1 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: Welcome to Strictly Business, Variety's weekly podcast featuring conversations with 2 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. I'm 3 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: Cynthia Lyttleton, co editor in chief of Variety Today. My 4 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: guest is Diana Mogoyon, CEO of ride Back Rise. Ride 5 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: Back Rise is a nonprofit venture launched by producer Dan 6 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: Lynn in July twenty twenty two. The organization offers year 7 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 1: long fellowships to mid career creatives from underrepresented backgrounds. The 8 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 1: goal is to help promising talent take their careers to 9 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: the next level by supporting them at a crossroads moment. 10 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: At ride Back Rise, the focus is on mainstream entertainment 11 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 1: big commercial hits, whether in film or TV or digital 12 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: live media. Mogo Yon explains that the lofty overarching goal 13 00:00:56,000 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 1: is nothing less than driving cultural change through inclusive storytelling. 14 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 1: To support that vision, Lynn and partners took over an 15 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:09,479 Speaker 1: abandoned post office in Los Angeles' historic Filipino Town neighborhood. 16 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: They built it out with the ranch theme in an 17 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: effort to make it a fun and nurturing environment for 18 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:18,919 Speaker 1: writers and others to pursue their creative passions. In February 19 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 1: Lynn joined Netflix as its head of Film, but ride 20 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,199 Speaker 1: Back Rise is still a big priority for him. Mogoyon 21 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: joined the company earlier this year as CEO to steer 22 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:32,160 Speaker 1: a growing list of programs. She's well suited to that role, 23 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:37,040 Speaker 1: having worked as a programming executive for NBC Universal's Moundos 24 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: Spanish language cable network. She spent the past eight years 25 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: at Warner Bros. As General Manager of its Stage thirteen 26 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: digital content unit. After giving me a grand tour of 27 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: the ranch, Mogoyon and I sat down for a conversation 28 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 1: about what she hopes to build at ride Back Rise 29 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:57,559 Speaker 1: and why its work is sorely needed. That's all coming 30 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 1: up after this break. This episode of Strictly Business is 31 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: brought to you by UCP presenting Mister Monk's Last Case 32 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: a Monk Movie. Mister Monk's Last Case a Monk Movie 33 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: sees the return of Detective Adrian Monk from the hit 34 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: USA Network series Monk. After thirteen years of retirement. Monk 35 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 1: sharpens his detective skills once again as his stepdaughter suffers 36 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: the sudden loss of her fiance in a bungee jumping accident. 37 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: With the help of old companions, Monk will attempt to 38 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 1: solve the case and in doing so take on one 39 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 1: of the world's most powerful men. The critically acclaimed movie 40 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 1: is for your Emmy consideration for Outstanding Television Movie and 41 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 1: all other categories. Mister Monk's Last Case A Monk Movie 42 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 1: is now streaming on Peacock. And we're back with the 43 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: conversation with ride Back Rise CEO Diana Moggoyon. 44 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 2: Thank you so so much for joining me. 45 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 3: Thank you, Cynthia, thank you, thank you for being here 46 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:05,959 Speaker 3: with us, and welcome to Right Back Ranch and ride 47 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 3: Back Rise. 48 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 1: Not only do have you given me the welcome and 49 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: an incredible tour, but you brought incredible pastries. I'm about 50 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:16,520 Speaker 1: halfway into an inch thick piece of banana bread from 51 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 1: Clerk's Bakery. Yeah, free Clark Street Bakery. Free plug for 52 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: Clark Street Bakery. I'm a very hard judge of bana 53 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:28,080 Speaker 1: bread and this stuff with the almonds is really billy killing. 54 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 2: So thank you for a very warm welcome. 55 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,840 Speaker 3: Of course, of course, let's start from the very top. 56 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: Tell me what is ride Back Rise and what is 57 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: your role with it? 58 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 3: Thank you, Cynthia. Yes, right Back Rise is a content 59 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 3: and creator accelerator that was founded in twenty twenty two 60 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 3: by Dan Lynn, former producer now executive over a Netflix 61 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 3: on the film site. 62 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: Very prominent person, a lot of a string of film hits, 63 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: so more more hits than you think. 64 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 2: Of off the top of your head. 65 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 3: Absolutely, Lego would be Sherlock Holms a lot and you 66 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 3: know Airband to the Last Avatar, So a lot of 67 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 3: good ones. A good plug there, just to give a 68 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 3: little bit of an IMDb on Dan Lynn and so 69 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 3: we are a content creator accelerator whose mission is to 70 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 3: really work with these creators. We have fellows, and we 71 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:21,039 Speaker 3: have a circle, and we have residents. So we have 72 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:25,040 Speaker 3: over two hundred folks in our cohort. We're in our 73 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 3: first inaugural cohort. We're about halfway through that and we're 74 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 3: about to open up the application profits process for the 75 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 3: new cohort for twenty four to twenty five. 76 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 2: And what do we. 77 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:39,160 Speaker 3: Do with this amazing cohort of creators? These are all 78 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 3: mid level POC creators by design in terms of serving 79 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 3: Dan's vision of how do we help propel narrative change 80 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 3: in this industry, which is a conversation we've had for many, 81 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 3: many years, many years with the Ultimate goal, and I 82 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:57,720 Speaker 3: think it's a very ambitious goal of really improving and 83 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 3: really solving racial equity when it comes to Hollywood and 84 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:04,840 Speaker 3: narrative and storytelling. Quite ambitious, but doable if you bring 85 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 3: the right people together and you have the right plan together. 