Becoming... President of Production and Development Andrew Calof

Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry

06/14/21 • 49 min

Andrew Calof is the President of Production and Development of Wayfarer Studios, most recently responsible for CLOUDS on Disney+ and led by JANE THE VIRGIN's Justin Baldoni. Prior to joining Wayfarer Studios, Calof served as Vice President of Creative Affairs at Amblin Partners. In his five years with the company he oversaw development and production of tentpole films such as OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY—directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck—starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon, TJ Miller, and Olivia Munn, as well as GHOST IN THE SHELL, directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Scarlett Johansson.

Prior to Amblin, Calof held the position of Vice President of Production at New Regency, where he oversaw the production of Academy Award-winning Best Pictures BIRDMAN, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE REVENANT.

At Paramount, he worked on Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, World War Z, GI Joe: Retaliation, and RANGO. As well as, NOT FADE AWAY and HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Working at Paramount on Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, World War Z, GI Joe: Retaliation, and RANGO

• Discussing the particular brand and perspective of different production companies, comparing a New Regency film to a Paramount film to a Disney film to a Netflix film

• How taking bold, calculated risks was integral in producing Oscar winning films at Regency such as BIRDMAN, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, and THE REVENANT specialty movie that’s very commercial

• Best part about working with Amblin for one of his hero and Mentor, Steven Spielberg making films such as OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY, GHOST IN THE SHELL, and an upcoming Tom Hanks film

• His role at Wayfarer, working with Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin), and having 30 projects on the slate Ethos of Wayfarer how can they make an impact on the world in a positive way, diverse and disruptive

• How he works at maintaining the balance between the creative team and the executives on set

• Being great at dailies and how he was able to get creative in presenting them

• His favorite part about working in development and what that entails

• Starting off as a PA on an Indie film and how he got his next role

• His definition of success

About the Guest:

Wayfarer Studios Website

Host:

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