Name: Most Powerful Women Summit 2024: Hollywood Power Panel
Uploaded: 2024-10-16
Duration: 19 min 34 s
Description: Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group, Debra Martin Chase, Chief Executive Officer, Martin Chase Productions, Nina Shaw, Founding Partner, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang, Sharon Waxman, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, CEO, TheWrap

Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group, Debra Martin Chase, Chief Executive Officer, Martin Chase Productions, Nina Shaw, Founding Partner, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang, Sharon Waxman, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, CEO, TheWrap 

Most Powerful Women Summit 2024: Hollywood Power Panel  

Conferences

Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group
Debra Martin Chase, Chief Executive Officer, Martin Chase Productions, Nina Shaw, Founding Partner, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang, Sharon Waxman, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, CEO, TheWrap 

Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group, Debra Martin Chase, Chief Executive Officer, Martin Chase Productions, Nina Shaw, Founding Partner, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang

Pearlena Igbokwe, Universal Studio Group, Debra Martin Chase, Martin Chase Productions, Nina Shaw, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang, Sharon Waxman, Founder, TheWrap 

All right. Hello. Hello everyone. Welcome. Um to this amazing assortment of powerhouse women who run the entertainment industry. Uh Pretty much pretty much. Ok, so, uh we're gonna get right to it right down to it. Um It's a tough time in the entertainment industry. People are being laid off, companies are going away. Companies are consolidating. Um You guys are in the trenches of it every day. So let's just talk, take it, get like, let's get real your view. How bad is it right now in the entertainment industry, you have many decades of experience between you, Palena. We'll start with you. How bad is it? Yeah. You know, look, I tend not to be an alarmist. You know, I think that there's probably lots of different times in our business when people thought it was the worst it's ever been. It's definitely challenging right now because I think there's been a lot of disruption in our business and people are being forced to rethink the business wholesale, which I think is really troubling for a lot of people. But I think in the midst of challenges, there's also opportunities to rethink the business, you know, and and perhaps it's an opportunity for us to, you know, think about how do we do it differently and who we do it with differently. So, yeah, it's, it's challenging, but I, I don't think it's necessarily horrible. Here's two things. One I have learned over the course of, you know, whatever 30 plus years you have to stay open and stay nimble because there's this, this build, this, this business is influenced by technology, culture, politics, you know, global economy. So you, you have to try and live in the present but also always look for it. But what I will say from the 30 years that I've been in business diversity is now a part of the business in a way that it has not been in the past. And part of that is a real recognition that there's money to be made. I mean, I was, you know, making this argument for years that diversity was good business and people were like, oh, I don't know if we haven't tried it out. We're scared to try it out. But now they know. And so there are more opportunities in many ways now now than there were even a decade ago. Yeah, let's talk a little bit more about that in a minute, Nina. What's your thought? Yeah, I, I tend to agree with um my colleagues uh because this is something that we see in the business and we've seen all along. I can remember when um cable TV, when the DV DVD world. So all these different things happened. Um, and it always felt like we weren't going to move along. The truth of it is, is that people have become much more adept at doing things in different ways. For example, you see a number of people in the business who really are small business owners and they're doing them in their homes at their computers. Uh So we see the advent of influencers and the way that they have impacted the business now, that's a group in the business that didn't exist 1015 years ago. And they have changed in many ways, the product we're seeing children's programming moving away from networks and broadcasting and into youtube. So, so every change is an opportunity, but it is a difficult time and I don't, certainly don't want to make. Um I don't, I don't wanna not talk about the people in the business, many of the below the line people who are finding it very difficult to adjust and, and we're seeing, I think for them a very, very tough times, but I have hope that we will come through it and yet um for each of you, um I think it's worth acknowledging each of you in your own careers, whether it's in the studio system or whether it's in independent producing or whether it's as uh a le a legal representation for so many people, Ava Duvernay and John Legend. And so many people I can go on about all their credits. It's like, absolutely remarkable. We have on this, we only have 20 minutes. So, um, what allowed you to think that there was a place for you because there were no models for the people. You were at a young age. And, well, I want to talk about each of your paths because they're so remarkable whether you're from New York or Illinois or Nigeria. Um, it's, um, it's an act of faith to create that path. And here you are now, still going strong, having incredible careers at a time where a lot of people are having to abandon the business frankly because it is so difficult, you know, how, how did you like, project yourself into the sort of key role you have now, you know, in some ways and in a very odd way. Um, it was a lack of opportunities that really made this so clear for me. I really didn't have. I remember when I was, I had gone a very traditional path after Columbia law school, gone to Big Law. And then from there, I was trying to get into