86 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 3: Now Dan has always been committed to this. DNA, Dan 87 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 3: and our board, and during COVID when we all had 88 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 3: a little bit of extra time, Dan thought about them 89 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,359 Speaker 3: and said, what about if we try a more patient 90 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 3: runway and we try the philanthropic runway. Let's create a 91 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 3: nonprofit that is dedicated to this mission to help creators 92 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 3: again mid level creators. The mid level is very specific 93 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 3: because that is where creators, whether they're from film or television, 94 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 3: they've been staffed in rooms, they've already produced some shorts, 95 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 3: they've directed. You really at a crossroads, you either double 96 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 3: down and say this is it. I'm going to keep 97 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 3: doing this, I'm going to keep creating, I'm going to 98 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 3: keep getting better, or you leave the business because it 99 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 3: is that hard and challenging, and more so now than ever. 100 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 3: So the idea was to bring in mid level POC 101 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 3: creators and give them a one year intensive opportunity to 102 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 3: work with us and all of our brain trust of 103 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 3: creators and green writers and showrunners on three different levels. 104 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 3: One is creatively, they come into the program and very 105 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 3: much again in Dan's vision is to work on commercial, 106 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 3: mainstream projects in his mind, and I totally believe this. 107 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 3: To help really propel narrative change and to impact culture, 108 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:21,839 Speaker 3: you really have to have people see and engage the product. 109 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:23,919 Speaker 3: We have a great runway to be able to do 110 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 3: that with through commercial product in many genres. So our 111 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:29,719 Speaker 3: program is open to all from animation to Howard a comedy, 112 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 3: it's TV and film. And they come in with those 113 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:35,720 Speaker 3: ideas that we then like a studio, but think like 114 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 3: a nonprofit studio. We incubate and develop those ideas over 115 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:43,960 Speaker 3: the course of the year, and they finish with finished products, scripts, 116 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 3: pitch deacks, and we do everything we can as a 117 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:51,360 Speaker 3: nonprofit to pair them and match them with producers, studios, buyers, etc. 118 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 3: So they're literally the ten yard line by the time 119 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 3: they're leaving here. That is the conceit of the program. 120 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:58,920 Speaker 3: We're halfway through our first year. I can share more 121 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,159 Speaker 3: next year once we're done with our first year. And 122 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 3: how we do that is we create on the creative 123 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 3: end modules, so they come in with kind of like 124 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 3: the Pixar brain Trust. We have showrunners and screenwriters that 125 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 3: come in and work with these fellows and residents, the 126 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 3: core that gets the super serving of the program, and 127 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 3: we work on outlines, breaking story drafting notes, polish the 128 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 3: entire creative process with not only the creative showrunners and 129 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:29,120 Speaker 3: artists coming in but with each other. So this community 130 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 3: of creators like a writer's who in a sense, that 131 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 3: are cross pollinating, helping each other optimize their creative and themselves. 132 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 3: On the business side of it, which is just as 133 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 3: important as a creative we are spending an entire year 134 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 3: on what I call minimizing blight spots and really working 135 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 3: on how do we make sure every aspect from marketing 136 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 3: to PR, to deal making to crafts to pitching, all 137 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 3: the business pieces of it that you need as a 138 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 3: creator to elevate your game, you know, to accelerate your career. 139 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 3: Part of building community for and for us is making 140 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 3: sure we have a big enough circle of POC creators 141 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 3: that can help one another, that can super serve one another, 142 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 3: that can be their form one another, especially during these 143 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 3: difficult times. And so we have a broader circle of 144 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 3: over two hundred this year. The idea is again in 145 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 3: this much bigger cohort when we have big master class events, 146 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 3: where we have community building events, they're there for each other. 147 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 3: And as we know, what is the stat over eighty 148 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 3: percent of your next gig is going to come from 149 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 3: somebody you know they're going to walk you in the room. 150 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 3: So the bigger your circle, the bigger your community, the 151 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 3: more that's going to facilitate your next gig, your next job. 152 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:34,679 Speaker 3: The other hallmark I think of the program that I 153 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 3: found coming in is it is a safe split of 154 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 3: safe space for creators to try new things. So it 155 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 3: helps with the risk mitigation. Like you mentioned, Cynthia, that 156 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:46,599 Speaker 3: you're able to say, you know what, I've been in 157 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 3: TV for years, I want to stretch my muscle and 158 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 3: I want to go into film or you know what 159 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 3: I've done comedy, but I know that I have a 160 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 3: dramatic story in me that can be commercial, that can 161 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 3: be IP based, because a lot of what we encourage 162 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 3: is IP based, you know, storytelling, And we in fact 163 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 3: have a development fund, Cynthia, I forget to mention that 164 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 3: where they can access these development funds to option IP. 165 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 3: We handle all of the negotiations and all of the 166 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 3: legal work we help facilitate that they can also work 167 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 3: on proof of concepts short short films. Again, we have 168 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 3: like a studio a development fund that can help facilitate 169 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 3: a lot of these projects to the next level. So 170 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 3: the other piece with that in terms of stretching muscles 171 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:28,680 Speaker 3: and cross pollinating is that entrepreneurial concepts. So Dan and 172 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 3: I talk about at this moment in time, creators who 173 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 3: are writer, directors and multi hyphenates have to think of themselves. 