Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa

Hannah Lux is a powerhouse music video and commercial director who's created iconic visuals for Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne. But her path to the director's chair wasn't traditional. Hannah shares her 20-plus-year journey in LA—from working as a makeup artist on set to directing Lil Wayne, Drake, and Future on "Love Me," which now has over 620 million views. We dive deep into the making of Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next," the video that broke YouTube records with 50 million views in 24 hours, and how she navigated legal clearances, celebrity cameos, and a three-day shoot while pregnant. We also talk about why communication and people management are often harder than the creative work, how to balance an artist's brand with your own vision, and what it takes to be a consistently working director.   xx CG AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/   WATCH ON YOUTUBE   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: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com  

Happy Tuesday! Today is 11/11, a series of numbers that many see as a symbol of spiritual awakening, synchronicity, and alignment with the universe. I'm not too superstitious about these things, but when I catch it, it brings a smile to my face. Is it divine intervention or coincidence? And does it matter? In thinking about alignment, it feels very apropos to be sharing this particular conversation today with self-described nerdy fangirls Adamma and Adanne Ebo, the identical twin powerhouse behind the indie breakout film Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. We met making this film back in 2021—I remember we were in prep when the Ebos were about to turn 30. The incredible ascension they've experienced over these last five years is the epitome of alignment and synchronicity. Shortly after wrapping Honk, Adamma was tapped to direct her first television episode on Donald Glover's Atlanta—the kind of opportunity that only comes when talent meets the right moment. Timing really is everything, and while their success is absolutely the product of talent, hard work, and vision, there's also been a beautiful alignment of opportunities, relationships, and moments that propelled them forward. Call it luck, call it the universe conspiring—either way, their story is inspiring. From their days at Spelman College to making their feature debut with Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul, they've blazed their own path in this industry. Honk premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance in 2022 and sold to Focus Features. The film stars Sterling K. Brown—who was also on the podcast this season with wonderful stories about working with the Ebos—and the incomparable Regina Hall, who delivers a masterclass performance as the first lady of a Southern megachurch. Since then, they've written and produced on some of the buzziest shows in recent TV: Peacock's Poker Face, Amazon's Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Swarm. They're now a sought-after creative duo with an overall deal at Sony Television. Today we're diving into how they protected their artistic vision as first-time filmmakers, why confidence matters more than experience, and how their twin relationship became their secret weapon in Hollywood. xx cg   AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/   LISTEN TO THE SHOW Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6UBux9RgxeW1MiQDXSMrnr 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: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com

Today's guest is Adrin Nazarian—former California State Assemblyman who helped triple the film tax credit from $100 million to $330 million during his decade in Sacramento, and now an LA City Councilmember who's fought to get that credit up to $750 million. Back in March, Adrin filed a motion with ten specific permitting reforms that passed city council unanimously unanimously to direct the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) to report back within 30 days on the feasibility of these proposed changes using input from the LAFD, LAPD, Recreation & Parks, DWP, DOT, Bureau of Public Works, and FilmLA. It's now November. As of this recording on October 29th, the CLA report is 150 days overdue. So yes, I ask the hard questions. Where is that report? (I'm told it's coming any day now!). What does it mean to be "nimble" in the world of politics when everything takes so long? We get into the real progress that is happening, even if imperfect. We have an honest dialogue about what we've lost. How tentpole productions left while the streaming boom kept everyone busy, until that bubble popped and companies realized the spending wasn't sustainable. How we've spent a decade training workforces in other states while our decline was masked by volume. And how policymakers took entertainment for granted because tech wealth was flooding in. But we also talk about how we're building it back. Adrin is refreshingly honest that the industry has been so successful for so long that nobody could have imagined it would ever cease to exist, much less look at the trajectory with concern because the receipts were still coming in. But now we're here. And there's a generation hungry for this work, ready to innovate and push the industry to new limits. That's what this fight is actually about. Not preserving nostalgia, but building the future. xx CG AOP SUBSTACK 📫 https://angleonproducers.substack.com/ 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: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com

*Today's episode is brought to you by InkTip, a trusted cornerstone of the independent film industry, connecting talented filmmakers with visionary screenwriters. Head to InkTip.com to learn more.* What does it take to transition from behind the camera to the director's chair? In this inspiring conversation, Jihane Mrad Balaa shares her remarkable 20-year journey from Lebanese immigrant to working on major shows like American Horror Story, 9-1-1, and Bumblebee—before finally making the leap to directing her own feature film. Jihane opens up about: ✨ Why being "normal and pleasant" is her secret to success in Hollywood 🎬 How she found her feature film script on InkTip 💪 The harsh realities of producing your first independent film 🎥 Shooting a murder mystery feature in 10 days 👥 What she learned observing 50+ directors—both good and bad 🚀 How diversity hiring became her "foot in the door" and why she embraced it This conversation is packed with honest, tactical advice for anyone looking to transition between departments or produce their first project. Whether you're a camera operator dreaming of directing, a PA trying to move up, or a filmmaker seeking financing, Jihane's story proves that with persistence, positivity, and the right partnerships, anything is possible.  xx cg   AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/   WATCH/LISTEN Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angleonproducers Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6UBux9RgxeW1MiQDXSMrnr 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

