Happy Friday, Dear Listener!

Broadcasting from the clouds at 10,000 feet as I soar towards Austin for the SXSW Film Festival. If you’re there, hit me up. Would love to see you.

What a week for the indie scene! Sean Baker made Oscar history this past Sunday by taking home four Academy awards for the same film in the directing, writing, editing and producing categories. In doing so, he achieved a feat Coppola, Cuarón and Walt Disney never could!

It proves once again that indie productions aren't just competing with the big studios—they're straight-up winning. This Oscar win isn't just a trophy on someone's shelf; it's a massive signal boost for all of us grinding away on passion projects.

The internet has been popping with controversy around the fact that ANORA started non-union and was flipped union. Here’s some banter on Reddit if you care to go deeper, but I will say that a trusted line producer spoke with their UPM and this is a bit out of proportion. You may be wondering why not go IATSE in the first place? (Because, to be clear, when people say “union” they are usually talking about IA, not SAG, DGA, or even Teamsters).

There are likely a variety of factors, so I can’t really comment on their decision but I’ve been a part of many shows that had to make similar concessions due to the disconnect between creative aspirations and budget realities. Every indie that starts out non-union has to prepare for the possibility of a flip, which is what happened here. The ANORA crew was mostly non-union to begin with and were earning union scale rates. The retroactive union fringes, pension and health are a big part of why the film ballooned from $5 million to $6 million.

Making an independent film for $5M was already a high-wire act in 2021—today, with increased costs across every department, it's become a balancing act that forces painful compromises at every turn.

FWIW, producer Alex Coco was very real during our chat about how hard ANORA was to make. He was honest about having to produce commercials and music videos to sustain himself. So, I can’t imagine there was a big front end pay for the above the line, especially with a cast of unknowns. The film has made $41.4 million globally to date and will continue to be profitable after digital rentals and licensing deals are considered. The Oscar campaign cost Neon $18 million. Let’s see how much actually goes back to the producers and investors.

I wholeheartedly believe every crew member deserves comprehensive health and pension benefits – that's non-negotiable. But we're facing a challenging economic reality in independent filmmaking. When productions with budgets under $10M run the numbers, many are finding themselves at a crossroads.

This isn't about devaluing talent or cutting corners – it's about the sustainable future of independent cinema. Are we creating a system where smaller, boundary-pushing films can only exist outside established union frameworks? That's the conversation we need to have.

What do you think?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHT

Special thanks to Sunset Studios for donating the space for us to record!

Speaking of people making waves, this week's episode features none other than Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner behind HBO's darkest new hit "The Penguin." 

After a serendipitous meet-cute in a parking lot where I fangirled a little too hard, I invited her on the show and less than a week later, we recorded this episode. Sometimes the universe just really shows up for you…

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.

Tune in as we discuss:

• How she navigated the pressure of working in the Batman universe while carving out something distinctly her own

• How she made us all deeply care about Gotham’s devil, Oz Cobb

• How she unwinds at the Yolo Footspa in LA (SPONSOR US!!!)

Watch / Listen

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

WORKSHOP: BUDGETING FOR CREATIVES

After producing award-winning projects on tight budgets for almost two decades, I know a thing or two about going from script to screen. Creating an accurate, workable budget is one of the first steps of the filmmaking process, so why not share my process with all of you? 

This workshop will teach you how to read your scripts like a producer and create budgets that set you and your projects up for success. Practical budgeting framework specifically designed for creatives—writers, directors, actors, and of course, producers….anyone who thinks in shots, not spreadsheets.

Over the course of two separate sessions, you’ll learn:

• How to read a script like a line producer

• The process of doing a script breakdown

• How to accurately assess budgetary needs without sacrificing creativity

And what script will we work from, you ask? Yours! Participants will be able to submit shorts no longer than 15 pages for the chance to be workshopped by me in front of your peers during the sessions. Submissions will be reviewed by team AOP, and one lucky participant will walk away with a completed budget breakdown.

Early bird pricing: $75 through Friday, 3/14 with an additional $25 fee if submitting a script for consideration

Regular pricing: $100 with an additional $25 fee if submitting a script for consideration

Keep your eyes on your inbox or the AOP Instagram page on early next week for sign-up information. Slots are limited to 100 people.

In partnership with Saturation and Wscripted.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

Alana Mitnick, a dear friend and OG podcast guest, is behind HER, a community of like-minded women dedicated to helping advance females in entertainment + advertising.

The next event is on Thurs 3/13 and will support #StayinLA, an initiative fighting to keep production in Los Angeles. Pamala Buzick Kim will educate us on key policies and show us how we can take action together to keep production work—and the communities that thrive because of it—right here in LA.

wine + light bites will be served at $25 / person

Click here to RSVP by 3/10 

PRODUCER’S CORNER

• READ | There’s Something Wrong with the Oscars - Hollywood is celebrating the kinds of movies it doesn’t make. Link

• LEARN | Understanding Co-Productions - The intricacies of forging deals and the collaborative process behind local and international partnerships. Link

• GROW | Longest Study on Human Happiness - A blend of deep relationships and well-being. Link

• WATCH | PARADISE - Mind blow. Anyone else watching this series created by Dan Fogelman starring my boo Sterling K. Brown on Hulu?  Link

RESOURCES

SXSW - 20 of the Most Anticipated Films Check It

AAPI Futures Impact Producer Fellowship - $17,000 grant towards your film’s impact campaign. Deadline TODAY 3/7. Apply

#StayInLA -  10 Ways You Can Help! Link