174 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 3: They have to sort of reframe their mind as saying 175 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 3: like I'm an entrepreneur. I'm not waiting for the phone 176 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 3: call from my agent or manager. I'm generating my next gig. 177 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 3: I am the CEO of my own brand, and I'm 178 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 3: going to make sure that I'm managing every element of 179 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 3: my life. That also includes having a drawer full of 180 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 3: new ideas. And so I think that whole mind flip on, 181 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 3: like how do I see myself That's a big part 182 00:09:57,520 --> 00:09:59,679 Speaker 3: dance an entrepreneur. How do I make sure that these 183 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 3: crea not only are working on their craft, but are 184 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 3: sort of shifting the way they think about themselves and 185 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:08,079 Speaker 3: their power in this industry. Which again starts and stops 186 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:10,280 Speaker 3: with the stories and the storytellers so. 187 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: Interesting and when you're talking about the importance of creating 188 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,560 Speaker 1: a network. We're just coming off the can Film Festival, 189 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: and it really stood out to me this year that 190 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: were honoring George Lucas and Francis Ford. Coppola was there 191 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:23,320 Speaker 1: with the Big movie, and think about it, all the 192 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: stories are legend now. Coppola, Spielberg, Lucas, they all they 193 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 1: created a network, They hired each other, they all had 194 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: massive hits. Like that's that's the that's the organic way 195 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 1: of Hollywood. And what Dan is trying to foster here 196 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 1: is just I wish folks were going to put some 197 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:44,559 Speaker 1: pictures on the website because this facility is just amazing. 198 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 1: There's outdoor space, there's indoor space, there's production space. It 199 00:10:48,679 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 1: is the kind of place you just want to sit 200 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 1: down and be creative. 201 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:54,680 Speaker 3: And be creative and commune like you know, and meet 202 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:56,959 Speaker 3: other people and have great conversation. 203 00:10:56,520 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 2: And kitchens and kitchens and coffee. You know, creativity is coffee. 204 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 2: And I've just finished a very delicious cup here. 205 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 1: Yay. 206 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, that's what we love and we always we 207 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 3: invite the community back here. In fact, in getting to 208 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 3: know the cohort as I started a few months ago, 209 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 3: I really enjoyed our conversations because I wanted to see 210 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 3: what they were thinking. Where we you know, were we 211 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 3: doing the right things, how we can super serve them? Again, 212 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:24,000 Speaker 3: they are the ultimate you know, ambassadors to the program. 213 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 3: And again we're a startup, so we want to make 214 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 3: sure we're on the right track and we can iterate. 215 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 3: And they were like, I got to tell you number 216 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 3: one on the lists. It's the it's the location. We 217 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 3: love the campus, we love creating. When when I graduate, 218 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 3: when I'm on a lump, can I come back here? 219 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:37,199 Speaker 3: And we're like, okay, let's figure that out. We'll see 220 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 3: how we can maybe do some alum hours, you know, 221 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 3: for folks to come back here. And they also love 222 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 3: the community, they love their fellow cohort. In fact, several 223 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 3: of them have said I would never have met my fellow, 224 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 3: you know, my fellow fellow because if I'm a comedy writer, 225 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 3: I don't know I think I would have met a 226 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,079 Speaker 3: horror film writer, you know. So I feel like this 227 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:58,199 Speaker 3: notion of like meeting these lifelong friendships to your point 228 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,439 Speaker 3: that are going to be connected for life. Hopefully they're 229 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:02,439 Speaker 3: going to support each other in this. You know, ebbs 230 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 3: and flows of this industry is really important. 231 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 1: It's hard, as everybody knows, it's hard to meet people 232 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: in LA. It's hard to meet people in LA, including 233 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 1: in the creative. Let me ask the business questions. Sure, 234 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 1: how do once you have supported projects and things? I 235 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: realize it's all new, but you must have a plan. 236 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: Once you've supported a project and it goes and woo, 237 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 1: who you get the green light? It's going to be 238 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 1: a movie, it's going to be an eight episode limited series, 239 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: how does the business work out? Does ride Back retain 240 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,520 Speaker 1: a stake in the project or so we have looked. 241 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 3: At that in a way that again, having been insiders, right, 242 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:38,079 Speaker 3: having been in the business as producers and executives, we 243 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 3: want to make sure that we are unencumbering the projects 244 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 3: and the creators as much as possible. So we don't 245 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:46,720 Speaker 3: want something to have sort of a business affairs complaying like, oh, 246 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 3: who's going to want to do that? That being said, 247 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 3: we take our job and our investment of time and 248 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 3: resources seriously. You know their donor funds. We want to 249 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 3: make sure we see all these projects through and storytellers, 250 00:12:58,320 --> 00:12:59,959 Speaker 3: And what we say is that we definitely want to 251 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:01,720 Speaker 3: make sure we're there for the long haul. I mean, 252 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 3: we're a phone call away. Even when the project leaves here. 253 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 3: We want to make sure it's curated all the way through. 