Check Out Rachel Greenwald’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Greenwald.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a love for storytelling. I was the kid you would find for hours on the floor of a bookstore reading and exploring new worlds and ideas. In high school, I was fortunate enough to get a job at a used bookstore where my love for both written and human stories grew. My favorite part of my job was talking with customers about the books they gravitated toward and how they related to their personal lives. Pairing the right book to a customer and seeing the excitement on their face was one of my greatest joys. In college at the University of California Santa Cruz, I majored in Greek and Roman literature, which gave me a crash course in not only the fundamentals of storytelling but also the impact stories have on society as a whole. I was enamored by how much we could learn about an ancient civilization based on the stories they told to one another, and how those narratives were not dissimilar from the ones we search out now in Film and TV. I found my bridge to visual storytelling and could not get enough of it. While at UCSC, I interned at Fox Searchlight, where I first experienced the magic of seeing a film originate from an idea to a full film, working on projects like “12 Years A Slave” and “The Way Way Back”. When I graduated, I moved to Los Angeles and was voracious about participating in every department of filmmaking.

Over the years, I have worked in development at Fox Studios, as an agent’s assistant at Verve Talent & Literary Agency, a Post PA on shows like “Mistresses” and “Riverdale”. There was no task too small that I was not curious about, and that led me to my love for Production. The human connection that is required to make a film come alive, starts in production and I was in awe of the talent and camaraderie I saw on set. I began producing short-form content on my own, from short films to music videos which allowed me to build and craft my unique style of producing. In 2018, I worked on my very first documentary, which was a documentary feature on the band Sublime. By the beginning of 2019, I was an Associate Producer on the Netflix documentary series, “Untold.” I found my home in documentaries, and working with real people brings me back to my time at the bookstore. It is a privilege to be entrusted with personal stories and an honor I do not take lightly. After “Untold”, I moved on to becoming a lead Producer at Breakwater Studios where I now make short documentaries focusing on the unsung and remarkable stories of everyday people.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My career has come with its challenges. Film and TV, but especially production, tends to be a male-dominated space. I am accustomed to being the only woman on set and have struggled with both casual and overt examples of sexism throughout my career. These have consisted of anything from my set capabilities being assumed to be less than my male counterparts to being sexually harassed by other crew members and documentary subjects. Moments like these in my career have only strengthened my resolve and dedication to creating a safe environment on set for any member of my crew.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a Creative Producer. I am passionate about the story creation process and every decision made in production, post-production, and finishing is in support of the vision of the story. I am known to be very passionate about each project I work on. Especially in documentaries when working with real people, it is important to handle each film with care. When someone entrusts you with their story, it is essential to treat each storyteller with the same attention as any other. I am proud of not only the creative contributions that I give to each project but also the environments I create with the storytellers and my crew. One of the pillars of my producing philosophy is that the best content emerges from a safe and supportive set and I am proud to see this be true through the projects I have made at Breakwater. This can be seen in NY Times Op-Docs such as “Mink!” and “The Best Chef In The World” and additional branded docs I have made while at Breakwater Studios.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Even after almost ten years of being in this industry, I am always a fan first. I still get excited by new and innovative shows, such as “The Bear,” and “Succession” that challenge viewers narratively. I also continue to be a big reader, gravitating towards memoirs of other filmmakers, like Sidney Lumet, or people I admire like Anthony Bourdain. Additionally, I am part of film and book clubs (shout out to my horror Stephen King book club!) with friends and colleagues. These range from watching new and emerging content or revisiting the classics of filmmakers who paved the way with their innovative talents. Maybe it is the documentary filmmaker in me, but the best resource for growth is the people around you. I strive to continue to be in spaces that allow me to engage with my peers, learn from my friends, and expose me to new ideas.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachgdub/

Image Credits
Sam Vladimirsky