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we recorded a special roundtable episode to amplify three powerhouse Latina executives reshaping Hollywood: ✨ Erika Kennair - Head of Scripted for Mediapro Studios. Created NBC's Writers on the Verge, which helped launch many including Lauren LeFranc, showrunner of the Emmy award winning series The Penguin. ✨ Sonia Almanza Gambaro - Producer and President of Pollinate Entertainment. Executive Producer of Acapulco for Apple TV+ ✨ Rocio Melara - Producer. Former executive a Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad. W​e get into the juicy bits of what it's like to be the only Latina in the room, authentic representation beyond stereotypes, and how ​#​LatinaSquad (shoutout Christine Davila​ 👏) is changing the game for executives across the industry. Tune in to this crucial conversation about power, persistence, and community.   AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/ JOIN AOP PATREON https://www.patreon.com/angleonproducers JOIN THE AOP COMMUNITY  📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn: / bit.ly/2BqHs8L

Delighted to share this chat with Maryam Mehrtash, an entertainment executive specializing in global marketing and brand partnerships. Her journey embodies the American dream - from fleeing Iran as a refugee at age two to becoming a key player behind one of the most successful streaming platform launches in recent history. Maryam helped traditional media companies pivot from linear to digital during the early days when digital was still treated as a "stepchild." She was part of the team at CBS Interactive that had the first-mover advantage in streaming with CBS All Access, then led the go-to-market strategy for the rebrand to Paramount Plus - all while pregnant and during one of the most pivotal moments in our industry's history. She brings a unique perspective on everything from the economics of peak TV to what producers should know about brand integration in storytelling. She's also a part of the vibrant Iranian diaspora in Hollywood and is on the board of Waterwell, a non-profit co-founded by Award-winning actor Arian Moayed. Having lived through the streaming wars from the inside, Maryam offers a front-row perspective that's invaluable for understanding where our industry has been and where it's headed. Tune in as we explore her journey and new role leading marketing partnerships at Disney Marvel,  the complex world of brand partnerships, her Substack "This Is Not a Memo", and learn how her family's legacy drives her to greatness. Enjoy xx CG   AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/   JOIN AOP PATREON https://www.patreon.com/angleonproducers   JOIN THE AOP COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok:   / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn:   / bit.ly/2BqHs8L   MORE ON MARYAM https://instagram.com/maryammehrtash https://thisisnotamemo.substack.com/

Madelaine Petsch has a penchant for divisive female characters.You may know her best as from her role as Cheryl Blossom in the CW's hit series Riverdale," which ran for 7 seasons. She's recently been evolving into one of Hollywood's most promising young producers. She's currently starring in and producing the next installment of "The Strangers" horror trilogy for Lionsgate, which hits theaters this Friday, September 26th. You can also catch her in the Amazon rom-com "Maintenance Required" on October 8th. In one film she's being chased by masked strangers; in the other, she's running from love. It was exciting to catch Madelaine in these early days of her shift into producing, especially when so many are skeptical of that leap. She's refreshingly candid about the brutal realities of fame—death threats, having her address posted online, and the strategic decision to delete her entire YouTube channel after millions of views. We explore how her South African immigrant parents shaped her work ethic, why she's drawn to complex female characters, and the politics of producer credits. And yes, before you ask—she can change your brake pads. xx CG

Jamal Watson's journey from South Central to Hollywood executive exemplifies the power of storytelling to transform lives. After finding inspiration in film during his youth, he started at Sony Pictures as a tour guide in 2003, building industry connections that would prove invaluable. His career accelerated through roles at Deluxe Film Services and a pivotal 2010 internship at Overbrook Entertainment, where he spent a decade rising from intern to Vice President. During this time, he produced acclaimed projects including "SPRINTER" (ABFF winner, African Academy Award nominee), "HALA" (Sundance and TIFF selection), Disney's "ALADDIN," and Netflix's "AMEND."  At Monkeypaw Productions, Watson continued championing diverse voices through projects like the "SCARE TACTICS" reboot and upcoming film "HIM", which opens in theaters on September 19th. He also launched a music label imprint with Interscope Records, expanding his influence across entertainment sectors. Jamal's trajectory demonstrates how passion for storytelling, combined with strategic relationship-building and unwavering dedication, can create pathways to success in Hollywood's competitive landscape. Hope you takeaway as much as I did! xx cg