254 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 3: So we say, look, if there's a possible way of 255 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,320 Speaker 3: giving us credit, like a logo credit, that'd be fantastic. There. 256 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 3: You know, we have a passive royalty built in at 257 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:17,080 Speaker 3: the discretion of the creator and obviously at the future 258 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:19,839 Speaker 3: platform or streamer where it lives. That's that I think 259 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 3: is a conversation. But we definitely don't want to definitely 260 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 3: encumber the projects or their creators. I really do think 261 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 3: that it is sort of a pure nonprofit from that 262 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 3: perspective in terms of being how do we do this 263 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 3: at scale, How do we make sure that we are 264 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:35,680 Speaker 3: leveraging donor dollars and donor partners that are committing that 265 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 3: believe wholeheartedly in narrative change and our mission aligned with us, 266 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 3: and that we can come in and do it in 267 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 3: a way that is multifaceted and multi dimensional. Because we 268 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 3: know the business and Dan myself, you know, many of 269 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 3: the folks that work here have been in the business 270 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 3: for many years, so we understand those pain points and 271 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 3: we can help solve them. That's going to be a 272 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 3: win win for you know, our stakeholders in the business, 273 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 3: but also for their creators. And then yes, we would 274 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 3: love to be attached to the creators and the projects, 275 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 3: but we want to do that in a way that 276 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,559 Speaker 3: it feels organic and feel that. You know, it's more 277 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:07,839 Speaker 3: of a nod to a thank you to what we've 278 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 3: done as a team altogether to see it all the 279 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 3: way through. 280 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 2: So does that. 281 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 3: Answer your question, Cynthia, I want to make sure. 282 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 2: Yes you have. 283 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 1: I mean, this is a really impressive level of philanthropy 284 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 1: that has just been initiated and funded. I know you 285 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 1: have outside funders, but I mean, this is just an 286 00:14:24,040 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 1: incredible space that I understand was a former abandoned post 287 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: off an abandoned post office, and it just I mean, 288 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: it just goes to show the potential this I can't listeners. 289 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 1: I cannot get over it, like the the just the 290 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 1: coolness of the space. There's wood, there's and there's just 291 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: so much space. It's one of those from the front 292 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: from Beverly Boulevard, you wouldn't think it was so big, 293 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: but it goes back deep and it just has that 294 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: inviting small groups people and so you know when you 295 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: you so you have two hundred, that seems like. 296 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 2: Yes, a lot. 297 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 3: Well, I think so to give you a little bit 298 00:14:57,440 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 3: of history, So last year, in twenty twenty three, which 299 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 3: is a very very you know, frantic year for the 300 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 3: entertainment industry, the program launched. It was incubated during COVID 301 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 3: when Dan and the board went out there. They got 302 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 3: an amazing level of interest from you know, donors in 303 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 3: the philanthropy world, and so they're like, okay, we can 304 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 3: get this on the ground, off the ground. In twenty 305 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 3: twenty three, the selection process started, the cohort was selected, 306 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 3: we had to pause because of the strikes, and so 307 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 3: then it actually launched in the end of twenty twenty three, 308 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 3: in December. 309 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 1: Let me ask you, do the cohorts do they have 310 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: a stipend of any kind? Yes? 311 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 3: Okay, yes. So see there's so many things, Cynthia, So 312 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 3: I think again, you talk about creating a one year 313 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 3: intensive sort of program accelerator for creators and and their stories, 314 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 3: but also for them because we're leveling them up as well. 315 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 3: Part of that is how do we make sure that 316 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 3: on the living stipend we are giving them and compensating 317 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 3: them for their time and allowing them to have that 318 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 3: creative freedom. So yes, there's a stipend. It is fifty 319 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 3: thousand dollars for the fellows and ten thousand dollars for 320 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 3: the residence. Currently, we are rejiggering that a little bit 321 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 3: for our new cohort. So the goal is to go 322 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:06,800 Speaker 3: into the twenty twenty four cohord with a forty thousand 323 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 3: dollars stipend. We are increasing the amount of fellows. They're 324 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 3: all going to be fellows now. And not only do 325 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 3: they have a living stipend, but they have access to 326 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 3: a development fund. And this development fund will give them 327 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 3: access like a studio, to any number of things that 328 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 3: are bespoke to their specific projects. So it may be pitchtick, 329 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 3: it may be a proof of concept, it may be 330 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 3: optioning ip So we want to make sure that we 331 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 3: have that flexibility and we can customize it based on 332 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 3: their creator and based on their stories that they're working on. 333 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: Don't go anywhere. We'll be right back to the ranch 334 