1) It is definitely a challenge when you’re starting out. My number one action – create work to show. Get out there and partner with people, and whenever possible create spec material for jobs you are bidding on to gain experience. Build up your reel and keep it fresh. You have to put yourself out there, so reach out to those you admire most and have them introduce you to industry people that are like-minded. Finally, showing your willingness to constantly try new things will keep you top of mind when teams are concepting.
2) A good Producer not only works to inspire others but dives in to help solve problems and find creative solutions. Get to know the people you work with, take the time to truly understand their personalities and needs, and look for unique ways to engage with them. That said, you also need to take time to do research, establish a clear point of view and to get excited about new technologies.
3) From the kick-off, ensure that the team is working towards the same goals. Do your research on the technology and make sure that you have the people in place.
That said, embrace what you know but also be prepared to enter the unknown. With new technology, sometimes you have to throw everything out the window and start fresh with experienced participants who are also embracing the unknown by researching, prototyping and constantly learning from new innovations. This was my experience for a recent project using AI. If the goals are focused to map new technologies to conceptually driven work, then the outcome will most certainly delight you, the team and the audience.
4) I recently spent time working with a team developing tools to turn casual conversations into innovative voice experiences. We prototyped using a range of techniques to incorporate voice interaction with devices and explored how complimentary voice actions can initiate music. It was an extremely rewarding project with an amazing creative team.
Director of Interactive Production
KBS
“Challengers” Earns Actor-Producer Zendaya 2024 Gothams Spotlight Tribute
Emmy Award-winner Zendaya will receive the Gotham Film & Media Institute’s Spotlight Tribute for her performance as Tashi Donaldson in the Luca Guadagnino-directed film Challengers, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place live and in person on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
The Spotlight Tribute was created by The Gotham in order to recognize phenomenal efforts by individuals in film and television who captivated global audiences with the biggest projects of the year. With the Spotlight Tribute, The Gotham will honor Zendaya’s remarkable work as leading-actress and producer on the Amazon MGM Studios box-office hit that broke into the cultural zeitgeist, and was celebrated by critics and audiences worldwide.
“Zendaya’s magnetic portrayal of Tashi Donaldson in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers exemplifies the creative excellence that The Gotham celebrates,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “Her performances in Dune: Part One, Dune: Part Two, and Euphoria have made her one of the most captivating actors of her generation. Her multi-layered performance at the heart of Challengers earned widespread acclaim, including a nomination for Best Feature at this year’s Gothams. We look forward to honoring her work with our Spotlight Tribute.”
From Academy Award nominated visionary filmmaker Guadagnino, Challengers stars two-time Emmy winner Zendaya as Tashi Duncan (who becomes Tashi Donaldson after marrying Art Donaldson), a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to Art Donaldson (BAFTA nominee Mike Faist), a champion on a losing streak,... Read More