the entertainment industry in, in the boutique law firm and no one would hire me. It was just an amazing experience to be as, as experienced a lawyer. I was with the kind of credentials I had and be unable to find a job. So I just went, I answered an ad in the news paper and ended up in a small law firm with great lawyers who ultimately trained me to be an even better entertainment lawyer. And then when it was time for me, I felt it was time to strike out on my own. It wasn't really a lot of other options. It was so funny how a lack of options can make, you can make your path very, very clear. And I ended up beginning my law firm. We just had our 35th anniversary. Um um I think with, with, um out being immodest, we are absolutely considered one of the top law firms and we're both with her would have been just kind of awkward otherwise. So sometimes when the doors are all seem to be closed, your way forward actually is a bit clearer because it's going to be what you make it. And that was really the lesson that I took from this. And I had such a great family, such as so many strong women in my family that, you know, they could do it. I had to do it, Deborah, how are you? So, I'd always loved film and television. My dad was huge, film, television buff. I was a lawyer. I practiced, you know, Harvard law school, big law firm, whatever. And I decided that what I really wanted to do in life was to make movies. I didn't know that nobody who looked like us was making movies. So it was actually you know, I got, when I got to Hollywood and I looked around and I'm like, really? And so, but I had, I, I was determined to do it. I wanted to do it and I figured other people are doing it so I can do it, which has been my philosophy, my whole life. So in some ways, it was like, you know, the ignorance of the situation, but also a belief in myself by that time because, you know, I, I successful kind of everything that I tried to do. And this is the thing I really wanted to do and I really wanted to have an impact on culture. I grew up not seeing people who look like us or felt like us on the screen. And I wanted to change that. And let's, let's, let's talk about some of the shows that you've made over the course of your career that have changed the way uh popular culture appears on, on our screens. Uh I mean, I know you, I, I can mention them. I mean, you did the Pelican brief and I, I actually do you ran Denzel Walk? We did uh devil in a blue dress and encouraging the fire and the preacher's wife and I picked the one that you didn't produce. OK. Di I say the Pri Cinderella Cinderella Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. One, am I right? OK. So stuff that equalizer, equalizer. OK. Together. Yeah. So these are things that have really had a big impact on shaping what, what the conversation is, what's conventional wisdom, what's normal, what's interesting and I'm really proud of it. All right. And thank you for that and should be Palena. So, you know, I was born in Nigeria, came to this country when I was very young. So I was obsessed with television because that's how I got acclimated to this country. And I think that's similar, similar story for a lot of, you know, immigrants and, you know, TV teaches you, you know, in some ways like values, like what are you supposed to aspire to? What are you supposed to believe in? Um And so I had this deep seated desire one day to, to work in television, but it's deep seated because I never thought it would happen because I didn't know anyone who worked in TV. And it wasn't until I got to college and I was looking for a summer job one day I saw on the board it says NBC was looking for summer associates colleges. Yale, by the way. So, you know, so, so it was like my mind exploded because I didn't know that people worked in television and they could pay you to make TV shows. So I applied, I got the job and I spent two summers in New York and it was like life changing for me. II, I was in the business, you know, and then I had to figure out how to get a, uh, a permanent job in the business. That was not as easy as I thought I applied everywhere and no one wanted me. Um, so I went to do something else and worked in financial services for a while. And then I decided when I, I want to go back into entertainment and figure it out, I went to business school and then eventually, uh, made my way into a Showtime network on the marketing side, hoping one day I'd get to the entertainment side and I did after a few years and I came out to L A and I was just determined to go, you know, for my path. Now. It's interesting because already I, where I was, I felt so improbable, you know that, oh my gosh, I'm this immigrant kid who's now in entertainment. I kind of felt like there's nothing I can't do because I've already done this. And what made me feel like there was a path for me. I went to an event and I saw this woman who was a producer, she had produced Courage under fire. And, you know, all those other things that she produced and I saw her and I said, oh my God, there's this black woman who's a producer out there, you know, producing these amazing shows and by the way, always looking amazing. And uh and, and so I thought, like, wouldn't it be great to try to, you know, that maybe I could find, um, you know, a path in there as well. So, um, so that's, you know, it, it is a little bit of not knowing any better, you know, and sometimes not having another, you know, option. Um, that sort of gets you there and just, you know, it's a slow and steady path. It, it wasn't like I had a friend or an uncle who called someone and got ready for the job. Mine was, I say to people, I was the third. You guys are the anti nepo lady. I mean, I say to people, I was a 30 year overnight sensation. You know, like when I got this job, when I got this job, you know, uh as chairman, I mean, pe it was kind of like rich. She came out of nowhere, you know, and got this job and, you know, and that's for some people that was the perception and for me, it was, you know, steadily working in the business and hopefully performing well, you know, to get this job, I just want to mention a few of the shows that Palina has been, I don't have only