Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Bersani.
Julie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I enrolled in NYU as a drama major, determined to be a Broadway star. After my freshman year, I had a run in with a golf cart while working at a country club that nearly took my foot. After that, I had to reconsider what my future in the entertainment industry would look like. I decided to shift my focus away from musical theatre and towards film. In doing so, I discovered that I was really excited about taking on more responsibility in that process and supporting filmmakers that were inspired to share their creativity with the world. Producing, for me, was something that came out of an excitement to play and collaborate, and to do so on my own terms.
After moving to LA, it took me some time to discover my tribe, my voice, and the stories and communities that I wanted to support. I suppose I got to where I am today by getting involved. By saying yes to new opportunities and new people. By writing and trying and failing. By making good films and bad films. By putting myself out there, asking for help, offering support, and nurturing the creativity of others. For my first few years in LA, I believed that I would have to create my success on my own. It wasn’t until I began to really invest in my community that I began to see my career unfold. I am where I am because I embraced the participation of others.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My career trajectory was born out of a pretty difficult experience. I’ve faced challenges along the way, both personally and professionally, but have found a way to turn each challenge into an opportunity. One of my favorite things about producing is that it is a very solution oriented position. We don’t have time to live in the problem, so we are constantly looking for the opportunity hidden there. At the end of the day, no matter the challenge, I try to remain grateful that I get to spend my life dreaming, playing, and working with some of the most imaginative and gifted people that I have ever met.
Please tell us about Black Poppy Productions and any other organizations that have contributed to your success.
Black Poppy Productions is a full-service production company that specializes in guiding a project from concept to completion. We have done shorts, features, music videos, commercials, and digital series. I am very excited about supporting thoughtful storytellers who bring their uniqueness into their work. I like stories that are unexpected, strange, darkly funny, magical, and surreal. Black Poppy is best known for maximizing any budget size to make sure that your story reaches its fullest potential.
I’m also the Co-Artistic Director of Ammunition Theatre Company (AMMO), which I think is largely responsible for my success. When I became a founding member of AMMO 5 years ago, I felt like I finally had a home to cultivate my creativity and provide support to artists with incredible talent and intelligence whose voices would become essential in shaping the evolving identity of LA theatre. I love my theatre family and with the safety and support of that community, I was really able to hit my stride and accelerate my career. Community is everything. Find it, build it, nurture it.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My childhood was very happy. Looking back on it, I remember the feeling of limitless possibility. I never doubted myself, my ideas, or my plans. There was a tenacity that came with that. I try to retain that sense of limitlessness and work with the same tenacity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackpoppyproduction.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jbersani
Image Credit:
Eugene Lee, Theresa Hoey, Alisa Banks, Blake Lewis
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