Conversations with Carolina do Lago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina do Lago.

Hi Carolina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am delighted to share my story. I believe that by sharing and reading stories like mine, we can help each other navigate life and discover how amazing it can be when we step out of our comfort zones. I was born in Oporto, Portugal, far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

My interest in filmmaking began when I got my first computer and started making small videos. Even in school, I recognized the importance of this medium. I remember preferring to create videos rather than doing regular PowerPoint presentations, as it allowed me to be more creative. I’ve always been interested in art, and I knew I wanted to pursue it in high school. However, my school didn’t have a lot of resources for filmmaking, so I explored painting and other forms of art. Despite this, I still managed to make a horror short film with some creative classmates, and it was a lot of fun writing and directing it. I showed it to my Philosophy teacher, and she compared it to David Lynch’s films, which got me interested in Author cinema. After that, my friends and I started creating more short films.

I was enthusiastic about attending college, but during that time, there weren’t many opportunities to pursue film and TV, as there was only one school with a multimedia program. So, I completed my Bachelor’s degree, and most importantly, I learned how crucial collaboration and working quickly and efficiently with limited resources are! During my college years, I was into writing and directing, and I created two more short films, which taught me even more about filmmaking than the classes. I was so eager to learn and improve that I was willing to put maximum effort into even the smallest tasks. Based on my efforts, some of my teachers recommended me to work as a production assistant in my first involvement with two feature films. It was an invaluable learning experience for me, as I was surrounded by people who were more experienced than me, and this motivated me to strive for excellence. Although it was a demanding time, I had a clear goal in mind – to build my resume and start applying to schools in Los Angeles.

After college, I completed two courses – one in Assistant Directing and the other in Film Criticism. Both were very different, but at the same time, important in building my skill set and preparing me for the future. In Portugal, I saw a gap in the entertainment business, which led me to want to learn more about it in Los Angeles. I was always fascinated by old Hollywood and how things used to work back then. My passion for the history of film and how a city was built around that, I couldn’t be more excited about having that experience. I enrolled in a Certificate program for producing at UCLA. At first, there was a lot of information to take in, but it was fresh and exciting.

The entertainment industry in this city is different from Portugal and even Europe. I no longer wanted to make movies with just myself and a few intellectual people. I started learning how to look at the big picture and what it takes to produce a studio commercial movie or TV show. When I came to Hollywood, I had an indie-intellectual-foreign-movie-buff type of attitude, but I began paying attention to how films and shows should be available for everyone to enjoy. I was passionate about the entire process: from finding an amazing idea to pitching, selling, redoing, getting frustrated, doing it all over again, getting approved, and achieving success. In fact, I know what it’s like to be on the creative side and not be understood by the “people in suits.” Despite my vast knowledge of references, authors, 60s French New Wave, and 20s German expressionists, I am also proficient in deal-making, advocating for a project to be made, and navigating the intricate details of contracts and financial decision-making. I possess a deep understanding of what decisions need to be taken and am capable of making them with confidence.

During my career journey, I had the opportunity to be part of the jury for an International Student Film Festival. I was tasked with reviewing hundreds of applications, which gave me valuable experience in assessing film and story quality. Subsequently, I completed an internship at a renowned international production company based in Los Angeles. This experience allowed me to witness the fast-paced environment of the entertainment industry, gaining insight into how Hollywood works. This experience has motivated me to keep thriving in the industry.

Alright, 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?
It’s not an easy path AT ALL. But it’s totally worth it. I think the moment that I decided that I wanted to pursue arts in Portugal was challenging. Before attending high school art classes, I used to be a good student. To pursue this area, you need a lot of passion because it does not work well in Portugal. Deciding to pursue an art career meant facing a tough choice: either taking on multiple jobs as a freelancer or moving to a better opportunity in another country. My family supported my decision to do arts, but I was young and needed to prove that I wasn’t just going into arts because I wasn’t good enough for the rest. While applying for my Bachelor’s, I applied to Multimedia and the best Architecture school in my country. Either way, I would show both that I could be the best applicant. Studying Descriptive geometry and painting made me excel in both. I was accepted into Architecture and got a scholarship for the best portfolio and admission.

