Susan Cartsonis (Veteran Producer & Former Studio Executive) on Filmmaking and Championing Women’s Stories

Send Kevin a Text Message In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Susan Cartsonis, a renowned producer and former studio executive known for championing women's stories in Hollywood. From 20th Century Fox to independent producing, Susan has been behind hits like What Women Want, Where the Heart Is , Aquamarine, Sitting in Bars with Cake , and True Sprit . She shares her journey in the film industry, her passion for storytelling, and her commitment to bringing diverse perspectives to the screen. From Theater to Hollywood: Susan's Early Career (04:32) Susan recounts her transition from theater studies to the film industry, starting as a reader at 20th Century Fox in New York. Favorite Projects at Fox: A Legacy of Impactful Films (19:07) Susan reflects on some of her projects including Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Dying Young , working with Bette Midler on For the Boys , and with Jodie Foster on Nell . Going toe to toe with Barry Diller for Sleeping With the Enemy (24:17) Susan shares a memorable story about standing up to Barry Diller in a meeting, advocating for projects she believed in. The Birth of Home Alone (29:25) Susan reveals how her personal family experience helped convince executives to greenlight the beloved classic Home Alone . Producing What Women Want and Championing Women’s Stories (31:25) Susan discusses her involvement in producing What Women Want and her passion for supporting women filmmakers and telling stories from diverse perspectives, drawing inspiration from classic films like The Wizard of Oz . The Importance of Inclusion and Female Leadership (39:07) Kevin and Susan discuss the value of inclusive storytelling and advocate for more female leadership in Hollywood and beyond. Balancing Art and Audience in Filmmaking (47:40) Kevin and Susan discuss the delicate balance between honoring artistic vision and meeting audience expectations in film production. The Value of Audience Testing and Interpretation (53:44) Susan praises Kevin's ability to interpret audience feedback and find the "note beneath the note" in test screenings. Susan Cartsonis’ passion for women's voices and her experiences as both a studio executive and producer provide listeners with a unique perspective on the film industry. From her work on blockbusters like Nell and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to more recent projects like Carrie Pilby and Beastly , Susan's career highlights the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in cinema. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. Host: Kevin Goetz Guest: Susan Cartsonis Producer: Kari Campano Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment) For more information about Susan Cartsonis: Wikipedia: For more information about Kevin Goetz: - Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com - Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678 - How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/ - Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360 - LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz - Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com