Elizabeth Cantillon
The Legendary Hollywood Exec and Producer breaks down the key differences between the two roles
Elizabeth Cantillon is a producer and principal of Bisous Pictures, a romance label under MRC Film. In 2022, she completed a film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion starring Dakota Johnson on Netflix.
A Los Angeles native, Elizabeth has extensive experience working as a studio executive and a producer. She also had a brief stint at UCLA, where she taught screenplay development for producers.
Cantillon previously served as EVP of Production at Columbia Pictures. During her tenure there, she oversaw Academy Award winners The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the last four installments of James Bond movies, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre.
The films she has worked on as a studio executive have garnered more than $300 million at the box office worldwide.
In 2014, Elizabeth left Columbia Pictures to go back to her first love of producing with a first look deal at Sony under The Cantillion Company. While there, she produced Concussion, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, and Persuasion.
Currently, Elizabeth is producing The Nightingale, an American drama film based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah.
Gems from our chat include:
The difference between a studio executive and a producer.
How to achieve gender parity in film production.
And, the importance of setting boundaries.
Tune in!
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“The singleness of purpose and the focus of a producer cannot be accomplished at the same level of detail and impact by a studio executive.”
- Elizabeth Cantillon
Episode Transcript
