Meet Manon Harbulot | Producer

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

Hi Manon, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always had a deep passion for cinema. Watching movies and TV shows has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The ability to immerse myself in someone else’s story, to feel their emotions, the dialogues, the music, everything looked so magical… and unreachable.

After high school, I didn’t seriously consider pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, so I ended up attending a business school, which turned out to be quite dull and boring. And one day, almost by chance, I found myself working as a background actor in the heart of Paris, for a film starring Natalie Portman. And it was love at first sight! Not with Natalie Portman, with the set. A period movie in the middle of modern-day Paris. The set, the costumes, and the crew members working together almost in perfectly synchronized choreography. It was beautiful. Three months later, I was quitting business school to learn Film & TV Production.

Once I got my diploma, I wanted to start out in a small production company to get some hands-on experience. So, I turned to YouTube because it’s a very free environment where you can learn a lot through small projects. And joining a one-person team, I had the chance to try my hand at everything, from creation to post-production, including organization, and of course, filming. It was a period that helped me build a lot professionally because I got to do a bit of everything and realized I was capable of it.

But as everyone knows, then Covid came along and filmings were canceled, putting the entertainment world on hold. When life returned to normal, I was ready to get back to work in production and creation in the world of movies, TV, and entertainment in general. And what better place for that than Los Angeles?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Pursuing a career in a new country is never easy. There’s, of course, the language barrier that needs improvement, but it’s also a whole new culture with new norms that we need to learn about. Everything is different, from job offers to resumes, and job interviews; you have to adapt while still holding on to what sets you apart from others. In just two months, I probably applied to more job offers than I would have in a year in France. But that also means a lot of competition. There will be failures, botched interviews, and moments of “I should have said that,” but persistence pays off. After spending time on students’ film sets, I landed a position as a production coordinator in a production company and eventually became a producer.

This year, we had the privilege of organizing the largest collegiate gymnastics competition in the United States, called “Super 16.” It’s a four-competition event where the audience gets to see 16 of the most significant collegiate gymnastics teams during the season’s opening weekend. This inaugural edition in Las Vegas saw the participation of 300 gymnasts, including three Olympians. Having been a gymnast myself for over 12 years, it was a true privilege not only to attend but also to be involved in organizing it. We are already preparing for the second edition in 2024, along with several other gymnastics events. Moreover, we are working on various exciting projects in the entertainment world for 2024 and 2025, but I can’t reveal much about them just yet. And in the future, alongside my work as a producer, I would love to reignite my passion for creating through writing and directing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a big cinema fan, I love exploring all the filming locations, starting with studios like Warner or Universal, especially to experience the Harry Potter world. Not to mention the iconic spots all around the city, like the bench from “500 Days of Summer,” the Nakatomi Plaza from “Die Hard,” Point Dume from “The Big Lebowski,” and, of course, the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, absolutely stunning at sunset. As for museums, I like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and The Broad. Eating at Venice Beach, shopping on Melrose, especially at the Melrose Trading Post every Sunday, and enjoying the nightlife in West Hollywood. Regardless of the time of year, Los Angeles is full of new activities and surprises of all kinds, catering to everyone’s interests.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Naturally, I immediately think of my parents who have always supported me through all my decisions, changes in academic directions, doubts, and my desire to move to the other side of the planet (this one particularly was not easy for them). But I believe it’s also important to learn to thank yourself for the efforts put into personal success. Succeeding in overcoming failures, getting back up, and continuing forward. While the support of loved ones is absolutely necessary to move ahead, believing in yourself is what will ultimately lead you to where you want to be. And I also thank my cat.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manon.hrb/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manon-harbulot-352452180/

Image Credits
Charlotte Drury “Super 16”