Michelle Purple
Why Expanding Your network Every Chance You can leads to success
Michelle Purple is a classic movie lover who also happens to own a production company with her close friend, Jessica Biel.
They met on the set of Stealth and became fast friends, bonding over films in Jessica’s trailer. When Jessica poked her to start a production company together, Michelle was hesitant. She was nervous to work with her friend and running an actor based company.
She set her fears aside and eventually said yes.
Twelve years later, Iron Ocean Productions is a thriving production company that enhances strong female voices.
Iron Ocean Productions’ most recent project was Facebook Watch’s Limetown, in which Biel starred opposite Stanley Tucci. The show premiered in Fall 2019 to over 10 million viewers in the first 72 hours.
Prior to this, the shingle had USA’s limited TV series The Sinner, which has enjoyed three consecutive seasons, resulting in multiple award nominations, including Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice award nominations for best actress for Biel. The duo also received many nominations as executive producers.
They recently wrapped production on the pilot for EOne/FreeForm’s upcoming TV show Cruel Summer, starring Olivia Holt. It’s been picked up by the network and is going to series.
In addition to Cruel Summer, Iron Ocean is simultaneously producing adaptations of the New York Times best seller, Where They Found Her, and the Chris Cleave Novel Gold with Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, as well as having the comedic satirical parody series Going Doll in development. Earlier this year, the production company inked a two-year first-look deal with Paramount Television Studios, which also includes scripted television projects.
Michelle's heart and passion for this industry are truly palpable and can be heard in this week’s episode. I can’t wait to meet her in real life whenever the world opens back up!
Tune in as she shines a light on what it’s like to work with Jessica, the grief and heartbreak that come with producing, and the realities of having a first-look deal.
Happy listening!
xx cg
"Never in a million years when we were shooting [FAST AND THE FURIOUS] with Paul, and Vin, and young actors in gritty LA did we think it was going to become what it become. Never.”
- Michelle Purple
Episode Transcript
