Sharpening Your Aim with Christine Vachon
Reminder: You Are Not Behind
“I don't know if producing can be taught, but it can be learned.” -Christine Vachon
Happy Friday from Dallas, Texas!
I hope July is treating you right. It’s been quite a standout week over here. I can't say much yet, but keep your eyes and ear drums peeled for a special episode soon. It’s a deep dive into a game-changing deal happening right now in our industry—one that signals real conviction about Hollywood's future when so many are flocking to the exit. There are people I respect making bold moves and betting big on what's next.
Their infectious optimism is the kind of morale booster we all need right now. Excited for some much needed R&R while marinating on the good vibes.
Gotta celebrate all the wins!
Emmy Nominations
Speaking of winning, it's always a delight to see friends and colleagues celebrated for their work. The Emmy nominations were announced this past Tuesday. Full list here. HBO's return to the top with 142 nominations versus Netflix's 120 marks a significant moment.
Yet despite these historic numbers, this year represents a downturn for diversity. Of the 94 actors recognized in main acting categories, only 24 are people of color—the lowest representation since 2020. Several prominent AAPI performers were snubbed, including previous Emmy winner Lee Jung-jae ("Squid Game"), Dichen Lachman ("Severance"), Chase Sui Wonders ("The Studio"), and Tayme Thapthimthong ("The White Lotus").
Diego Luna's exclusion from "Andor" was particularly disappointing. I loved the show and have a huge lady crush on EP Sanne Wohlenberg. Had he been nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series, he would have made history alongside Pedro Pascal as the first time two Latino actors competed in the category.
For Everyone Feeling Behind
If comparison often robs your joy, I'm here to remind you that it's a fool's errand. It's easy to feel like everyone else is moving faster, achieving more, doing more, more, more. The Emmy nominations probably don’t help with that feeling.
Our industry has a way of making everyone feel like they're running late to a party that started without them. And yes, there often are parties that many of us aren't invited to. But your career isn't built in those rooms—it's built in the work, the relationships, and the projects that matter to you.
I was talking to a producer friend last week who was beating herself up because she's 35 and "only" just got her first feature going. Only? She spent a decade honing her craft, building relationships, learning the business inside and out. That matters. That film didn't happen despite her age – it happened because of everything she learned getting there.
Your timeline is not everyone else's timeline. I know this is easier said than done—trust me, I've been there. Your career is not everyone else's career. Your time might not come until you're 40, or 50, or 60. And that's okay.
Every no makes you stronger, sharper, wiser—it builds toward something. The skills you're developing now, the relationships you're nurturing, the stories you're passionate about – they're all part of a bigger picture you can't see yet.
Great careers are built over decades, not award seasons.
Next Time
The summer camp series continues next week with Tony award winning Broadway producer Barbara Whitman. Hope to see you at coffee next Sunday the 27th? More details belooooww.
Keep doing the work, keep showing up (on time!) And as always, thanks for doing this life thing with me!
🎞️ YouTube / 🎧 Spotify / 🍏 Apple Podcasts
Summer Camp Series - Episode 3 - Sharpening Your Aim with Christine Vachon
“Honestly, the best piece of advice is to work hard and be on time. [That] cannot be overestimated. If you can do that, then everything else will fall into place.” -Christine Vachon
This summer we are revisiting eight past episodes exclusively on our YouTube channel that helps us answer: What makes an exceptional producer?
In case you missed it:
Episode 1 - Finding Your Inner Compass with Erin O’Malley, Director and Executive Producer (Curb Your Enthusiasm and New Girl)
Episode 2 - Pitching Your Career Tent with Merri Howard, Shondaland’s UPM/EP.
In episode 3, we’re throwing it back to 2021 with the one and only Christine Vachon, producer and co-founder of Killer Films. Christine stopped by AOP when Zola was released. I did my best to cover the 30 years and 100 films that make up her career during our time together. I was somewhat successful.
From her breakthrough with Todd Haynes' Poison at Sundance in 1991 to navigating production during a global pandemic, our conversation reveals the power of resilience, adaptability, and the art of the possible. Her approach isn't just about making movies—it's about building a sustainable creative ecosystem that can weather any storm.
Listening back, it was nice to hear that after all this time, she still loves producing.
Christine's story is a reminder that there's no universal timeline for success. Her first Sundance win came early, but her Tony Award-winning contemporary Barbara Whitman didn't produce her first Broadway show until 42.
Anyway, come for the conversation, stay for the airport lounge wine reviews. 🍷✈️
Three Gold Nuggets:
1. Embrace the New
When The Blair Witch Project revolutionized digital filmmaking, while other producers dismissed it as "not real film," she saw opportunity. Her advice: "You gotta embrace the new."
2. Build for the Long Game
Careers aren't built on single wins but on sustained relationships and consistent output. Her partnership with Pamela Koffler and decades-long collaboration with Haynes prove that loyalty and trust compound over time. "You develop a very thick skin," she says about projects that get taken away. "We're very prolific. I think producers sort of have to be." The answer to rejection to keep creating.
3. Know What You Don’t Know
"Most successful first-time directors are successful because they know what they don't know and surround themselves with people who do know," she explains. In an industry built on perception and bravado, the willingness to say "I don't know" is actually a superpower.
Inviting you to connect, collaborate, and caffeinate with me and fellow producers, writers, directors, actors, and creatives.
There will be 3 coffee meetups for paid Patreon and Substack peeps at some of my favorite LA spots. The first one is July 27th!
The real magic happens when you connect with the other incredible people in our community. I've watched friendships form and collaborations bloom from these gatherings. Hope to see you there!
READ | Producing Microdramas / Vertical Videos - These are generating $1 billion in annual revenue. Link
LEARN | BACK TO SET: Working Director’s Intensive - Hosted by Alliance of Women Directors, this two-day, in-person symposium is open to all and designed to equip working directors with the tools, insights, and community support to level up. Registration is now open. September in Downtown LA! Link
GROW | 2 Ways To Stop Feeling ‘Behind’ In Life' - Research reveals why this mindset is hurting you. Link
WATCH | Birthrite by Ross Partridge - Support Indie Films!
When a pregnant woman is bequeathed a home from an estranged aunt, she and her girlfriend leave the city behind to begin new chapter. But when a karmic debt threatens the life of their unborn child, they soon discover their place in the cursed history of the town. Watch in August 8th in theaters! Link