have a couple of cards here, but at Showtime, Dexter nurse Jackie. Um is there anything you want to mention from your showtime at the moment? Masters of Masters of Sex. I love that series at NBC. She was responsible. Shows like this is us the black list. You've heard of any of the shows. Um, um, she was all, she's right now she's in charge of, um, NBC. Like a lot of production that includes things you're not seeing. You ever watched a Law and Order or? That's right. But then also, then also hacks hack girl, five of any, any winning hack, the Gilded Age bel Air Umbrella Academy. So, really? Yeah. And I, yeah, ok. Stop there Sharon. But I wanted to also point out that, you know, it looks like you're here and you've been here and it's always been like this, this, you know, you talk about the beginning of your career and nobody would give you a job. But even when you're on the path of a career, there are moments that are really challenging and when you ask yourself, can I continue to do this? And I just wanna ask you Deborah because you and I spoke, she was in Prague the other night at 11 p.m. talking to me awfully nice location scouting. Um So that's, you know, the job's fun for sure. But I mean, it's high risk and you mentioned that like that's something if I have it right that 10 years ago. So quit. Yeah, I was out so talk, talk about that. I just, you know, it was a time in the business, knows for sure because I was sitting over your house in tears. But um it was just a time in the business where nobody was interested in making TV or movies about women, about women of color, about people of color. It just was not happening. I would go in the pitch stuff. People's eyes would glaze over and, and, and, and, and honestly, I, I do believe part of my success is that I have been on a mission, you know, like I said, I wanted to have an impact on culture and imagery. And so then all of a sudden I found myself just throwing stuff up against the wall like, oh, this is a story about a dude. It just didn't, you know, it didn't have meaning for me. And if it doesn't have meaning for me, I can't sell it, I can't shape it. And so I, um and so I, I said, finally, I'm like, well, maybe this is the universe's way of saying it's been a good run. You need to think about doing something else. And so I literally spend, I've been at Disney for 20 years, grateful for that. But also, you know, had become kind of legacy wallpaper because everybody who was invested in me personally was long gone. And so I took a year what, you know, I'm still working, but to explore their options, should I practice law, film, finance, you know, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, whatever. And when I finally decided that no, this is, well, actually Vernon Jordan was the one who, who's a longtime friend and I was 18. I had known him since I was 18 years old and I went in and I told him this whole story was a known expert in the entertainment industry, but like AAA expert in my life in my life and knew me well. And he sat there and he listened to me and poured my heart out and he looked at me and he said, you are too old to do anything else. He said, what a warm heart, right? He said, you, you have a great reputation, you have great relationships, you have great experience, you need to figure out how to make it work. And it was that kind of boom, boom, you know that I was like, yes, you're right. And, and also I want to say one thing, literally, these women have held me up and I know we've helped each other. And so that and for this audience, you know, it's really important to know for a long time and, and that's important. No, it is. Uh Deborah and I actually met, I was a summer clerk. Deborah was a paralegal law firm and it was me and her and Anita Hill. And we were like, we were the three, we were the three black women, right? Yeah. And Anita was AAA summer clerk also. And I've known for Lena since the very early, I was, yeah. Now we work together and now when I took over a studio, I said, what producers do? I want to be in business? He called me uh you know, out of the blue and said, you know, are you interested? And I'm like, yes, yes. So it's the sisterhood is really important that that is so a let's tell you, there's representation that you guys are, have carved pathways for representation. You have created a sisterhood. And i it's really visible um throughout the industry, the number of women of color who are dominating in the industry. It is a, it's Shanda Rai who said that she was your intern or something like that when we talk about mentorship, right? These things really do matter and your careers are long enough that you're not, you're still working and people who were your interns are, no, I like, you know, didn't know at the time but like are in their prime, you know, from Shonda who wrote Princess Diaries Two for me and Hathaway, I discovered and Blake lively and Jesse Williams. I mean, so now all of a sudden, I I got the end with, you know, but it's, it's such an important point because I think these relationships are the things that hold you up in the world and you have to stay close to them. I mean, I have this great relationship with John legend, which is because of you because remember that night, so I called, I called Nina. I said they called me his producing partner called they need a lawyer. Nina was in the car that night met me at John's house, signed John and got the bonus of Chrissy and got the bonus of the whole family. And, and then John called me and said, well, I there's this young woman, she's from Philly, blah, blah, blah, on and on. And it turned out to be Linta Bronson who created this great show, Abbott Elementary. And all of these are this all started with me going to John's house that night with you. OK. So that, that those are all words of wisdom. They're gonna make me rap. I'm not going before I hear from each of you 30 days to the election. Kamala or Trump. What's your case? Oh Come on, we know we know it matters to everybody on this stage. Not. Who are you voting for? Who do you think? Oh, Kamala Car Carolina. Is this a question like three more questions? Kamala? All right. Yeah. OK. You heard it here. Thank you guys.