Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa

What does it take to hike 26 miles at 14,000 feet with no signal, no Uber, and two of the funniest people alive? We're about to find out. Join me as I sit down with comedy legends Bob Odenkirk and David Cross at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival to discuss their documentary Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu — a film about friendship, mortality, and what happens when Hollywood strips away and the mountain shows you who you actually are. Plus: Why David chose Bob for this — and why Bob almost said no How Bob's heart attack during Better Call Saul gave the whole journey a different kind of weight The moment the mountain cracked them both open — and what they found on the other side Special thanks to Greenslate, Theorem Media, and Portrait for making this panel happen! Greenslate has been a longtime partner of AOP and it never gets old talking about the ways they have revolutionized production payroll and accounting for independent film. They had 22 projects at Tribeca this year and Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu was the one we chose to spotlight, via their client Left/Right. AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/ AOP WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@angleonproducers Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6UBux9RgxeW1MiQDXSMrnr iTunes: https://apple.co/3FDyhmC JOIN THE AOP COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn: / bit.ly/2BqHs8L QUESTIONS ❔Answering your questions on our Subtasck! Submit here: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com

Happy Tuesday! Today is 11/11, a series of numbers that many see as a symbol of spiritual awakening, synchronicity, and alignment with the universe. I'm not too superstitious about these things, but when I catch it, it brings a smile to my face. Is it divine intervention or coincidence? And does it matter? In thinking about alignment, it feels very apropos to be sharing this particular conversation today with self-described nerdy fangirls Adamma and Adanne Ebo, the identical twin powerhouse behind the indie breakout film Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. We met making this film back in 2021—I remember we were in prep when the Ebos were about to turn 30. The incredible ascension they've experienced over these last five years is the epitome of alignment and synchronicity. Shortly after wrapping Honk, Adamma was tapped to direct her first television episode on Donald Glover's Atlanta—the kind of opportunity that only comes when talent meets the right moment. Timing really is everything, and while their success is absolutely the product of talent, hard work, and vision, there's also been a beautiful alignment of opportunities, relationships, and moments that propelled them forward. Call it luck, call it the universe conspiring—either way, their story is inspiring. From their days at Spelman College to making their feature debut with Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul, they've blazed their own path in this industry. Honk premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance in 2022 and sold to Focus Features. The film stars Sterling K. Brown—who was also on the podcast this season with wonderful stories about working with the Ebos—and the incomparable Regina Hall, who delivers a masterclass performance as the first lady of a Southern megachurch. Since then, they've written and produced on some of the buzziest shows in recent TV: Peacock's Poker Face, Amazon's Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Swarm. They're now a sought-after creative duo with an overall deal at Sony Television. Today we're diving into how they protected their artistic vision as first-time filmmakers, why confidence matters more than experience, and how their twin relationship became their secret weapon in Hollywood. xx cg AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/ LISTEN TO THE SHOW Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6UBux9RgxeW1MiQDXSMrnr iTunes: https://apple.co/3FDyhmC JOIN THE AOP COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn: / bit.ly/2BqHs8L QUESTIONS ❔Answering your questions on Tuesdays in our newsletter! Submit here: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com

*Today's episode is brought to you by InkTip, a trusted cornerstone of the independent film industry, connecting talented filmmakers with visionary screenwriters. Head to InkTip.com to learn more.* What does it take to transition from behind the camera to the director's chair? In this inspiring conversation, Jihane Mrad Balaa shares her remarkable 20-year journey from Lebanese immigrant to working on major shows like American Horror Story, 9-1-1, and Bumblebee—before finally making the leap to directing her own feature film. Jihane opens up about: ✨ Why being "normal and pleasant" is her secret to success in Hollywood 🎬 How she found her feature film script on InkTip 💪 The harsh realities of producing your first independent film 🎥 Shooting a murder mystery feature in 10 days 👥 What she learned observing 50+ directors—both good and bad 🚀 How diversity hiring became her "foot in the door" and why she embraced it This conversation is packed with honest, tactical advice for anyone looking to transition between departments or produce their first project. Whether you're a camera operator dreaming of directing, a PA trying to move up, or a filmmaker seeking financing, Jihane's story proves that with persistence, positivity, and the right partnerships, anything is possible. xx cg AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/ WATCH/LISTEN Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angleonproducers Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6UBux9RgxeW1MiQDXSMrnr iTunes: https://apple.co/3FDyhmC JOIN THE AOP COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn: / bit.ly/2BqHs8L

