Meet Capella Fahoome | Producer / Executive Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Capella Fahoome and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Capella, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I have always considered myself an outsider. I am from the eastside of Detroit. I spent much of my career making films outside of Hollywood. I am currently writing a book called, The Outsiders Guide to Filmmaking…and Life in General. For far too long, this industry has been managed and controlled by the very few “insiders.” But attitudes are shifting. The “Hollywood” we are experiencing today is different from the one we experienced twenty years ago. We still have so much work to do, but we are pushing hard towards inclusion, respectful engagement, fairness, and wellness. This is not only a necessary evolution, it is a profitable one. Research supports these environments to enhance creativity and performance, resulting in better individual experiences and projects overall.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The beliefs and values I had when I started in this industry are my same priorities today. Twenty years ago, I was a producer that knew nothing. I relied on my relationships with other professionals in this industry to teach and guide me to successful productions. Today I still lead with the same values of genuine care, respect, gratitude, curiosity, and emotion regulation.

Much of the film industry is transient, made up of individuals called to work on pop-up organizations or “crews” that come together for a 1-day shoot or a 30-day shoot, ideally working as a harmonic collective. Producers have an extraordinary amount of influence over that experience. We have the power to create these temporary organizations in ways that lift and inspire others, instead of devalue or deplete them. Producers can nurture film sets in a way that encourages trust and enhances relationships – optimizing not only individual well-being, but the overall success of the final film.

I have worked on projects with challenging clients, showrunners, or directors and I have been successful lowering the temperature, so everyone feels heard and valued, allowing effective collaboration to happen. I have also been called onto sets when relationships begin to deteriorate and risk the project overall. This industry can be a positive-sum game, unlike the zero-sum game we’ve been taught accept. I enjoy the opportunities to quietly coach leaders towards solutions that allow everyone to thrive. My years as a producer, coupled with my education in psychology and organizational dynamics with a focus on coaching and leadership, puts me in a fun little niche to serve as a production whisperer.

I believe we work in the greatest industry in the world! By creating a culture that prioritizes well-being, we can inspire creativity and optimize performance for everyone, from the execs to the extras.

I was at a bar last night and had a conversation with an experienced producer I just met. I spoke about my practice of respect and trust, she responded by saying, “That is really innovative.” I wouldn’t call kindness and collaboration innovative, maybe sometimes we just need to be reminded of the impact.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sunday Funday! We would start at 10am, anywhere for brunch and football. That might be the best part of being in LA – football starts at 10am! Then we would go to Mama’s Shelter for the Utopia rooftop party. Then we would hit Chocolate Sundaes at the Laugh Factory. We would finish the night dancing to Sunday night old school at The Dime, with one of the best DJ’s I have experienced in LA so far.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe any success to my family. My mom, Gail, was unbelievably brilliant and quick-witted! My dad, Richard, is a diligent learner, relentless activist for social justice, and my unconditional supporter! My two brothers, Dale and Walter are hard working and keep me laughing! I also want to shoutout my friend and production partner, Director Kelley Kali. She is amazingly talented and we have so much fun together working and anything else we get into! Sabrina Bloue, my girl for 20 years, I am so lucky to have her here— she takes me everywhere. Ahku Gardner, who always knows exactly what I need to hear. Lastly, my UPenn and MAPP family!!! Honestly, I can not say enough about having people you trust surrounding you, it is essential to success.

Website: www.CapellaFahoome.com

Instagram: CapellaF

Facebook: Capella Fahoome

Image Credits
The photos with the plaid shirt and the ones with the flowered pants were taken in Havana, Cuba. All photos (except the (2) with the directors chairs at the stadium) were taken by Roy Heisler. The 2 taken at the stadium were taken by Jodi Prince. My dogs name is Big Bear.