Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Frasco.
Hi Olivia , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Olivia Frasco, an Independent producer based in Atlanta!
My love of reading and writing poetry fueled my passion for cinema. Reading poetry feels like solving a puzzle, like peeling back layers of meaning, metaphors, and feeling. I felt a drive to find that same thrill visually. All art is interpretative, but cinema is motivated by community, and that’s why I fell in love with it. When I found out what the job of screenwriters was and what they specialized in, it was a game-changer. I will always be thankful to the amazing teachers who embraced my curiosity, for writing and creating that pushed me to find colleges that specialized in filmmaking.
It wasn’t until college that I found a love for producing. From receiving the script, breaking it down, analyzing, and putting the puzzle pieces together to help writers and directors bring their vision to life. This, of course, is only the tip of the massive iceberg that producing really is. It’s more like a ton of logistics, financing, budgeting, contract reading, negotiations, and making sure you have a strong and prepared team. It’s not always as glamorous as it seems, but it’s so rewarding to make impactful stories with a driven team.
Today, I am working under my own production company, Alma Roja Productions a Mexican- American production company, specializing in character-driven narratives with focused budgets. My work in progress now is “Open Up” A romance drama, Written by Blacklist Award Winner Parker Sack, Starring Jessi Case (Murdaugh: Death in the Family, Dream Sequence), Parker Sack (Unstoppable, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist), and Directed by acclaimed actor James Tupper. (Big Little Lies, Men in Trees). We are in prep to film on February 16th.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
From working two jobs in high school to spending my last hundred dollars to get myself to college. Putting in my all to my college classes, working on countless student sets for community, practice, for the love of it, and then clocking back into my bartending job at night.
The truth of the matter is that I’m still hungry for my dreams; it feels deeper than myself. I want it for everyone around me, and for everyone who has truly seen me, for all their endless support.
Nothing will feel more unjust, hopeless, and heartbreaking than having a loved one ripped from you. My father’s deportation is a deep motivation to keep working hard, to keep Latino stories and voices alive and heard. To hope and build a community that creates change through persistence and story.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a filmmaker through and through. I love the entire process of film production, so that’s why I specialize in producing. I feel I’m best and most known for line producing, from receiving the script to developing a budget, assembling a team, with a strong cast, and making sure they have all the resources to be successful.
I feel I am always most proud of the team I meet as I produce. It’s incredible to create in a group, to feel that there is so much at stake, to laugh, make mistakes, and learn even more together. Then to work hard to build an audience to watch what we have created together.
Today I am so proud of the upcoming feature film i’m producing, “Open Up” starring Parker Sack, Jessi Case, and directed by James Tupper. I’m proud to have the opportunity to be a part of cultivating a story written by Parker Sack that resonates with so many.
I’m proud of the short films I have wrapped as well! “Turn Off” Directed by Brent Ogburn, a story about addiction and recovery, and “1925” Directed By Ana Curi, a 1920’s period piece about truly living in the present.
I feel what sets me apart from others is not having an off switch; if I had more time to produce, I would.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice to finding a mentor is to look for someone whose work you respect. Someone with good morals, and someone who is determined to push boundaries and follow their footsteps. Find someone who has the wisdom to know that there is a difference between people who live in finding opportunity, to those who create it.
Networking will always be tough until you think about it as an opportunity to make friends or learn something new about someone. Take a deep breath. People are nervous talking to you, too. Always choose kindness.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviarfrasco/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-frasco/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15340049/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_olivia%2520frasco