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 1: with more from Ride Back Rise CEO Diana mogo Yon. 335 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: After this break, this episode of Strictly Business is brought 336 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: to you by Universal Television presenting Girls five Ev. One 337 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: of Vanity Fair's best shows of twenty twenty four. Girls 338 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 1: five Ever follows a one hit wonder nineties girl group 339 00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: which attempts a comeback while hilariously navigating family and relationships, 340 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: plus the joys and pains of middle age. Girls five 341 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 1: Ever stars Sarah Burrellis, Renee, Elise Goldsberry, Paula pel and 342 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:14,120 Speaker 1: Busy Phillips. Don't miss the series, Vulture calls the funniest 343 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:17,719 Speaker 1: show on television. Girls five Ev is now streaming on 344 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: Netflix and is for your Emmy consideration for Outstanding Comedy 345 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 1: Series and all other eligible categories. And we're back with 346 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 1: more from Ride Back Rise CEO Diana Mogoleon. And this 347 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:38,440 Speaker 1: is for specifically for creators of color people, Yes, a represented. 348 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 3: Background, underrepresented backgrounds, POC, creators writers. It is a writing fellowship, 349 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 3: but we get many writer directors in multi hyphens or 350 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:48,479 Speaker 3: writer directors producers. 351 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:51,679 Speaker 1: Like everybody is a multi hyphen at these have to 352 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:52,439 Speaker 1: be a multi hyphene. 353 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 2: You really do. 354 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's very indicative of the nature of 355 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,080 Speaker 1: the work. I know you've been here, you've been here 356 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:01,360 Speaker 1: for four months and it's clearly been a whirlwind. You've 357 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 1: got a lot going on, But what has you know, 358 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: and you have done development at studio side, at the 359 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 1: network side, what has impressed you about the energy or 360 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,440 Speaker 1: the ideas that you see coming in the door. 361 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:17,840 Speaker 3: Now, what I love the most about the cohort that 362 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 3: we have and the time that I've spent with many 363 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:22,600 Speaker 3: of the writers and writer directors is that first of all, 364 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 3: they run the gamut, so the idea And this is 365 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 3: what I loved about my previous role at Warners at 366 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:30,360 Speaker 3: Stage thirteen is that the ability that you can have 367 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 3: great storytelling and great commercial ideas, whether it's in comedy, horror, comedy, drama, 368 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 3: infusion of ideas. That impresses me that this cohort really 369 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 3: has amazing, authentic personal ideas that are very much personal 370 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 3: to them, but that have great potential to transcend and 371 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 3: to be commercial. Several of them are based on ip 372 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 3: amazing books world building. So what impressive me the most 373 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 3: is the caliber of the fellows and of the cohort, 374 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 3: and their ability and their capability and their willingness to 375 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 3: work on themselves. 376 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:02,000 Speaker 2: There. 377 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 3: I see it like they're thirsty in the desert, and 378 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 3: we are giving them so many angles and so many 379 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:08,679 Speaker 3: different things that they're taking in and they have an 380 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 3: insatial appetite and they take it in. In one month's programming, 381 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 3: for example, we may have creative sessions with you know, 382 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:17,959 Speaker 3: screenwriters that come in and spend intimate time with them. 383 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 3: We'll go to buyers and have intimate meetings with them. 384 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:22,719 Speaker 3: We'll have the modules that are pretty intense. We do 385 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 3: four four to five hour sessions a week where we're 386 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:29,440 Speaker 3: going through each other's projects and giving feedback, and they're 387 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,120 Speaker 3: also you know, going out there. We're doing master classes. 388 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 3: So we have you know, Ava Duvarney coming up on 389 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,520 Speaker 3: July ninth. We just had Jason Blum, So we're hitting 390 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 3: them with all angles on different ways of working on 391 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:42,199 Speaker 3: themselves and their projects. So I am very impressed with 392 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:44,920 Speaker 3: the fact that they show up and they're willing to 393 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:48,640 Speaker 3: work on themselves. Their ideas are going from little concept 394 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 3: all the way to these amazing projects. So I'm impressed 395 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:53,679 Speaker 3: with so many elements of it. I'm so excited about 396 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:55,360 Speaker 3: where they're going to go in their career, and I'm 397 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 3: also excited about the next cohort and how we can 398 00:19:57,880 --> 00:20:00,159 Speaker 3: keep being there as a village as a backbone to 399 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 3: them as they grow. 400 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: What has been as you've been settling into this job, 401 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:07,199 Speaker 1: what's been the reception from the big you know, the 402 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:09,880 Speaker 1: big sort of gatekeepers in Hollywood. I imagine you're making 403 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 1: the rounds and talking to people, and you you know, 404 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 1: you have had a long run at NBC Universal, a 405 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 1: long time at Warner Brothers, so you know your rolodex 406 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:16,720 Speaker 1: is good. 407 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:19,199 Speaker 3: Yes, you know. I'm mining the rolodex because I think 408 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:21,680 Speaker 3: part is firstus introduction, like what is ride Back Rise? 409 00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 3: And I and I jokingly say why should I care? 410 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:25,879 Speaker 3: Like what does it mean for me? Right? And I 411 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:28,399 Speaker 3: feel everybody's very focused on their job and their world. 