Monica Levinson (Film/TV Producer) Discusses her Career, Test Screenings, and More!

Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Research Expert Kevin Goetz

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Kevin is joined by veteran producer Monica Levinson to discuss producing award-winning blockbusters and giving back.
Monica Levinson, Producer
Monica Levinson is a renowned film and television producer known for her exceptional range and versatility in the industry. From the critically-acclaimed drama Trial of the Chicago 7 to the blockbuster comedy Borat, Levinson's productions have received both popular and critical acclaim. She is a highly respected member of the film community, as a member of the Producers Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Producers Guild of America, and the Directors Guild of America. Additionally, Levinson is a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the film industry and has established a training program for underrepresented groups on the films she produces, and regularly mentors young and emerging filmmakers.
Working with legendary producers (5:14)
Monica talks about her early years in the film industry, where she got her start working with legendary filmmakers like Alan Pakula, Sidney Lumet, and Michael Mann. She cites her work with Alan Pakula as a defining moment in her career, as it was then that she fell in love with the entire process of film production, from pre-production to post-production.
Early work on Zoolander with Ben Stiller (7:13)
Monica recounts her experiences working on the set of Zoolander and the challenges of producing the film within budget constraints. She credits her work on Zoolander with Ben Stiller as a major stepping stone in her career and believes it led to her being recommended to Sacha Baron Cohen and eventually producing the successful film Borat.
A raucous test screening of Borat (12:24)
Kevin and Monica talk about an early test screening of Borat and the audience reaction to “that scene.”
Working with Sacha Baron Cohen and spending the night in jail (14:25)
Levinson shares what it was like working with Sacha Baron Cohen, and giving him the freedom to let the creative process flow on Borat. She recounts the story of being arrested while filming Borat.
Turning Thanksgiving Dinner into a documentary (24:41)
Kevin asks Monica to talk about her recent documentary, The Stories of Us, an intimate portrayal of her family, her Jewish roots, and her upbringing.
Test screening her new project with Bill Burr (31:57)
Kevin asks Monica to share a time that an audience test screening led to a significant change in one of her films. Monica talks about her new project with Bill Burr, Old Dads, and how the audience response led to a reshoot.
Giving back (40:13)
Kevin and Monica delve into the topic of diversity and inclusivity in the industry, with a focus on Monica's efforts to advocate for and mentor underrepresented groups. Monica shares her advice for young and emerging filmmakers and highlights some of the projects she is currently working on that aim to empower and promote women within the industry.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Monica Levinson
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Monica Levinson:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monlevla/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/monlev
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
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