Monica Levinson
Why working on set still takes a Creative producing approach
Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you’re back rested and energized for 2024! We are kicking off new beginnings with an old friend…the prolific film and television producer, Monica Levinson.
Some of her impressive credits include Borat, Brüno, Zoolander, Dodgeball, Larry David's Clear History, Tara Miele's Wander Darkly, David Oyelowo's The Water Man, and Aaron Sorkin's The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Starting her career in broadcast news in her hometown of Washington, D.C., Monica transitioned into narrative storytelling by working with visionary directors, including Alan J. Pakula and Sidney Lumet.
She most recently produced Old Dads, the Netflix comedy written, directed, and starring Bill Burr, which did really well on the platform when it dropped last October.
On top of a busy producing career, she is also an executive board member of AMPAS, PGA, DGA, and on the leadership team for the Women's Production Society.
Mentorship is very important to her, and she certainly walks the walk. I count myself lucky to know her as an ally and a mentor. She's constantly giving back, and she drops lots of gems during our chat.
We discuss how important the jobs that aren’t exactly what you want to do are, as they can provide a foundation for the jobs you do want. We also give our advice on production collaboration and how it still takes personal creativity!
Happy listening!
xx cg
“I realized I wanted to be more of a creative producer as opposed to a line producer, but I knew that I was good at [it], so… I had to use that to move me into the place I wanted to be.”
- Monica Levinson
Episode Transcript