412 00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 2: Right, You're done for me? 413 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 3: But exactly so, I feel for me, it's about making 414 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,640 Speaker 3: sure that that value proposition is crystal clear. And I'm 415 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,320 Speaker 3: getting myself clear every day in terms of working with 416 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:41,800 Speaker 3: the team and as we are evolving ride back Rise 417 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:44,160 Speaker 3: and doing our strategic plan, you know, two to three 418 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 3: five year plan and thinking about the needs of the 419 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:49,439 Speaker 3: business and the needs of ride Back Rise. So I 420 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:52,119 Speaker 3: would say definitely making the rounds, making the calls, but 421 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:54,360 Speaker 3: also listening. I think it's a bit of a listening tour, 422 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:59,199 Speaker 3: listening to the studio executives and the network executives and 423 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 3: to producers and saying what are your pain points right now? 424 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:03,480 Speaker 3: You know, we know the macro ones have been around, 425 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 3: but how can we help or what are those things 426 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:08,000 Speaker 3: that this month or this week are keeping up at night? 427 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 3: So kind of figuring out those pieces. Sometimes I realize 428 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 3: when we have some of these buyers, even as they 429 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:16,680 Speaker 3: meet our fellows in residents and spend quality time because 430 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 3: usually we have two three hour sessions, whether it's visiting 431 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 3: folks at their studios or offices, or they come here 432 00:21:22,040 --> 00:21:23,879 Speaker 3: to the right back branch and they love it as well. 433 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:27,680 Speaker 3: Is it's really off the record, great conversation. So it's 434 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 3: Vegas rules. You know, what stays says here stays here, 435 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 3: and you get this really frank, honest conversation. Many of 436 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 3: the folks that have come our POC executive So there's 437 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:39,360 Speaker 3: a lot of bonding, there's a lot of great advice 438 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 3: and guidance, and there's also some hard truths like look, 439 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:45,120 Speaker 3: this has to be commercial, or I'm going to read 440 00:21:45,119 --> 00:21:47,160 Speaker 3: the first thirty pages and if I don't like the script, 441 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:48,679 Speaker 3: you know, you've got to make sure it pops. So 442 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:52,040 Speaker 3: there's a lot of good sort of heart truths, but 443 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:54,399 Speaker 3: real guidance that I think is very It's not lost 444 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:56,360 Speaker 3: on me. As I send in these sessions, I learn 445 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:59,200 Speaker 3: in every session, which is amazing. And then they're learning 446 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 3: and taking note as well well, and they're building their 447 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:03,639 Speaker 3: rolodics too, and they're cultivating those new relations which is 448 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:05,679 Speaker 3: very important. So I feel let the industry piece of it, 449 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:07,679 Speaker 3: I'm still making my way through. I want to make 450 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:09,960 Speaker 3: sure we talk to everybody understand it and come in 451 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:12,160 Speaker 3: and saying how can we help, especially in a moment 452 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:14,840 Speaker 3: in time when some of these companies their pipeline programs 453 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:17,880 Speaker 3: are have contracted right and they're not there or they're 454 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,640 Speaker 3: very skeletal, So how can we help compliment that? Being 455 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:24,200 Speaker 3: that we're agnostic and we have obviously a pretty large 456 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 3: scale of you know, writers and writer directors from different genres. 457 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:31,399 Speaker 1: And you're bringing you know, you're coming in with the 458 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 1: very best way to start a meeting, which is you're 459 00:22:34,359 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 1: adding value right there if you're working with and again. 460 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 2: Folks, just the idea. 461 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:43,760 Speaker 1: I can absolutely see, you know, an established director coming 462 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:45,880 Speaker 1: down and having a cup of coffee and people coming 463 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:48,400 Speaker 1: in like, there are so many cool spaces for those 464 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:51,359 Speaker 1: kinds of conversations. And I just I know in my 465 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:55,840 Speaker 1: own experience anecdotally, people are so people of all backgrounds, 466 00:22:55,880 --> 00:23:00,920 Speaker 1: all fates, colors, creens. People want this to happen. It's time. 467 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 1: Everything going on in our culture is so hard, and 468 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:08,000 Speaker 1: storytelling is going to be one of the paths to 469 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:11,320 Speaker 1: figuring it out in a way that in a way 470 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 1: that we in a way that we haven't and that 471 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 1: disconnect right now between our political and cultural world and Hollywood, 472 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 1: where the storytelling is so good and is so strong, 473 00:23:21,240 --> 00:23:25,159 Speaker 1: and we know there is just a generation bursting with talent, 474 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:28,119 Speaker 1: but that but that what we saw in the strike. 475 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,159 Speaker 1: So you had people saying I was thrown in. I 476 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 1: wrote a great script and all of a sudden it 477 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:36,120 Speaker 1: was six episodes and there wasn't that support system the architecture, 478 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:39,359 Speaker 1: Like this is so needed on so many levels. 479 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:41,360 Speaker 3: Totally because what happened and you heard this a lot 480 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:43,719 Speaker 3: during the strikes last year, is it's very transactional, right, 481 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 3: So you feel that very cold, transactional element of the business, 482 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 3: and here's how do we take that? And myriated with 483 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 3: sort of the emotional human grounded elements and put it 484 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:54,959 Speaker 3: together and hopefully create a better version of that still 485 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:58,200 Speaker 3: rooted in truth and hard truths. And this is a sale. 486 00:23:58,200 --> 00:24:00,600 Speaker 3: You got to pitch your heart money make sure and 487 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:02,880 Speaker 3: selling tickets, but how do we make sure we also 488 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:05,919 Speaker 3: honor you know, voice and authenticity And like, I think 489 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:07,959 Speaker 3: you can do both. They're not mutually exclusive, they can 490 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:10,640 Speaker 3: actually coexist. And I think a point on the storytelling, 491 00:24:10,680 --> 00:24:12,640 Speaker 3: which I think is really important. As I've been making 492 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 3: the rounds and meeting with obviously a lot of our 493 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:18,400 