The most challenging part was waiting a year after graduation to hear back from graduate school while also taking a gap year. It was very scary for me as I couldn’t find a temporary job in the entertainment sector in Portugal, therefore I had to settle for working in retail. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy it at all. I recall that the initial three months were quite difficult as I had no idea what the future held in store for me. Fortunately, I adapted to this new adventure and had amazing coworkers who were also very inspiring in their own lives.

Despite not enrolling in grad school because of bureaucracy, I didn’t give up and instead applied for a shorter program in Producing at UCLA. A few months later, I packed three bags and flew to a new country alone. The first few months here in LA were fulfilling, and I continue to have reality checks all the time while learning so much about film and TV. At one point, I was studying, doing an amazing internship at a production company, working at a museum to pay my bills, and judging a student film festival.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have worked in almost every aspect of Film and TV production and currently, I am in the Development field. My job is to search for stories, screenplays, and other materials for production companies, studios, and networks. This position allows me to combine my taste for content, strategic thinking, and intuition. One of the most important things I have learned in this industry is that, as an executive or someone working for one, you must go beyond personal viewpoints. You must be able to determine whether the content is marketable, suitable for casting, and, most importantly, has a compelling narrative. What excites me the most is that I can work in almost any area! For instance, podcasting is one of my hobbies, and I currently have a Portuguese podcast with my friends called “A Pensar Morreu um Burro” where we share funny stories that happened to us from Portugal to Los Angeles.

I enjoy coming up with unique ideas that go beyond film and TV production by creating cohesive stories through content creation. I like to push myself and thrive when I have a lot on my plate, even if it feels overwhelming at times. I believe that no one is better than anyone else, and my diverse experiences in my 20s have helped me connect with people from all walks of life. In this industry, it’s crucial to build relationships with people of different backgrounds. From my past work in customer service, I learned that effective communication involves meeting people where they are, listening without judgment, asking open and honest questions, and treating everyone with humanity. I believe that the best stories come from unexpected places, and I love to talk and connect with others.

It is important to me that I never hold back and always take risks. When I first got involved in Hollywood, it felt like knowing the right people, such as being the child of Steven Spielberg or casually hanging out with A-list celebrities, was the only way to get a foot in the door. Unfortunately, this is mostly true. However, my goal is to break through and start from scratch. Despite being a new girl in town, I have met some incredible people in the industry, including Academy Award winners, just by using social media to reach out.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
It’s important to challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones every day. Even though I’m proud of where I am now, I had to face a lot of rejections, leave the house on rainy days, meet with strangers, ask for help or advice, and be in situations where others were more talented than me. I could have chosen to stay in my comfort zone, surrounded by my inner circle, doing the same things over and over again. But I realized that the real excitement is in taking the plunge and trying new things. It’s like going from a small fishbowl to the vast ocean. Only then can we truly grow and realize our full potential.

Although I have left my home country, I still take great pride in my cultural heritage. Every day, I make a conscious effort to integrate various aspects of my Portuguese culture into my life in LA. This includes wearing traditional jewelry such as Portuguese filigree, cooking authentic dishes like codfish with cream, and consuming a lot of Portuguese content such as podcasts, TV shows, music, and news.

I love being a woman in this industry. Things have changed a lot in the last few years. Before, women weren’t included in decision-making rooms, but that’s not the case anymore. The best part is that I can be myself, feminine and all, and still be heard. I don’t have to dress or behave like a man to make my point. However, we still have work to do. We need to make it easier for more women to join us at the table and support each other as mentors.

In 10 years, my goal is to create a media company that spans across different industries, encouraging creativity and innovation. We will incubate ideas for movies, TV shows, products, and campaigns, bringing to life stories that inspire and resonate with people. I am passionate about creating honest, uplifting, and meaningful content that makes people feel warm and happy, like a hot coffee on a chilly Sunday morning. Our creative ecosystem will have no boundaries, always keeping up-to-date with the latest technological innovations.

Here’s a healthy thought to keep in your pantry from one of my favorite bakeries in Los Angeles, Milk Bar:

Failure is necessary. Let it in. Chew it up, and use it as fuel for your soul. It’s your power bar for the day. – Christina Tosi – Milk Bar’s Chef

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinadolago/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinadolago/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0joZ1LfQEmwCh1KaiItWtq?si=092d442d812342ab