolution of all things…from the show to the industry. A little bit of her impressive bio… Rebecca was the inaugural recipient of the Trailblazer Award at the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment’s salute to women and nonbinary people in Hollywood. Her reporting has won both National Arts & Entertainment and Southern California journalism awards from the Los Angeles Press Club as well as a GLAAD Media Award nomination. She began her career as a writer and editor at Sports Illustrated, and her bylines have also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Esquire China and New York. Most recently, she was the senior editor of diversity and inclusion at The Hollywood Reporter. Rebecca has graciously agreed to give us her hot takes on the top stories in our industry as they flood our inboxes, and, if it weren’t obvious enough from that list of credits, there’s no one better for the job. Tune in xx SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE*
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35959820
info_outline
Facing the Fear: AI & Future of Entertainment
03/25/2025
Facing the Fear: AI & Future of Entertainment
While some find AI riveting and revolutionary, many in creative communities are filled with fear. Fear of unsustainability, fear of the future of the industry as a whole, and fear that disembodied computers are going to make jobs obsolete while causing irreversible damage to the planet in the process. Artificial Intelligence has come a long way since we first saw Will Smith eating that bowl of spaghetti, even making it to this year’s Oscars ceremony. Films like EMILIA PEREZ and THE BRUTALIST came under fire for their use of AI to amplify the vocal performances of their actors, raising questions about transparency and ethical practices. That leads me to today’s guest, Alex Serdiuk. Alex is the CEO of the Ukrainian company Respeecher, the AI software that enhanced Adrien Brody’s Hungarian dialogue and synthesized a young Luke Skywalker’s voice in THE MANDALORIAN. Unlike other AI companies, however, Respeecher prides itself on adhering to a strict code of ethics that includes transparency, actor consent, and union consultation. I feel ambivalent towards the AI of it all, but as someone who faces my fears and follows my curiosities, it was time to poke the hornet's nest. Tune in! xx CG
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35850485
info_outline
Career Pivot with SXSW Producers Elle Roth-Brunet and Mark Ankner
03/18/2025
Career Pivot with SXSW Producers Elle Roth-Brunet and Mark Ankner
*This episode is brought to you by Dolly Card, the corporate card for film production that’s a great alternative to petty cash. Dolly Card is here to streamline expense management, tax, and accounting. Beyond stoked for this crucial convo with two producers with films that premiered at SXSW who pivoted from other careers into producing. We had a lot of fun while also contemplating how we can leverage our collective knowledge to solve some of the crises plaguing the producers' plight. Spoiler alert: We 100% got nachos after. Elle Roth-Brunet, producer of I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND, sits at the intersection of innovation, business, and storytelling. She's a content strategist, brand builder, and creative producer who deeply believes in the power of representation and storytelling. She has dedicated her career to helping 40+ underrepresented voices gain more equity in entertainment through content partnerships with Hello Sunshine, ARRAY, Paul Fieg's Powderkeg, the PGA, Women In Film, and the Black List. Mark Ankner, producer of SLANTED, which won the grand jury award for Narrative Feature at SXSW, is dedicated to developing and producing creator-driven stories that resonate with culture. He was instrumental at Endeavor Content, overseeing advisory business, film and television packaging and sales, and creating innovative distribution models for content creators and financiers. Prior to that, Mark was a partner at WME Global, focusing on emerging voices and building companies for established talent. Some notable film projects include the Academy Award-winning CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, FRUITVALE STATION and SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. His first film PONYBOI premiered in the US Dramatic competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Esteban Arango, it was noted for its groundbreaking narrative and representation of diverse voices. Currently, Mark leads Mountain Top Pictures, an indie film and TV production company dedicated to championing innovative storytelling and supporting emerging talent in the industry Tune in xx
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35750410
info_outline
THE PENGUIN Showrunner Lauren LeFranc Creates Sympathy for Gotham's Devil
03/04/2025
THE PENGUIN Showrunner Lauren LeFranc Creates Sympathy for Gotham's Devil
*Special thanks to Sunset Studios, where everyone is a VIP, for providing us with this gorgeous filming location* Delighted to be joined by the Lauren LeFranc, the visionary showrunner and executive producer of HBO's THE PENGUIN, the gritty spin-off from Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN. Her unique ability to blend innovative narratives with visual storytelling contributed to the series' critical success, achieving a 94% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and attracting 10.4 million viewers within its first 11 days. A television veteran, her body of work also includes credits on AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., HEMLOCK GROVE, IMPULSE and CHUCK. I may have spent the hour fangirling a little too hard, not sure, but our meet-cute story is pretty epic. Tune in as we discuss career serendipity, what makes an exceptional producer, and how she made us all deeply care about Gotham’s devil, Oswald. xx CG SUBSCRIBE --> JOIN PATREON --> CAROLINA'S IG --> AOP IG --> TIKTOK --> LINKEDIN -->:
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35524155
info_outline
The Twist and Turns to Bring THE HONORABLE SHYNE to Life
02/27/2025
The Twist and Turns to Bring THE HONORABLE SHYNE to Life
In 2024, I birthed two creations: My son, Theo and the feature documentary, THE HONORABLE SHYNE. Back in the late 90s, Shyne was one of the first rappers Diddy signed to Bad Boy Records. After an explosive rise in Hip-hop, a life-altering criminal trial, and years of incarceration, Shyne’s journey from rapper, to felon, to politician is one that has defied the odds. This leads me to today’s guest, Marcus A. Clarke, the director of THE HONORABLE SHYNE. Marcus is a Brooklyn-born director and producer. He directed Apple's feature-length documentary, The WIZRD, following Atlanta rap superstar Future. Most recently, he directed three episodes of Netflix's reboot of Unsolved Mysteries V1 and three of eight installments in the Netflix Original Hip Hop docu-series Rapture, produced by Mass Appeal. While my human child is currently learning to crawl, my doc child is currently streaming on Hulu. Both were challenging and rewarding in equal measure. During our conversation, we discuss the trials and tribulations of working on an international documentary, how to pivot when a relevant major controversy drops in the middle of shooting, and I finally get an honest answer about whether or not aliens truly exist. xx Carolina SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE https://aop.beehiiv.com/ JOIN PATREON patreon.com/angleonproducers LET’S CONNECT! 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻💻 LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-groppa-2174bb65/
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35450955
info_outline
Minisode - The Fight For Production to #StayinLA
02/21/2025
Minisode - The Fight For Production to #StayinLA
It’s no secret that, over the past decade, film and television production has been slowly leaving our hub of Los Angeles. From astronomical permit costs to uncompetitive tax incentives, studios have outsourced LA’s most valuable export to places like Atlanta, Vancouver, Australia, and South Africa. The COVID pandemic exacerbated the production exodus. But for some, the final straw came with the devastation caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Thousands of families lost their homes, and our local crew members were no exception. With the fires still burning, filmmakers began organizing amongst themselves to fight the good fight - to keep production in LA and, in the process, bring jobs back to the people who need them the most. That brings us to today’s very important episode. I got to sit down with Sarah Adina Smith and Alexandra Pechman, the two filmmakers helming the #StayinLA movement. At the time of this recording, their petition to keep production in LA has garnered just over 20,000 signatures. We discuss the impact of the production exodus, the civic responsibility on the studios’ shoulders to keep our LA neighbors working, and specific action items for anyone who wants to get involved, starting at the local level. Please consider adding your name to the petition and helping the cause by visiting stayinla.org.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35374845
info_outline
Honeywagons to Hollywood: Rebuilding LA with Zello Support
02/18/2025
Honeywagons to Hollywood: Rebuilding LA with Zello Support
In this minisode, CEO Louis Dargenzio and President John Pollak share the inspiring story of how they pivoted their business model help our community. Alongside an incredible group of volunteers, they sprung into action and created a furniture showroom for families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Louis began his career as a Teamster Local 399 Honeywagon Driver and worked his way up to become the founder of Zio Studio Services, a leading production services company, and later served as President of Sunset Studios. John is an entertainment executive using his skills to unite the community and help rebuild Los Angeles. Learn More at: https://zellosupport.com/
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35325070
info_outline
Alex Coco - Producer of the Academy Award Nominated ANORA
02/11/2025
Alex Coco - Producer of the Academy Award Nominated ANORA
It’s not everyday you get to sit down with a producer who found out only hours earlier that he is Oscar-nominated and could very well win best picture. That’s exactly how my January 23rd began chatting with Alex Coco, producer of ANORA. I saw the film IN THEATERS with my husband and as a Sean Baker fan, I naturally had to get his producer on the show. Lucky for us, he said yes! 😃 In between a diaper change for his 3 month old son, Alex was astonished, to say the least, when he heard his name announced. He’s been having quite the ride. This past weekend ANORA scooped 7 Critic’s Choice Awards, including Best Picture AND the Eagles won the Superbowl. He’s def #winning. What transpired is an illuminating conversation on the genesis of his working relationship with Sean Baker, the importance of shooting your shot, and the value of leaving your ego at the door. Alex has produced multiple Cannes premieres such as Red Rocket and The Sweet East, as well as Pet Shop Days, which debuted at the Venice Film Festival. He also produced Champ (2022) and Power Signal (2023), both Sundance Film Festival selections. Other producing credits include music videos for Childish Gambino’s “Lithonia” (2024) and Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” (2024).
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35233510
info_outline
Minisode - Jamie Bovshow (FBoy Island) Unpacks Who Is Responsible For Scrubbing Karla Sofia Gascón's Digital Footprint?
02/04/2025
Minisode - Jamie Bovshow (FBoy Island) Unpacks Who Is Responsible For Scrubbing Karla Sofia Gascón's Digital Footprint?
