[vc_row type=”4″ padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″][vc_column][vc_column_text]This week CaribbeanTales is profiling Lea Marin, a prolific producer with deep legs in the Canadian film community. Lea has been producing for almost 20 years, her films have accumulated multiple awards and attention. She seems to have an eye on the tipping point in socio-economic issues and plants herself and her projects firmly at the forefront of them. Currently in her longstanding post as producer at the National Film Board, Lea came into the spotlight recently with Charles Officer’s prescient film on gentrification ‘ Unarmed Verses’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Q: You have been quoted as saying that ‘cinema has always had a profound effect on me’. What draws you to the role of producer as opposed to the other roles in filmmaking? A: Being a Producer allows me to be involved in every aspect of the creation of a film, and once I experienced that, it became clear that this was the role for me. Q: You’ve earned quite a track record with your films. What do you think makes a successful film? A: One never knows whether a film will be successful or not, and there are of course many factors that need to come in to play to ensure success, but I do believe that what is essential to any film is… 1) Knowing who you’re making the film for. Who is your audience? 2) Understanding what it is that you’re trying to communicate to an audience. By that, I mean not only knowing what the story is, but what the film is about.
An Examined Life
Q: . If an emerging producer has an idea for a film, how would you suggest they go about starting the process? A: I would suggest that they begin by considering the team that will collaborate with them to make this film. Whose work do you admire, who do you think has the ability to bring to the table what you need to turn your idea in to a reality? I would also suggest speaking to a senior producer(s) in the industry that might be able to provide you with advice on first steps, and potentially support you as an Executive Producer to help you navigate your path. Q:. What do you look for in a collaborator? A: I look for people who themselves like to collaborate. For me this means, an openness and respect for the ideas, commitment, energy and talent that everyone brings to the table of a production. Filmmaking is a team sport, and in order to bring a project to fruition, we rely on the input, contributions, and investments of others. It’s important that we never lose sight of that.
An Examined Life
Q: Do you have a dream project or goal? Something you haven’t achieved yet but would like to? A: Hmmm…there are a couple of subjects, and issues that I come back to regularly, but I’m not ready to share what they are just yet. More to come soon….[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
