Hidden Gems: Meet Deborah Gilels of LA Media Consultants

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Gilels.

Hi Deborah , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well, its a very long and windy road. Years ago, when I was in my early 20’s (!!) I was living in New York, pursuing an acting career – then pivoted to producing Off-Broadway plays, and being far more interested in the written word, than in performing. This led to meeting some people in the film business, moving to LA and then working my way up from a script reader – quite an in-demand job back then, to several creative executive jobs in both the film and television business. This was back in the mid-to-late 1980’s and early 90’s when development deals were aplenty and there were a myriad of ways to set film and television projects up. Lots of studios, international companies and a lot different than today.

In the mid 90’s I decided to strike out on my own as an independent producer, developing a film at Disney, as well as executive producing a documentary about politics and the Olympics for ESPN. While I was proud that I had been able to achieve this on my own, its very hard to sustain oneself as an indie producer, even in the best of circumstances. It takes a long time to put projects together and a lot of luck is involved with all the pieces coming together at one time. I learned a lot about perseverance and patience during this time – but also had some horrible financial setbacks that I had to overcome.

I’m a lifelong practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism and through this have learned to view obstacles not as setbacks, but an opportunity for growth and transformation. We chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, praying for our dreams and that opens the way for wisdom and tenacity, and often find our prayers answered mystically – like being in the right place at the right time. But, in truth, something deep inside of us has made us stronger, wiser, and compassionate to ourselves and others.

Then I was hired by a Japanese media company to be a senior acquisition executive and put together deals with studios and sales companies that were the early days of vertical films and content being downloaded on TV and cell phones. I also produced a talk show for Japan and Korea that featured prominent people in the business sharing stories on their accomplishments. Ironically that job gave me more experience in the aspects of the business that I was weakest in – foreign companies, film festivals, public relations, and the significant Asian marketplace.

From there, I formed by own PR and Media Consulting business, using all my experience to help launch film and TV content in releases in theaters, VOD, festival runs, FYC award campaigns, at film markets, as well as assisted filmmakers and talent in expanding their careers. Serendipity came into play, when substitute teaching for a friend at LA Film School, the head of the LA Femme Int’l Film Festival came to the class, liked my presentation and invited me to moderate a panel at the festival. This led to me joining the Board. I also became a sponsor of the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival, and the publicist for LA Shorts and SeeFest as well as LAFemme. I believe this all came to fruition because of my inner transformation from my Buddhist practice. I’ve since launched films in dozens of festivals, theatrical releases, special releases, and events.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I mentioned earlier, there were (and are) lots of struggles. Financial, securing literary properties, being edged out because of similar projects,. There are things one can’t help such as the pandemic, strikes and changes in the entertainment industry beyond my sphere of influence.

One of my PR niches is Japanese anime, and a few years ago I launched a new anime series that was based on an iconic 50-year old manga with great success. I was able, with a producer friend, obtain the rights to make a live action version and we were off to the races, meeting with showrunners, then Covid hit. Somehow, we teamed up with a terrific showrunner – but it still took a few years to set it up and just when we thought we were on our way the SAG and WGA strikes went on such a long time, that out project was dropped. This is after 6 years of hard work. The silver lining i that we are still alive with some interest and Japanese content is very desirable.
Again, one has to stay determined even in the worst of times.

As you know, we’re big fans of LA Media Consultants. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am an award-winning publicist and have run a successful media consulting company for the past 20 years, helping writers and filmmakers reach their goals in the areas of public relations, marketing and project development.

I have successfully run PR campaigns for independent films and shorts, as well as project and strategic development for production companies, writers and directors. Recent projects include the anime series and films including All There Is, starring Jason Priestley, Jane Spencer’s South of Hope Street, Miyazaki’s Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro, Liz and the Blue Bird (Satellite Award nominee), Penguin Highway, Megalobox, Not Another Church Movie starring Jamie Foxx, Vivica A Fox, and Mickey Rourke, documentaries The Window on Death Row, The New Abolitionists, The War on Kids, Blind Logic: The Ralph R. Teetor Story, the Gilligan Manifesto, Werewolves starring Frank Grillo and James Michael Cummings and the WWII drama Vindicta.

Other launched projects include the award winning documentary Keiko the Untold Story, Lion’s Gate release of Chazz Palminteri- Andie MacDowell family drama Mighty Fine. The World Without You (Radha Mitchell and James Tupper), Alex/October, Three Headed Beast, and TV Series Paul T Goldman.

I’m also very involved in many film festivals, specializing in Indie films, docs, shorts and animation. I feature a panel about launching careers with short content that is widely attended.

I would say my diverse experience enables me to assist my clients as I add more dimension to their launch – creating a more meaningful experience leading to greater opportunities.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’ve used media services such as Muck Rack and Critical Mention that really enables coverage in many locations and the most recent platforms where news is covered. Quoted also does this and is not as costly.

For my life, I love the SGI’s Buddhability podcast as it helps enlighten the audience with true stories of achievement and personal victory through Buddhist practice. BTW, SGI stands for Soka Gakkai International – its a World Peace organization. If you ask me, we need more of that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lamediaconsultants.com
• Instagram: @deborahgilels
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.gilels
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgilels/

Image Credits
Ido Samuel