As a fan, I am absolutely captivated by the extraordinary journey of Gabriela Rodríguez, a powerhouse producer who has risen from being Alfonso Cuarón’s personal assistant to an Oscar-nominated producer and the head of Esperanto Filmoj. Her determination, resilience, and dedication to her craft are nothing short of inspiring.
Gabriela Rodríguez, who started as Alfonso Cuarón’s personal assistant on the film “Children of Men,” has since risen to become an Oscar-nominated producer for “Roma” – a historic achievement as the first Latin American woman ever nominated in the best picture category at the Academy Awards. Born in Venezuela and based in London, Rodríguez began her career by interning at Cuarón’s production company Esperanto Filmoj, eventually taking over its management.
Lately, Rodriguez has been responsible for producing the premium series “Disclaimer” on AppleTV+, which features Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville, and Sacha Baron Cohen. She skillfully translated Alfonso Cuarón’s meticulous attention to detail — a trait Rodriguez recalls involving the hunt for sixteen different dog droppings during “Roma” production —to the small screen. Named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s 2024 Most Powerful Women in International TV, Rodriguez took a moment to discuss her rise to success and offer guidance to aspiring young women in the industry.
What was your first job in the business?
During a college summer break, I landed my first job within the industry at a Venezuelan ad agency that specialized in creating commercials. Over five unique projects, I gained my initial set experience. Upon graduation, I began as an intern with Esperanto Filmoj and have been part of the team for 20 years now. My journey with them started as an intern, progressed to being Alfonso Cuarón’s assistant, and eventually led me to managing the company and co-producing projects alongside Alfonso!
What was the biggest professional challenge you faced this past year?
Without a doubt, coordinating numerous projects all at once was my biggest hurdle. While we were completing post-production for “Disclaimer“, I was simultaneously shooting a Christmas short film with Disney titled “An Almost Christmas Story“, and concurrently organizing pre-production for “Campeón Gabacho“, which is currently being filmed in Mexico. Managing three productions, each at different stages and spread across diverse locations and time zones, has proven to be a massive logistical feat.
What do you see as your biggest achievement of the past year?
Finishing the “Disclaimer” was a significant milestone for me, marking my initial venture into a multi-chapter storytelling style. After almost four years of tireless effort, I’m immensely satisfied with the end product.
What needs to be done to improve equality and diversity within the industry?
Let’s carry on with our current efforts and maintain the progress we’ve made so far! It’s essential that we delve into films from diverse languages, innovate with various formats, and challenge traditional notions of our work. Promoting international cinema and nurturing talent across all stages – from conception to production to dissemination – is vital. Notably, this embrace should extend beyond high-profile actors to encompass every creator out there.
Could you tell me about the most significant hurdle faced by women while working in an industry that is still predominantly male?
I’m deeply grateful as I’ve been consistently motivated and granted chances to venture beyond my immediate surroundings and tackle challenges. I’ve experienced both triumphs and setbacks, but either way, I feel blessed. My aspiration is for more businesses and teams to adopt recruitment methods focused on talent instead of gender, fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes unique individuals regardless of their appearance, the language they use, or their background. In my opinion, diversity typically leads to outstanding results.
What current industry trend do you hope to soon see the back of?
Let’s strive to speak our minds more fearlessly, encouraging conversations that foster openness and progress instead of shying away from potential disagreements or misunderstandings.
What advice would you give young women just entering the industry?
My main recommendation for those starting out in any field, including young women, is straightforward: don’t shy away from taking risks, and above all else, be meticulous in everything you do. The key to success lies in this diligence. When you commit wholeheartedly to your chosen pursuit or area of interest, two things ensue:
What show, currently on air, would you love to have made?
Among the four series – “The Bear”, “Hacks”, “Shogun” and “Slow Horses” – it’s challenging to choose just one as each offers a distinctive mix of narrative style, character growth, and ambiance that strikes a balance between realism and novelty.
What do you watch for pleasure?
Everything I choose to watch is purely for my own amusement! While there might be instances where I don’t find what I’m watching particularly enjoyable, I never perceive it as something akin to schoolwork or an assignment.
What do you do to unwind?
Playing canasta with my friends. This is truly my happy place!
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2024-10-23 11:24