Episode 124: Sara Laschever, "Women Don't Ask"

This episode is brought to you by:

Sara is the co-author, with Linda Babcock, of two groundbreaking books about women and negotiation, Women Don’t Ask: The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation—and Positive Strategies for Change and Ask for It! How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want.

From Sara’s bio, “Whether they want higher salaries, better career opportunities, or more help at home, women are much less likely than men to ask for what they want. When women do ask, they tend to mimic the forceful, competitive negotiating style favored by men, which often backfires. Sara looks at why women feel reluctant to ask for what they need and deserve—and reveals the shockingly high price paid by women, their employers, and the economy as a whole if they don’t address this persistent phenomenon. She shows women how to recognize more opportunities to negotiate, manage the anxiety they may feel when they approach a negotiation, and employ negotiating strategies that have been shown to work especially well for women.

Sara lectures widely and teaches workshops about women and negotiation and women’s leadership challenges for organizations in the U.S. and around the world.”

We are very lucky to have her on the show for a very delicious conversation. We NEED THIS!

Episode 111: Jeanette Volturno, Production Executive

This episode is generously sponsored by:

Jeanette is the Head of Production for Blumhouse. Her credits include Get Out, Insidious, The Purge, Paranormal Activity and approximately eleventy-hundred other things. She is also the founder of Catchlight Films and an entrepreneur. She has several projects that she will tell us about.

Jeanette’s story starts with a fiery redhead who could light up Las Vegas with her power and goes through visual effects, horror films and releasing a software app for worldwide filmmakers, and even collaborating with yours truly on an audio series. She has her hands in a lot of pots and makes it look pretty easy. I assure you, it’s not.

And this important tidbit: Lure them in with snacks.

Episode 105: Alexis Giostra, Productivity Alchemist

Alexis Giostra is a Productivity Alchemist, whose focus is on helping people (mostly women) do less to accomplish more. Who doesn’t want and need that? I found our conversation incredibly juicy, as we delved into things like quantum physics, and law of attraction, and the seven hermetic principles of the Universe. Very woo. Very LA.

Alexis Giostra is a thought leader in the field of productivity and she is the subject of Alexia Anastassio’s (EP 80) next documentary. You can learn more about her here: http://www.strangecharmed.com/ and you can order her planner here: https://amzn.to/2qJnkX1

Episode 84: Amanda Upson, Producer

Amanda is an Attorney turned Film Producer, whose first film Magnum Opus is available now on Amazon Prime. Amanda is incredibly determined, and when she puts her mind to something, she gets it done. Everything can be figured out.

And here is something we should impart to all of our children, especially our girls – take opportunities to fail. It is so important. If you are too afraid to fail, you won’t take chances and do the things that really scare you. And that is where the real success lies.

Magnum Opus is streaming everywhere, including on amazon prime (http://amzn.to/2zbuTqY), iTunes (http://apple.co/2ybu0zy), google play, etc.  Please follow and share on social at:

 https://www.facebook.com/MagnumOpusMovie

 https://twitter.com/MagnumOpusMovie 

and you can find the trailer here: http://www.magnumopusmovie.com/trailer/ (sharing is caring, and every time a person shares or clicks buy, an attorney saves her soul). 

Episode 75: The Ladies Who Podcast

This week I did something completely different and was a guest on someone else’s podcast! “The Ladies Who” podcast is a show out of New Orleans hosted by three lovely ladies, Christa, Beth and Bishop – who also, it should be noted, work in Entertainment.  They invited me into their Red Tent for a chat.

We talked about the origins of The Other 50% and what is going on in the zeitgeist about women.  They also heard the call early last year and knew that it was the time for the ladies to start talking!

We talked about the #metoo of it all, and raising kids, and the themes that have come up during the run of The Other 50% - a Herstory of Hollywood.

And game shows. As you do.

This was really fun, they are great, and I think you will enjoy the conversation.

You can find them here: The Ladies Who.  Add them to your podcast subscription list.

Episode 72: SheEO Vicki Saunders

Vicki Saunders is an entrepreneur who started an organization called SheEO.

SheEO is a leading global innovation in the female entrepreneur marketplace. Our radical new model to finance, support and celebrate female entrepreneurs has received global attention by capturing the hearts and minds of women around the world. [from the SheEO website]

You have to hear about how this works. If you are a woman looking for how you can concretely help women’s success and make a tangible difference, this is for you.   If you are an entrepreneur looking for a boost of capital and an incredible circle of radical support, this is for you.

I’m in, and I would love for you to be too.

Episode 60: Suzanne Lyons, Producer, Author, Teacher

Suzanne is a film producer, author, speaker, teacher and inspiration. You may remember the Flash Forward Institute in the early 2000’s.  She started that. She is the Co-Founder of Snowfall Films. She wrote Independent Film Producing: The Craft of Low Budget Filmmaking.