This week, we hear from Donna Washington, FilmLA's VP of Permit Operations. After the June 20th Board of Public Works hearing in Los Angeles, I was taken aback by the outrage and frustration permeating the halls of City Hall. So many folks I've grown up on set with voiced their extreme concern with the permitting process and costs in LA - one of the main blockers keeping productions from coming or staying here. Donna has been with FilmLA since its very beginning in 1995. She's witnessed firsthand the evolution from LA's golden era of production - when they were processing nearly 40,000 shoot days a year - to the current reality where production has dropped by 53% in just the last five years. While FilmLA is not the sole cause of the production exodus, it certainly has not helped. I wanted to invite Donna on to address this criticism head-on and discuss the misconceptions about who sets what fees, Film LA's 17-point plan to streamline the permitting process, and how FilmLA actually functions compared to film commissions in other states. This isn't about pointing fingers - it's about understanding the system, identifying the problems, and working together on solutions. Because as Donna puts it, FilmLA doesn't exist if the industry doesn't exist. And right now, with a 400% uptick in applications following California's increased tax incentives, we're at a critical moment that could determine the future of filmmaking in Los Angeles.   This impacts all of us and requires all of us to work towards a solution.

Six months ago, Stay in LA co-founders Sarah Adina Smith and Alexandra Pechman came on the show to explain why their grassroots movement was desperately needed to keep film production in Los Angeles. Since then, they've racked up a good amount of wins —from helping secure California's $750 million tax incentive to advocating for permitting reform across LA County. Today we're joined by two other leaders driving this coalition: showrunner and co-founder Noelle Stehman, and social impact producer Kate Holguin. We break down their wins, setbacks, and what's next in the battle for Hollywood's future. But as both guests make clear, the wins so far are just the beginning. As Noelle puts it: "If we don't continue to put pressure on policymakers and studio execs... the industry is going to continue to disappear and deteriorate."

Kicking off the new season with the spirited Adria Arjona for what was, incredibly, her first solo podcast ever. As someone whose face is literally on billboards outside my place currently, I found this fact both shocking and oddly kismet. It's a special treat to share this unexpected and refreshing punk rock side of her with you all. What you'll discover about Adria is that beyond being gorgeous – which, obviously – she's a dynamic, perceptive citizen of the world with a penchant for doing "bad things." And I mean that in the best possible way. She's the kind of person who makes you immediately start plotting how to become her best friend. Born in Puerto Rico, half Guatemalan, raised in Mexico, and shaped by a nomadic childhood following her father Ricardo Arjona on tour – one of the best-selling Latin American artists of all time – Adria learned early that home isn't a place, it's found in people and rituals. A lesson that serves her well in an industry that keeps her constantly moving between London, LA, and everywhere in between. There are SO many gems here, but a few that really stayed with me is how selling merch on her dad's tours taught her the art of hustling, a career-changing audition failure, and how producing has changed her as an actor for the better.   AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/   JOIN AOP PATREON https://www.patreon.com/angleonproducers   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: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com

We are trying something a little different for the next two months and will be bringing you weekly minisodes to compliment the monthy guest drops. This week, host Carolina Groppa and Associate Producer Sarah Bockian dive into the Oscars, the RUST verdict, and whether Hollywood is still in a steady decline or simply at the end of Act II. Articles Referenced: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/01/opinion/oscars-hollywood-extinction-event.html https://deadline.com/2024/03/rust-movie-armorer-guilty-shooting-death-1235847983   LISTEN HERE angleonproducers.com spoti.fi/2XwATdT apple.co/3dGscbf    SAY HI instagram.com/carolinagroppa instagram.com/angleonproducers tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa    SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER! bit.ly/aop_newsletter    

Mynette Louie is an Emmy-nominated, multiple Spirit Award-winning producer. A few of her movie credits include: Heidi Ewing's I Carry You With Me (Sony Pictures Classics, Winner of Sundance 2020 NEXT Innovator & Audience Awards, New York Film Festival selection) Carlo Mirabella-Davis' Gotham Award-nominated Swallow  Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour's Black Box (Amazon Studios/Blumhouse) Karyn Kusama's The Invitation (SXSW 2015, Drafthouse/Netflix) Knowing no one in the film industry, Louie began her film career by producing three NYU Tisch graduate thesis films–all written and directed by women–though she did not attend the school. She also worked at the Hawaii Film Office, where she authored the state's production tax credit, oversaw the $7.3 million renovation of the state-owned film studio, and developed programs to foster local independent filmmaking. Mynette is on the Board of Directors for Film Independent and serves as an advisor to the Sundance Institute, SXSW, Tribeca, and IFP. She was named one of Business Insider's "12 Movie Producers at the Top of Their Game to Watch in 2020 and Beyond," Ted Hope's "21 Brave Thinkers of Truly Free Film," and Indiewire's "100 Filmmakers to Follow on Twitter." Mynette won the 2013 Independent Spirit Piaget Producers Award and is a member of the executive and diversity committees of the Producers branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A native New Yorker, Louie graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University, where she studied Chinese literature and film. @carolinagroppa @mynettelouie www.angleonproducers.com