Speaker 3: donors and prospective donors and institutions, you know, I talk 494 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 3: to Darren Walker at the Ford Foundation and Sam gil 495 00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 3: at Doris Duke, and I tell them, I say, thank 496 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 3: you so much for supporting us, because you are literally 497 00:24:28,119 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 3: you and the organization and your team are solving the 498 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:34,120 Speaker 3: world's problems. We're talking, you know, from health to parverady 499 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:38,959 Speaker 3: to climate change, and narrative change in storytelling is a 500 00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:41,200 Speaker 3: big problem. And I know it may not sound like 501 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:42,639 Speaker 3: it's the same as those but it is. And we 502 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:44,719 Speaker 3: need everybody at the table to help us solve these 503 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 3: big problems with big solutions. Because narrative change, imagine what 504 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 3: a show like modern family or you know, ugly Betty 505 00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 3: has done to transcend into change public policy. 506 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:56,720 Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying, Will and Grace. We keep 507 00:24:56,720 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 1: going back to that, but it's still true. It is 508 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:03,240 Speaker 1: abs absolutely still true. Did it solve everything? No, LGBT 509 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 1: people still face discrimination and even even violence in some cases, 510 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:10,520 Speaker 1: but it touched a lot of hearts and it's certainly 511 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: better than the alternative. 512 00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:13,720 Speaker 3: Absolutely. I mean, then the list goes on. You know, 513 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:16,240 Speaker 3: look at the last several years, everything everywhere, all at once. 514 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:20,679 Speaker 3: You have beef, you have insecure, you have amazing stories 515 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:25,119 Speaker 3: based and amazing characters that transcend. Look at Barbie So 516 00:25:25,480 --> 00:25:29,639 Speaker 3: what that did to little girls society in the Zeide Guy. So, 517 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:33,280 Speaker 3: storytelling is massive from a cultural social impact life. 518 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:36,960 Speaker 1: It's a soft power, as they always said, it's one 519 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: of the most you know, hard power is ICBM missiles 520 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 1: and guns and ammunition. Hollywood is soft power, but it 521 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: is so influential. And don't get me started on how 522 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:50,840 Speaker 1: rock and roll and movies won the Cold War. 523 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:51,920 Speaker 2: They just did. 524 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,280 Speaker 3: Absolutely, we did. Absolutely, So I think that's a lot 525 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 3: of the sentiment and intent behind you know, what we're 526 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,679 Speaker 3: doing and what dan is created, his vision along with 527 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 3: the board and the team of like, how do we 528 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 3: solve it again? Philanthropic runway that's hopefully a little more patient, 529 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 3: that can be done at scale, that can be really 530 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 3: rooted in mid level POC creators. That is really about 531 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:17,640 Speaker 3: commercial you know, projects in film and TV, so you're 532 00:26:17,680 --> 00:26:20,560 Speaker 3: not silo and you can have cross pollination there. And look, we're, 533 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:22,359 Speaker 3: like I said, we're startup. We're learning as we go. 534 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 3: We want to get stronger and better, and we want 535 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 3: to listen to all of our stakeholders and make sure 536 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:28,240 Speaker 3: that we're super serving them. And at the end of 537 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:30,200 Speaker 3: the day, it's about having great storytellers come to the 538 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:32,959 Speaker 3: program and get work on their projects as we are 539 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:35,240 Speaker 3: working with them on now and on themselves. And that's 540 00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 3: the exciting part. I feel like that's the part I 541 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:40,120 Speaker 3: love the most. You know, coming here, they live practically here, 542 00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 3: they're here in the offices, so we see them, we 543 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:44,399 Speaker 3: see how they work, we see how they think. And 544 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:46,240 Speaker 3: then we also have I mean I haven't mentioned the 545 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 3: creative folks that have lent their time. I mean we 546 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 3: have just like our sharz Orho's an amazing screenwriter and 547 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:54,960 Speaker 3: writer and professor at USC, we have mentors like Robert 548 00:26:55,040 --> 00:26:59,280 Speaker 3: Rodriguez who hit it off completely with his fellows. They've 549 00:26:59,359 --> 00:27:01,720 Speaker 3: like texting every day and so you can tell it's 550 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:03,879 Speaker 3: a sort of a mutual admirage in society. You have 551 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 3: a Dell Limb, you have k Egan, Like, it's an 552 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 3: amazing the amount of people that have leng their time. 553 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,000 Speaker 3: We have mark Off and that's going to come in 554 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 3: next month and work on a pitch module with the team. 555 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:14,040 Speaker 3: So we want to get the best and the best 556 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:15,879 Speaker 3: that are out there. Many of them are working, so 557 00:27:15,880 --> 00:27:18,080 Speaker 3: we're trying to figure out when they have time to 558 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:19,960 Speaker 3: come and lend their time and figure out a way 559 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:22,080 Speaker 3: that they can, you know, really elevate against the covert 560 00:27:22,119 --> 00:27:22,960 Speaker 3: that we have this year. 561 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:25,920 Speaker 1: I excuse me, I have to believe that there is 562 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:29,760 Speaker 1: an overwhelming amount of love and support for this effort. 563 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:32,439 Speaker 1: It is really, really incredible. Let me ask you a 564 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:35,080 Speaker 1: tough question. Sure, let me ask you from your experience 565 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:37,600 Speaker 1: working in the you know, very high levels of some 566 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:41,440 Speaker 1: of the biggest media companies. It's a hard it's hard 567 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: to a single answer, but some of clearly, some of 568 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:48,000 Speaker 1: what you've designed here is designed to address what are 569 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:52,119 Speaker 1: the hurdles for for executives of color. For creatives of color, 570 00:27:52,560 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 1: what in your experience like, what are the what are 571 00:27:56,359 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 1: the biggest hurdles to getting things through the traditional pipe? Fine, 572 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:03,480 Speaker 1: I know that's a hard thing to answer, but is 573 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:05,439 Speaker 1: there any one or two things that stands out in 574 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:09,360 Speaker 1: your mind that like people, especially as we're the very outset. 