Meet Joey Borgogna of Novel Eye Productions in San Juan Capistrano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Borgogna.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a San Diego suburb as a curious kid with an old soul. In high school, I played sports and liked the platform that being student body vice president provided, but it was ultimately the theatre and its community of creative beatniks where I felt most at home and fully alive.

I moved to LA to pursue a career in acting and during my senior year at USC, Kathy Eldon and Amy Eldon Turteltaub invited me in as one of their early interns at Creative Visions, a foundation dedicated to using media and the arts for social change. I showed up at the “office” (a back bedroom in a West Hollywood apartment), almost daily, during my lunch break from my day job as an apprentice in the commercial department at Light/Wilhelmina Talent Agency.

While there, I found myself in creative meetings and around the lunch table with which felt like anyone and everyone at the time in LA who was creating media for social change: filmmakers, photographers, grassroots activists and excitable travelers from around the world, alongside entertainment industry moguls, CEOs and global ambassadors – many of whom had been inspired by the creative life of Dan, Kathy’s son and Amy’s older brother, an adventurous photojournalist who had been tragically killed while on assignment in Somalia just shy of his 23rd birthday in 1993.

The unlikely synergy between folks, who at first glance didn’t seem to have much in common but were united by their deep connection to the story of Dan, created solace, illogical joy, and a deep sense of belonging in each other’s company. There was no secret handshake at the door and all were welcome no matter their socio-economic, social, political, racial, or religious backgrounds. It was electric. I loved it and my curiosity was on fire about how the story of one guy could simultaneously affect the lives of so many different types of ordinary and influential people.

When the need arose to have an official staff member come on board, I leapt at the opportunity. The organization had no money to pay me so we bartered. I moved into the back bedroom office and worked off the rent.

Over the next decade, I landed a few commercials that helped pay off my college debt and built a modest resume with some meaningful theater and film projects, but my acting career never really took off. Meanwhile, my work at Creative Visions expanded as the organization did and over the course of about 15 years, I had overseen the vetting, development, management and outreach campaigns of over 200 social impact media projects + productions on five continents and produced everything from traveling multimedia exhibitions and films screenings to programs, workshops, galas, networking parties and group summits.

After that, I started my journey as a consultant and have had the honor of advising, producing, and wearing various creative/strategic hats alongside multiple teams and organizations throughout the last decade.

When COVID 19 entered our world and everything shifted to virtual connections, I started Novel Eye Productions as a platform to help organizations engage with their communities and re-imagine how they harness the power of stories to create soulful events + experiences that amplify intention + impact in new settings.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has felt more like bumpy a dirt road, with lots of turns and potholes and spin-outs and roundabouts.

Early on, I really struggled with the choice to be a creative entrepreneur. Neither of my parents went to college and it took almost everything they had financially to help get me through four years of college at USC. Even though it felt like I was following my passions, it didn’t always feel responsible to choose an unpredictable career path without built-in medical insurance and 401K – especially as I thought about having a family of my own one day.

I also really struggled with the tension of pursuing a focused career in acting. It’s what I had originally come to LA to do and yet I wasn’t prioritizing creating a reel, attending all the workshops, the showcases, and knocking down agents’ doors to market myself in the biz. As a community leader, I was repeatedly in rooms, at events, and around tables encouraging others to go after their dreams and “reach their full potential” while often feeling self-conscious about my own purpose and confidence to go “all in” as an actor.

For one of my random side jobs early on, I had the honor of working as a personal assistant for DJ AM during the height of his career. Before his passing, he would often remind me of a saying that he lived by every day, “feed the soul, starve the ego”. Whenever I have doubted myself and my decisions, that quote from him grounds me.

Ultimately for me, when I leaned into my role as an advisor and producer, I started being able to make more of the impact that I was really after in life – bringing the sense of community and catharsis into unlikely contexts in order to help people and companies I believe in thrive.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Novel Eye Productions – what should we know?
I am an independent producer and advisor at the intersection of art, philanthropy, culture, and community.

I work with individuals and organizations across all sectors to turn ordinary programs and events into meaningful and memorable human experiences that accentuate any relationship, community, career, or action. My work is deeply informed and inspired by a slew of humanitarian and cultural expeditions spanning 21 countries on five continents.

I am most proud that my work supports artists and provides unique platforms for them to share their innate skills and work during a time when it’s very challenging to make a living as an artist.

I’m also quick to assemble efficient teams and collaborate with leaders, designers and artists who are not only brilliant at what they do but also have poignant perspectives and interpretations on various social issues such as: the environment, indigenous traditions, racial inequality, mental illness, people with disabilities, education, loneliness, parenting, incarcerated youth, foster care, interfaith relations, gender equity and more.

I am probably most known for my role as Director of the Speranza Foundation where I manage the Lincoln City Fellowship, a one-year, non-residential grant program for individual artists and in my role as Experience Producer/Artist Wrangler at The Nomadic School of Wonder, where I join their team of artists and wondermakers who create multi-sensory “adventures in awe” rooted nature, art, community, and play.

I think clients value my transparency and nimbleness. I also apply both creative and strategic insights into any project and give a lot of attention to personalizing the guest experience rather than just reusing templates. I’ve found this to be especially important in virtual settings when people are showing up in drastically different mental/physical/sociological states, and often time zones.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Everything I am today is because of the people who have invested in my life and taken a chance on me when I and the circumstances around me didn’t always make sense. My entire family unit inspires me with their faith and choice to walk through fear and uncertainty with vulnerability and boldness.

Kathy Eldon for the ongoing reminder to “choose joy” when I am stressed and cranky and always reminding me of Teddy Roosevelt’s propelling words to, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Six years of empathy training and teaching alongside the genius Diana Castle, founder of The Imagined Life Studio. Her philosophy and acting classes transformed my life and continue to influence how I approach any creative project in my personal and professional life.

Producer Brian Gott, for opening doors of opportunity and showing me the art harnessing the power of Hollywood for social change.

Kathleen Treat, founder of the Speranza Foundation for the living example of prioritizing people before projects – always.

Barb Groth, founder of The Nomadic School of Wonder, for always challenging me about how I wanted to design my life and calling me back to the simple things that connect us as humans in this digital age.

Filmmaker, Vincent DeLuca and his talented crew at Big Pup Films for always helping me get straight to the heart of any story and making it look stunning.

Musician and Technical Director, Ryan Kirkland for making music that renews my soul and investing countless hours of research, creativity and innovation into our virtual events.

Jeremy Tucker, founder of Development Club – for the leadership, motivation and tools for developing personal and professional growth.

Jeff Lund for bringing me backstage at Cirque du Soleil and into his circle of kindred artists and entrepreneurs.

And strategic + relational advisor Alison Treleaven for always being generous with her support and connections in the worlds of entertainment and philanthropy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.noveleyeproductions.com
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credit:
Caleb Campbell

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.