Madelaine Petsch has a penchant for divisive female characters.You may know her best as from her role as Cheryl Blossom in the CW's hit series Riverdale," which ran for 7 seasons. She's recently been evolving into one of Hollywood's most promising young producers. She's currently starring in and producing the next installment of "The Strangers" horror trilogy for Lionsgate, which hits theaters this Friday, September 26th. You can also catch her in the Amazon rom-com "Maintenance Required" on October 8th. In one film she's being chased by masked strangers; in the other, she's running from love. It was exciting to catch Madelaine in these early days of her shift into producing, especially when so many are skeptical of that leap. She's refreshingly candid about the brutal realities of fame—death threats, having her address posted online, and the strategic decision to delete her entire YouTube channel after millions of views. We explore how her South African immigrant parents shaped her work ethic, why she's drawn to complex female characters, and the politics of producer credits. And yes, before you ask—she can change your brake pads. xx CG

This week, we hear from Donna Washington, FilmLA's VP of Permit Operations. After the June 20th Board of Public Works hearing in Los Angeles, I was taken aback by the outrage and frustration permeating the halls of City Hall. So many folks I've grown up on set with voiced their extreme concern with the permitting process and costs in LA - one of the main blockers keeping productions from coming or staying here. Donna has been with FilmLA since its very beginning in 1995. She's witnessed firsthand the evolution from LA's golden era of production - when they were processing nearly 40,000 shoot days a year - to the current reality where production has dropped by 53% in just the last five years. While FilmLA is not the sole cause of the production exodus, it certainly has not helped. I wanted to invite Donna on to address this criticism head-on and discuss the misconceptions about who sets what fees, Film LA's 17-point plan to streamline the permitting process, and how FilmLA actually functions compared to film commissions in other states. This isn't about pointing fingers - it's about understanding the system, identifying the problems, and working together on solutions. Because as Donna puts it, FilmLA doesn't exist if the industry doesn't exist. And right now, with a 400% uptick in applications following California's increased tax incentives, we're at a critical moment that could determine the future of filmmaking in Los Angeles. This impacts all of us and requires all of us to work towards a solution.

Kicking off the new season with the spirited Adria Arjona for what was, incredibly, her first solo podcast ever. As someone whose face is literally on billboards outside my place currently, I found this fact both shocking and oddly kismet. It's a special treat to share this unexpected and refreshing punk rock side of her with you all. What you'll discover about Adria is that beyond being gorgeous – which, obviously – she's a dynamic, perceptive citizen of the world with a penchant for doing "bad things." And I mean that in the best possible way. She's the kind of person who makes you immediately start plotting how to become her best friend. Born in Puerto Rico, half Guatemalan, raised in Mexico, and shaped by a nomadic childhood following her father Ricardo Arjona on tour – one of the best-selling Latin American artists of all time – Adria learned early that home isn't a place, it's found in people and rituals. A lesson that serves her well in an industry that keeps her constantly moving between London, LA, and everywhere in between. There are SO many gems here, but a few that really stayed with me is how selling merch on her dad's tours taught her the art of hustling, a career-changing audition failure, and how producing has changed her as an actor for the better. AOP SUBSTACK 📫 Musings, Mixers, Workshops, and Exclusive Content https://angleonproducers.substack.com/ JOIN AOP PATREON https://www.patreon.com/angleonproducers JOIN THE AOP COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: / https://instagram.com/carolinagroppa | https://instagram.com/angleonproducers 📱 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina_groppa 👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn: / bit.ly/2BqHs8L QUESTIONS ❔Answering your questions on Tuesdays in our newsletter! Submit here: anglonproducerspodcast@gmail.com

Monday vibes got you down? Let's flip that energy! 🎬 We are gearing up to launch a new season of the show, but in the meantime, I wanted to share what I've been up to behind the scenes. We've been focused on elevating all across the board--from our content, to our vibrant new set by Sara Silkwood (https://www.sarasilkwood.me/), and intentional community engagement. After 6 years of a mostly solo podcasting hustle, I'm finally ready to share what's been happening behind the scenes—from our incredible Summer Cafecito series to landing at a Hollywood soundstage where Lucille Ball once walked. This summer was filled with elevation: Cannes Film Festival, new studio, growing team, and big plans ahead. Plus the real talk about funding this passion project solo while building something sustainable for our creative community. Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes and creative industry real talk ✨