Meet Cindy Dorfmann | Film/TV Producer, Writer, Podcast Host and Owner of Strong Island Films

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

Hi Cindy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have spent my life and career taking risks that luckily have paid off! In my business (the entertainment business) it’s all about risk because every time you put yourself out there whether it’s a script, a film, a podcast, a new show, you are taking a risk. However, I think that risks are important because they push you to go further, work harder, stay focused on the goal. If I hadn’t taken risks in not only my business but my personal life I would have missed out on so many amazing experiences. When I moved to Europe in 2006, I had no idea what lied ahead I just trusted my gut that it would work out and it did. Same with starting our company, when I moved back to Los Angeles and my husband and I started Strong Island Films we just pushed through all the adversity and made the films that we wanted to make and it paid off. I would highly suggest for people to take risks because you have so much more in you than you think and when you jump into the fire you have to step it up and show the world what you are made of. Risks are always scary because you do not know what the outcome is going to be but either way I’d rather try to accomplish my goal than spend my time thinking about it and regretting not doing it and if you fail or get rejected so what? Without those experiences there is no growth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I’m a filmmaker, television producer, writer and podcast host. My husband and I own Strong Island Films, a production company and we host the Partners in True Crime Podcast. Our podcast is really making some headway in the true crime space which is very exciting. We are also excited about the projects that we have in our pipeline right now. I’m very proud of our film Making an Exoneree that won 10 international best documentary awards, it was a labor of love and we were able to help three people get out of prison for wrongful convictions. I’m really passionate about our new podcast Serial Killer Whisperer we are working with Laura Brand a forensic criminologist who interviews serial killers on death row about cold cases to extract information to find missing victims. Being an advocate for Missing Victims is something we take very seriously and we hope to inspire some change in the laws. We have two new podcast shows launching and I’m very excited about them because one of them could turn the true crime world upside down.

Being in the field is my favorite part of what we do, I love directing and watching the magic unfold. My path in this industry is curvy it was not a straight line of do A, B C and get to D. I don’t think this industry works like that. I spent a decade in Los Angeles after graduate school working in a variety of roles; I was a story editor/writer in film/television scripted series development, an assistant to a celebrity and then I started producing a weekly television documentary-series which led to more jobs producing.

In 2006, I moved to Europe for seven years where I worked as a broadcast journalist for an international news organization, produced my own documentaries for National Geographic Channel, and UK broadcasters. My husband and I launched Strong Island Films in 2014 after I returned to Los Angeles and we have been producing documentary films and television shows together ever since. In 2022, we launched our podcast Partners in True Crime and that has grown rapidly! Don’t get me wrong, the life of independent filmmakers, television producers is not an easy one but we press on because this is what we love to do and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. We have endured rejection, betrayal, frustration, financial hardship, but we have also received awards, accolades, financial gain, praise, trust, partnerships based on trust. My point is that no matter what you do for work, no matter what career you choose there will always be the positive and the negative and it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Everyone always says perseverance is the key- but it’s hard to persevere when you are on the receiving end of negativity that is why it’s so important to know yourself. What are you willing to endure to get to your goal? No one is going to hand anything to you so you better buckle up. That was a hard lesson for me to learn especially after graduating graduate school with a bunch of accolades for my short film that I directed…I thought I would just parachute into Hollywood and get a job directing ! Well, that didn’t happen but I did work hard and pushed through the obstacles to obtain my goal and believe me there have been many!

What I have learned is that the obstacle is the way. My first producing job was on a show called Backstory for AMC – retelling all the stories of Academy Award winning films that almost didn’t get made I do feel that the universe was sending me a message back then: Don’t give up, persevere, do not let the negative people into your head and certainly don’t let them take you down. I have learned that if you stick to your craft and you keep building on it and you keep perfecting it you will get to where you want to go independent of all the doubt, negative thoughts and resistance from others. The only way to carve your path is to focus on the art and nothing else, express yourself, don’t be afraid, embrace your passion and your vision and don’t let others destroy your dream. My advice is to know your strengths and your weaknesses and then work to make them even better because everyone has room to improve. Never stop working on your craft because if you are a born storyteller you won’t be able to let it go and “do something else” because it is in your blood to do this no matter of the adversity. Overcoming challenges is like anything else in life, build your support group, build your self-esteem, build your resilience and stay focused on your vision- this is the only way to get through the challenges.

Our brand is always looking for projects that are going to emotionally connect with the audience, we want you to come on a journey with us when you listen to our podcast or watch one of our films or shows, we want you to have an experience. Our brand is rapidly growing and always looking for people who are excited about ideas, projects, scripts, new cameras- whatever your jam is we pride ourselves on cultivating creativity to get these stories out to the world- because there are so many stories that need to be told. You can check us out at www.partnersintruecrime.com or www.strongislandfilms.com.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Every time my friends and family come to visit Los Angeles I make them an itinerary because there is so much awesome stuff to do in this city!! First off, I start downtown in the Arts District. Then to the Soho House for lunch (this house has an awesome view of the city and a pool!). Downtown Los Angeles has some really great art exhibits, restaurants and a great creative vibe, then we will go down Hollywood Blvd and check out the Hollywood sign, take a drive around Hollywood Lake, check out the walk of fame and then move on to Sunset Blvd to the famed Comedy Store (where my dad’s name is scrawled on the front along with hundreds of other comics) maybe check out a show or an open mic night. Then we’ll dip into the Fiagro Bistro on Vermont for some coffee and pastries, head over to LarchMont to check out the shops, pop into West Hollywood for some drinks, head to the beach to see the beautiful sunset; then finish up the day in the Santa Clarita Valley where I am based and stop at McGinnis an awesome Irish Pub for dinner and live music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that have guided me along the way! The biggest shoutout has to be to my husband Rob, he is a show runner, he’s also an amazing director and producer, he has been my mentor and guiding light over the years. Rob’s love and support for all my projects since I met him has always inspired me to keep going despite the adversity that I faced. When I moved to the UK, I joined Women in Film UK and this was an amazing group of women who supported each other and they encouraged me to sell my own documentary films and I don’t think I would have been as successful without their support so a big shout out to them! My sister Amanda, my parents and my friends also deserve a shoutout because they have always supported my career, they read my scripts, watch my films, go to my premieres and cheer me on. It does take a village to get to where you want to go and I couldn’t have done anything without the support of amazing people in my life. I also want to acknowledge that there have been several network executives who have supported me and also have pushed me to be my best, and  I appreciate them as well.

Website: www.strongislandfilms.com, www.partnersintruecrime.com

Instagram: @partnersintruecrimepodcast

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-dorfmann-61201b1/

Twitter: Partners in True Crime @pitcpodcast

Facebook: Partners in True Crime A True Crime Podcast

Youtube: Partners in True Crime @partnerinstruecrimepodcast

Other: TIK TOK: partnersintruecrime

Image Credits
Rob Dorfmann