575 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:11,919 Speaker 1: I know the idea of development season is, I know, 576 00:28:13,320 --> 00:28:15,679 Speaker 1: but people are reading scripts and as people are, you know, 577 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:18,719 Speaker 1: people across the industry are thinking about that and doing that. Like, 578 00:28:18,760 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 1: what if there were one or two things you could 579 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 1: ask Hollywood to not do or do better? 580 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:24,240 Speaker 2: What would it be? 581 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:24,760 Speaker 1: Oh? 582 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:27,320 Speaker 3: My goodness, I would say take more risks. I think 583 00:28:27,359 --> 00:28:29,560 Speaker 3: to me when I was when we were at Warner 584 00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:32,520 Speaker 3: Brothers and we were id eating around what stage tritium 585 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 3: could be in the possibility what we were trying to 586 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:38,160 Speaker 3: solve for it really was about thinking, you know, in 587 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 3: a risk mitigation, but in a way that allowed us 588 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:41,840 Speaker 3: to have some risk. 589 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:42,120 Speaker 2: Right. 590 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 3: I think when you played safe and when you do 591 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 3: risk completely, you're not going to take those chances. I 592 00:28:47,680 --> 00:28:48,320 Speaker 3: mean either. 593 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:51,800 Speaker 1: Wacky domestic comedy, yeah, fat Husband, cute Wilight? 594 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:54,320 Speaker 2: Have we seen that enough to totally? So you have 595 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:55,080 Speaker 2: to take risks. 596 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 3: And I think that when I say that, what that 597 00:28:57,480 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 3: actually means for executives and the people that are making 598 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:01,640 Speaker 3: those decision is that you have to step outside of 599 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:04,400 Speaker 3: your comfort zone. You have to go to frames or 600 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 3: reference and maybe you're not as familiar. So that means 601 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:11,959 Speaker 3: not putting you know, Latinos in a box or Asian 602 00:29:11,960 --> 00:29:15,160 Speaker 3: Americans or API story. So it's saying like, yeah, actually 603 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:17,000 Speaker 3: something that looks a little bit different, like a beef, 604 00:29:17,120 --> 00:29:20,040 Speaker 3: look at that amazing. So you have to take risks 605 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 3: on creators, on stories, on distribution, like everything, every element 606 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:25,680 Speaker 3: of the funnel. You have to take a little bit 607 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:27,479 Speaker 3: of risk, even in the marketing of it. So if 608 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 3: we take and I'm not saying it has to be 609 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:32,640 Speaker 3: full on, go to Vegas, gamble everything, but it is 610 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:36,400 Speaker 3: about calculated, informed risks. So that means you have to 611 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:38,040 Speaker 3: know your audience. You have to really know who you're 612 00:29:38,080 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 3: super serving. And I think that Hollywood executives and Hollywood 613 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:43,720 Speaker 3: folks think they know think they know the audiences, but 614 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:47,120 Speaker 3: they truly don't. Having been at Mundoz many moons ago, 615 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:48,640 Speaker 3: and I know you were there because you were at 616 00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:51,360 Speaker 3: our upfronts and you understood the audience when we and 617 00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:55,240 Speaker 3: our team was saying, regional Mexican is the bread and butter, 618 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:58,520 Speaker 3: this is the you know what is it pulsing heart 619 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:01,720 Speaker 3: of the audience. That was how many years ago, Cynthia, 620 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 3: who are the biggest artists in the world. 621 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:05,600 Speaker 2: A regional Mexican start? 622 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:09,080 Speaker 3: Thank you, thank you, so thank you, Cynthia say, you 623 00:30:09,080 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 3: know the artists. So we were we were saying this 624 00:30:11,240 --> 00:30:12,640 Speaker 3: for fifteen years. So I think the other part I 625 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:15,080 Speaker 3: would tell Hollywood is listen, Listen to the folks and 626 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:18,480 Speaker 3: your team, look around the boardroom, look around the decisions 627 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:20,479 Speaker 3: you're making, and make sure you have all voices at 628 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:24,840 Speaker 3: the table. Because your next big hit, your next big idea, 629 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:27,200 Speaker 3: maybe coming from an intern, maybe coming from an assistant, 630 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:29,840 Speaker 3: maybe coming from a manager on the team. So if 631 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 3: you create a foster environment to have all voices at 632 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:35,920 Speaker 3: the table and about ideas and audiences and trends and 633 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:38,640 Speaker 3: all those things, which is how great things are created. 634 00:30:38,720 --> 00:30:41,040 Speaker 3: Think MTV in the day, then that's where you're going 635 00:30:41,080 --> 00:30:43,160 Speaker 3: to get the best of the best. And again be 636 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:46,160 Speaker 3: in the trenches with the audience, not in a glass tower, 637 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 3: you know, in Beverly Hills. 638 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:52,520 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening. 639 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:55,680 Speaker 1: Be sure to leave us a review at Apple Podcasts 640 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:59,520 Speaker 1: and Amazon Music. We love to hear from listeners. Please 641 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:02,320 Speaker 1: go to our com and sign up for the free 642 00:31:02,520 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: weekly Strictly Business newsletter, and don't forget to tune in 643 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:18,120 Speaker 1: next week for another episode of Strictly Business. This episode 644 00:31:18,120 --> 00:31:21,480 Speaker 1: of Strictly Business is brought to you by UCP Presenting 645 00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:25,000 Speaker 1: Based on a True Story. Kaylee Quoco and Chris Messina 646 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:28,280 Speaker 1: star in the dark comedic thriller about a realtor, a 647 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 1: former tennis star, and a plumber who sees a unique 648 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:35,520 Speaker 1: opportunity to capitalize on America's obsession with true crime. The 649 00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:39,120 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Time says the series is fast paced, sardonic, 650 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:43,400 Speaker 1: and highly entertaining. All episodes are now streaming on Peacock. 651 00:31:43,720 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 1: Based on a True Story is for your Emmy consideration 652 00:31:47,040 --> 00:31:50,240 Speaker 1: in all categories, including Outstanding Comedy Series.