Happy Tuesday, Dear Doer!

For those of you who are new here—welcome! I used to call you listeners, but let's be honest: if you're tuning in and actually here, you're a doer just like me. And the doers of Hollywood really deserve to be celebrated and cherished. 🍒 

June is here, and I'm finally back on solid ground after what felt like a whirlwind May floating through Cannes. Too many croissants (still hunting for my favorite), too much wine, not enough sleep—but incredible conversations with powerhouse women like Eva Longoria, Ro Donnelly and Sam Rocanelli of Dakota Johnson’s production company Teatime Pictures.

Here’s a sweet recap if you missed it!

FROM THE CROISETTE TO CULVER CITY

Last week was quite the pivot—from schmoozing with filmmakers and financiers along the French Riviera to diving deep into the second annual AI On the Lot Conference.

The conference was illuminating, and I'm not trying to be all doomsday about it, but I genuinely believe we need to embrace this technology and learn how to make it work for us—or risk becoming irrelevant. The writing's on the wall, folks...

Hollywood has absolutely shifted from “fearful observer to active participant” in this AI revolution. Here are my takeaways:

Scale and Scope: This year they expanded to three full days, pulling in over 1,200 people—artists, startup founders, media execs, developers, and film industry professionals. It's officially the largest gathering focused specifically on AI in film, which tells you everything about where this industry is heading.

Mindset Shift: The prevailing message wasn't "AI is coming for your job." It was "AI can make your job better if you know how to use it." There's a difference, and it matters.

Practical Points: They showed real applications—not just theoretical possibilities. Studios are already using AI for pre-vis, script analysis, and post-production workflows. This isn't some distant future we're talking about.

Here’s a brief from my IG recap!

Look, AI is still the hot topic that gets everyone either excited or terrified (sometimes both). But after spending a few days immersed in it, here's what I know: the people who figure out how to collaborate with this technology are going to have a massive advantage. The ones who don't? Well, they'll be watching from the sidelines.

The industry is moving fast, and frankly, it's not waiting for anyone to catch up. The question isn't whether AI will change how we make content—it's whether you're going to be part of shaping that change or just reacting to it.

As always, thanks for doing this life thing with me!

HIGHLIGHT EPISODE

Last month, I moderated a panel at United Talent Agency on how GreenSlate is here to disrupt legacy models in entertainment payroll and accounting. It's one of the many reasons they are one of my go to production partners.

This exclusive event was tailored to producers and finance teams. For those who were not able to be in the room where it happens, you’re in luck because you can absorb all the wisdom via the 40 min recording below!

Sure, it’s not the glamorous part of the filmmaking process but it is absolutely non-negotiable. Y’all know I’m constantly encouraging you to empower yourself and deepen your knowledge on these sexy topics.

Yeah, it’s sexy as hell because knowledge is power…and power is sexy. 😉 

It was a delight to spent the evening the these individuals behind Greenslate:

• Mike Leiba, President and COO

• Sandra Wetmore, SVP of Payroll Ops

• Laura Walton, VP of Client Success

They brought the same warmth, humor, and expertise to our chat as they bring to their clients. It was also a wonderful reminder that the a crises on any given show is just another Tuesday for them. Lean on them!

If you’ve ever scrambled to fix a payroll issue or wondered how to navigate tax incentives, this convo offers practical tips to save time and stress.

It’s also a love letter to the collaborative spirit of filmmaking, reminding us that every role, from producer to paymaster, matters.

Special thanks to William Hays for putting this evening together!