From humble beginnings in Canada, where she was told she could be a teacher, a nurse or a secretary, she quickly realized she was as smart as the men running things and might just have a go at that. At 29 she was the first female VP at a TV Network.

She is all about accountability and going for it. In this business, the key differentiator is who has actually done the work?

“In what other industry on planet earth do people relinquish their power in running their own lives to someone else (i.e. agents and managers?)”

And this: we are living on earth to experience joy and expansion. No limits.

Grab a cup of tea and settle in. Then, find more here:  http://www.suzannelyons.net/

Episode 59: Melissa Harper, SVP Production

Melissa is the SVP of Physical Production at Starz. And like many in this town, she started out as an actor. It’s actually excellent training for life – as is waiting tables – which goes with pursuing acting. She worked her way up producing films until she went in house and rose to the top of the production ladder.

She has sage advice for all of us…such as take every opportunity that is presented.  You never know what may happen, and the joy of life is in the unexpected journey. And if you have a dream – pursue it.  Don’t end your life full of regrets as to what might have been.

And let’s take a little pressure off of mothering and perfection. Amen to that!

And gratitude is everything.

Episode 55: Heather Cappiello, Director

Heather is a Director. Her TV directing credits include Freakish, Madam Secretary, Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods, and Saving Grace with Holly Hunter. Before transitioning to Director, she was a sought-after Script Supervisor for many years.  Think Six Feet Under, Carnivále, Huff, Monk, Being Mary Jane, etc., etc. Her initial training was in theatre. She is the real deal.

She says that script supervising is the best day job that leads to directing.  And how could it not be?  You’re sitting next to all the directors for the best master class you can have.

We talked about steeling your courage to throw your hat in the ring, balancing your life and family, and how TV directing is a G*dd*&$n spiritual practice.

Episode 52: Lane Allison, Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

Lane is an actor, writer, producer and director. First, let me tell you she is in a play that you should go see – Welcome to your Alternative Reality.  Here’s the link. I went last weekend and loved it.  Theatre in LA is alive and well.

Lane just wrote, produced, directed and starred in a pilot called After Pluto.  Watch it here.

Here’s the thing: more and more women are now writing complex female characters for themselves and are producing the shows and putting them out there. I think it’s an incredible revolution.

Risk, fail, risk again.

Lane leaned in big time. And she is a delight.  And if you happen to cast for animation, have a listen to this voice!

And as I have oft suspected, there is something to marrying your college sweetheart.

Episode 46: Stronger Than Pretty, Jaret Martino, Pat Branch, Marjorie LeWit

Stronger Than Pretty is a film about Jaret’s mother. She took her three children out of an awful situation and created a life for them all, despite everything she was expected to do as a nice Catholic girl in New York in the 70’s. In addition to that extraordinary tale, it is remarkable that her son recognizes the strength of her story and has created a piece to celebrate it. 

Jaret Martino is an actor and producer, with 10 films already under his producing belt, most of them with distribution. He is committed to hiring female crews on his projects to help counteract the dismal statistics for women in the industry.  He is a true feminist and is leading by example.

Pat Branch is a comedian, writer and teacher, and wrote the script for this project, with passion, humor and empathy.

Marjorie LeWit is an actor and director, who directed this film and the companion project Inner Warrior, which they tell us all about.

This is a master class in purpose driven content – purpose driven life. Their kindness, empathy and desire to bring people together drives their work and their lives. It is a joy to hang out with them, if only for an hour.

Remember this:  money is not what makes art.  Although, feel free to send the money anyway.  Strongerthanpretty.com.

Episode 45: Kat Coiro, Director

Kat is a Film, TV and Commercial Director.  For this, I call her a unicorn. She started as an actor but started to realize she wanted to have more influence on the final product. Kat went on to make a short with Funny or Die, where Janeane Garofalo told her to "stop f**&^%ing apologizing!" Oh, to have Janeane Garofalo yell at you!

Later she wrote and directed a beautiful film called And While We Were Here.  You can find it on Hulu.  It really is gorgeous. And she did it with no money. In Italy. While pregnant.  That is badass.

Currently, she is directing television - all your favorite shows, The Mick, Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce, and Alone Together.

She tells us her journey in directing, the state of women in the business, and what inspires her.

And, it turns out you can get big female stars to show up for your tiny shoot if you just ask them to act in a scene with another woman. With dialogue. This is the revolution.

And of course...preparation, preparation, preparation.

Episode 44: Jennifer Freed, Owner/President Trevanna Post

Jennifer is the Owner and President of Trevanna Post.  Trevanna is a post production accounting firm focusing on film and television, with offices in New York and Los Angeles.  She tells us her story from being the young blonde out of Stanford who “would never make it in Hollywood” to having a successful and thriving business for more than 20 years. Take that, naysayers. 