DeMane Davis is a television director and producer. She wears many hats. In fact, her mother would say "she doesn't have enough heads for all the hats that she wears." A special thanks to Women in Film for inviting me to host this lovely event. Our time together filled with me, and certainly the participants, with immense joy, as her positive energy is absolutely infectious. DeMane vibrates on a wavelength of gratitude and possibility. She believes in manifestation. So, it's no surprise that years ago, Ava DuVernay slid in her DMs and invited her to direct two episodes of the second season of her groundbreaking TV series Queen Sugar which airs on OWN.  The magical and powerful Ava has changed the landscape by only hiring female directors and specifically hiring first-time female directors. She asked DeMane to be the producing director of season three where she also go to director. Ava's done a ton of heavy lifting, but we agree that all of us must do your part to achieve gender parity on set. Last year, Davis produced and directed the last two episodes of the four-part Emmy-nominated Netflix limited series "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker." The period drama starred Octavia Spencer, Blair Underwood & Tiffany Haddish.   She is a co-executive producer and will direct the two-part season finale of the highly anticipated 2021 series, "Clarice." The show shares the untold personal story of FBI Agent Clarice Starling as she returns to the field in 1993, one year after the events of "The Silence of the Lambs."  Oh, and DeMane managed to get her start by directing her first two features while holding down a full time job as a copywriter in advertising. She leaned into all of those contacts to help manifest those projects. One of which became LIFT, starring Kerry Washington in her first leading role. Both of her films premiered In Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival and internationally at Edinburgh.  She's truly unstoppable. I absolutely adored this conversation and hope you also take away golden nuggets like: -How a producing director differs from a showrunner -The importance of doing it with joy -How to fill your own well to keep your soul alive in the hustle   Beijos, Carolina

Today, we are joined by actor and producer Jennifer LaFleur. She was recently in the HULU original film THE DROP and, just this past weekend, the psychological horror film she also co-produced, BIRTHRITE, directed by Ross Partridge. In a blast from the past, Jen and I met in 2011 on the set of a feature film where I was shadowing the producer. It's a gentle reminder of how much the path zigs and zags. During our chat, Jen shares how she turned her Massachusetts hometown into a movie set for her latest film BIRTHRITE, why the Duplass Brothers' "you are the cavalry" philosophy changed her career, and what her ER doctor father taught her about perspective when film locations fall through days before shooting. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, working parent, or anyone trying to build something meaningful, Jen's story offers practical wisdom about creating opportunities, leveraging what you already have, and showing up as your best self - because you never know when a brief encounter will change your life years later. BIRTHRITE is playing in limited theaters in Los Angeles now!

Monday vibes got you down? Let's flip that energy! 🎬 We are gearing up to launch a new season of the show, but in the meantime, I wanted to share what I've been up to behind the scenes. We've been focused on elevating all across the board--from our content, to our vibrant new set by Sara Silkwood (https://www.sarasilkwood.me/), and intentional community engagement. After 6 years of a mostly solo podcasting hustle, I'm finally ready to share what's been happening behind the scenes—from our incredible Summer Cafecito series to landing at a Hollywood soundstage where Lucille Ball once walked. This summer was filled with elevation: Cannes Film Festival, new studio, growing team, and big plans ahead. Plus the real talk about funding this passion project solo while building something sustainable for our creative community. Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes and creative industry real talk ✨

Kicking off August with a very special episode with the the brilliant minds behind Zello and Cinelease.  They just announced a game-changing acquisition that's bringing our industry back to its roots - where crews are empowered and things get done without red tape. As someone who's filmed in LA most of my career, I know Hollywood's real magic isn't what's on screen—it's the thousands of passionate people behind the scenes. Cinelease has been one of those constants for me. No matter the scope or budget, they always found a way to make it work. What makes this deal special? The timing is everything. After strikes, productions fleeing overseas, and endless layoffs, while others consolidate into massive corporate machines, Zello is taking Cinelease private and back to its entrepreneurial roots. This isn't just business—it's about people. Some Cinelease employees have been there 35 YEARS. That tells you everything about how they treat their team. Now with Zello's network backing them, they're expanding that family culture into new markets and creating more opportunities for all of us who make this industry run. Tune in for this exclusive deep dive on how this acquisition came to be and what it means for the future. Spoiler: it's bright ✨

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 Not Your Daddy's Films, 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: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com    

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 chronicles his rise from the mailroom to The Matrix.  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.

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.