In this Minisode, non-fiction executive Jamie Bovshow ("FBoy Island") and I unpack the trouble with Karla Sofia Gascón's racists tweets. Who is responsible for scrubbing a public figure's digital footprint? Is that even legal? And how can we hold individuals accountable while giving them the space and grace to evolve? Tune in! Bio: Jamie Bovshow has spent the last 14 years climbing the ranks across both nonfiction development and current programming, seeing projects through early stages of ideation all the way to production and post. She's developed, sold, and produced a wide variety of projects, including an adventure series starring Orlando Bloom, premium docs, dating, true crime, formats, competition, and reality. The biggest show she developed and produced was "FBoy Island", a $17million series which had 3 seasons on HBO Max and CW, a spin-off series called "Lovers & Liars", and is now being produced in 8+ territories across the globe. Before going in-house Jamie was a freelance producer and takes her experience as a boots-on-the-ground executor into every project she oversees and develops. In addition to creative, Jamie also went to law school and has a masters in legal studies with a specialization in entertainment law. She loves finding creative solutions to legal issues, and has expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, diligence, S&P, and fair use.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35148390
info_outline
Kate Gersten - Screenwriter of Gia Coppola's "The Last Showgirl" starring Pamela Anderson
01/28/2025
Kate Gersten - Screenwriter of Gia Coppola's "The Last Showgirl" starring Pamela Anderson
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 a drawer, Kate brought the script to Gia Coppola, who got the script to Pamela Anderson directly. In their first table read, Pam said every line exactly how Kate had heard them in her head all those years earlier. Tune in as we discuss her playwright beginnings, the kismet of marrying into a legendary film family, and the importance of leading roles for women over the age of 50. xx Carolina
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/35040455
info_outline
Lynnette Ramirez - President of Bassett Vance Productions on Leadership and Negotiating
01/07/2025
Lynnette Ramirez - President of Bassett Vance Productions on Leadership and Negotiating
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 Scott. In 2007, Lynnette became SVP of Development and Production for George Lopez Presents housed at Warner Bros. During her tenure, she produced several projects including the Nickelodeon hit original movie “Mr. Troop Mom”. She is currently the President of Bassett Vance Productions, where Lynnette isn't just creating content - she's creating opportunities. She’s also a writer, having sold romantic comedy screenplays to Walt Disney and Lionsgate Studios. From her roots as an independent filmmaker to her current role nurturing women and BIPOC voices, Lynnette is not just breaking barriers, but demolishing them completely! xx
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34752585
info_outline
"The Substance" Executive Producer Alexandra Loewy Shares Secrets & Stories
12/31/2024
"The Substance" Executive Producer Alexandra Loewy Shares Secrets & Stories
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 way to close out the year than with a fellow badass who also happen to have a son named Theo. Join us as we discuss the evolving definition of a producer's role in Hollywood, the power of women in their 40s, and how the making of this film changed Ali’s life. Wishing you all a wonderful start to 2025! Xx CG SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE https://aop.beehiiv.com/
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34667300
info_outline
Sara Spring - Producer and Former Studio Executive
12/20/2024
Sara Spring - Producer and Former Studio Executive
**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.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34544255
info_outline
Minisode - Callo Founder Fassa Sar Recaps Content London 2024
12/17/2024
Minisode - Callo Founder Fassa Sar Recaps Content London 2024
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 JOIN patreon.com/angleonproducers CONNECT 📸 Instagram: / / carolinagroppa | / angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / / carolina_groppa 👩🏻💻 LinkedIn: / / carolina-groppa-2174bb65
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34482285
info_outline
Alice Brooks, ASC - The Cinematographer Wizard Behind WICKED
12/10/2024
Alice Brooks, ASC - The Cinematographer Wizard Behind WICKED
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. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE LET’S CONNECT! 📸 Instagram: @carolinagroppa | @angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / carolina_groppa 👩🏻💻 LinkedIn: / carolina-groppa-2174bb65
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34369265
info_outline
Minisode - Ted Hope Takeaways & Mindfulness for Producers
12/03/2024
Minisode - Ted Hope Takeaways & Mindfulness for Producers
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
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34260525
info_outline
Ted Hope - Is There Still Hope For Film?
11/26/2024
Ted Hope - Is There Still Hope For Film?
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?
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34152155
info_outline
Special Episode: PROOF Festival Panel - Actors/Producers On Forging Your Own Path
11/19/2024
Special Episode: PROOF Festival Panel - Actors/Producers On Forging Your Own Path
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:
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/34004637
info_outline
Kamala Avila-Salmon - Head of Inclusive Content for Lionsgate Films
05/28/2024
Kamala Avila-Salmon - Head of Inclusive Content for Lionsgate Films
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
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/31490082
info_outline
Minisode 07 - Can You Imagine Hollywood Without Producers?
05/14/2024
Minisode 07 - Can You Imagine Hollywood Without Producers?
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. Become a Patreon! patreon.com/angleonproducers
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/31294432
info_outline
Minisode 06 - Cannes Strike, THE FALL GUY, and is pilot season officially over?
05/07/2024
Minisode 06 - Cannes Strike, THE FALL GUY, and is pilot season officially over?
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!
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/31176352
info_outline
Tara Miele - Writer/Director of WANDER DARKLY and Director of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
04/30/2024
Tara Miele - Writer/Director of WANDER DARKLY and Director of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
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, 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.
/episode/index/show/lifewithcaca/id/31053888