Legendary Hollywood Producer Donna Smith

Just Fake It: Coming to LA

Hey everyone! Nora and Maryna here, and we have a very special guest today—Donna Smith! We're thrilled to have her with us. Donna is a trailblazer in the film industry and has an impressive resume as the first female president of physical and post-production at Universal Studios.

We kick off the episode by delving into Donna's remarkable career. She has produced over 157 movies, including a dozen Oscar winners. Her journey is nothing short of inspiring, and we can't wait to share it with you.

Donna's story begins in Minneapolis. In 1979, tired of the cold and snow, she and her husband decided to move to Los Angeles. They had no connections, no jobs lined up—just the drive to escape the Midwest weather. They both came from the Guthrie Theater, where Donna's husband was a Shakespearean director.

Donna's first job in LA was as an assistant filing clerk. She hilariously recalls thinking she was working for a tire company until she realized it was actually a film production company. This unexpected start led to her role as a production coordinator on Rocky II and later, the production manager for Raging Bull, which earned seven Oscars.

Donna's career skyrocketed from there. She shared stories of working on iconic films like Terminator, The Matrix, and Waterworld. Her experiences highlight the challenges and excitement of film production, from managing massive crews to handling unexpected setbacks.

One particularly funny story was how Donna met Nora. It was a classic LA moment—they met at a secret bar, struck up a conversation, and the rest is history. Donna's openness to new connections and her willingness to mentor up-and-coming filmmakers like us is truly inspiring.

We also discussed Donna's philanthropic efforts, including her role as the United States Film Ambassador to China and her work with the World Hero Foundation, which builds homes for veterans. Despite her busy career, Donna finds time to give back and support the next generation of filmmakers.

Donna's advice for those trying to make it in Hollywood? Perseverance. She emphasizes the importance of being persistent and believing in yourself, even when faced with rejection. Her own company's name, Persnickety Productions, reflects her meticulous and determined nature.

In this episode, you'll hear about:
- Donna's early days in Minneapolis and her move to LA
- Her unexpected entry into the film industry
- Working on legendary films like Rocky II, Raging Bull, Terminator, and The Matrix
- The challenges of managing big productions like Waterworld
- Her philanthropic work and mentoring young filmmakers
- Valuable advice on perseverance and making it in Hollywood

Donna's stories are not just entertaining but also incredibly motivating for anyone aspiring to succeed in the film industry. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!