She talks about the importance of her mentor, working hard and learning as much as you can, and balancing a thriving family life – for herself and for her employees. And for the artists out there, we can’t emphasize enough how important the business and accounting side of this business is. It helps to make better creative decisions.

Episode 43: Taj Paxton, Filmmaker, Executive

Taj is the VP of Documentary Films at Logo. She is an award-winning producer, writer and filmmaker. As one of few Black and openly LGBT film executives, Taj proudly stands on the front lines of diversity and representation.

She started on Wall Street and became a filmmaker and executive.  Along the way she produced films, ran Forrest Whittaker’s company, wrote and sold a pilot, traveled, worked as a production executive, served on the Board for Outfest, and became a yoga teacher. As you do.

And from her bio, which I cannot state better: Taj interests lie at the intersections of art and social change. Her journey is filled with life lessons that cannot be confined to the boxes of gender, race and sexual orientation. She hopes her work will continue to shape the conversation around the kinds of stories we tell and that those stories become a tool for greater cultural understanding and cohesion.

We talked about loaves and fishes, redefining masculinity, and your gut perception of a woman as competent. And can we replace "minority" with "underrepresented?"

Episode 41: Cady McClain, Director/Producer/Artist

Cady is an actor/producer/director/writer/musician….maybe it’s just easiest to call her an artist.  I know her best from playing Dixie Martin on All My Children.  If I couldn’t marry Tad, I’m glad it was she.

More recently, she directed Seeing is Believing: Women Direct – a documentary series that profiles female directors.  It premiers a week from today at the Newport Beach Film Festival.  You can get tickets here.  She is also directing and acting in Venice: The Series.

We talked about her journey as an artist, the heroine’s journey in life, and how women can uplift and support each other.  It was the very juicy talk of an artist.

You shouldn’t have to go deep into the woods, wearing a floral maxi skirt and smelling of patchouli in order to see and celebrate women’s contribution in storytelling. Although that's fun too.

Episode 40: Carole Angelo, Digital Creative and Producer

Carole is a Digital Creative and Producer at TBS/TNT.  She came up through the digital world at NBC when digital was barely a thing, and she helped create it.  Along the way, she launched some obscure series you’ve never heard of, like “Friends” and “Seinfeld.” And her digital work with “The Office” launched the writer’s strike.  Yup.  She is patient zero.  But, it all got worked out in the end.

We talked about growing up at a studio, negotiating (or not), and would I please stop bringing that up?!  This was a really fun interview, even though I’m pretty sure she drove off with my parking pass.

Episode 39: Beatriz Mascaro, Co-Executive Producer

Beatriz is a Co-Executive Producer on Teen Mom OG.  What’s OG?  She’ll tell us.  Her other credits include Say Yes to the Dress, Teen Mom, What Not to Wear, and A Wedding Story. She is producing Teen Mom while being knee deep in raising two tiny humans – one of them is less than a year old. She is a big team player, both at work and at home. 

We talked about raising the next generation of workers – and seriously, why is there so much parenting required at work? Here is the advice:  work hard every time.

I will warn you, the audio on this episode is not awesome.  I think her interview is worth it though, so try to stick with it.

Episode 36: Diana Chang, Producer

Diana is a Producer in the world of short form and social media. She currently works at the Food Network as a video producer for their Snapchat Discover channel.  At the time of this interview, she was at Mashable, creating Snapchat and social media content every single day.  As she said, the internet lived in her office. The pace is fast and furious and creativity is constant.  So fast, there doesn’t seem to be much time to discriminate.  That’s the good news.

This is a quick episode, but mostly because we talked really fast.

Episode 35: Jennie Lew Tugend, Producer

Jennie is a Producer. She has produced and co-produced some of the industry’s most memorable franchises:  Free Willy, Lethal Weapon and HBO’s Tales from the Crypt.  As she continues to develop and produce today, she is also sharing her experience by teaching film production at UCLA Extension and Columbia College Hollywood, and in 2016, she joined the faculty of AFI as a producing mentor. 

This episode jumps right into class and she talks about what makes a creative producer and what is the process of developing a film - it takes longer than you think, and sometimes the actor with a script in his back pocket turns out to be an amazing gift.

We eventually circled back to her history and how she came up through the ranks, all the way to a studio deal. Spoiler, she took a detour through a saloon.

And this: it’s not just who you know, it’s who you know and what they think of you.

Episode 34: Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director WIF

Kirsten is the Executive Director of Women in Film, Los Angeles. Prior to WIF, she was the Executive Director of Outfest, the LGBT film festival and media arts organization. She tells us about her history as a student at Evergreen, working at film festivals in Seattle and Olympia, and juggling her life as a mother and wife in this busy city and this business.

Kirsten walks us through the work of Women in Film, as well as the initiative called Reframe - in conjunction with the Sundance Institute, aimed at improving gender parity in entertainment.  If you have been curious as to where all the gender chatter is culminating in action – this is it.