Ep138: On Hiring Editors & AE’s, Fostering Creative Collaboration, and Managing Happy Post Teams | with Paul Leonard

<p>I've often said that being a Post Producer is one of the most thankless jobs in Hollywood. They are tasked with pleasing seemingly opposing forces, i.e. studios, networks, and show runners, while also managing a team of editors and assistants and making sure the show gets finished on budget (and on time). Having a good post producer that not only knows how to keep the trains running on time but also foster a creative, collaborative environment where everyone performs their best and enjoys life outside of work is a winning combination that is far too rare.</p> <p>Today's guest, <strong><a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502735/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Paul Leonard</a></strong> is one of those rare species of producers that has both editors and show runners alike wanting to work with him again and again. Paul has worked in television post production for 23 years and is best known for Co-producing <em>Battlestar Galactica</em> which earned 15 Emmy nominations (with three collective wins). He recently wrapped up a job at Marvel where he was one of the vice presidents of TV Post Production before deciding to go back to freelance producing.</p> <p>Paul is a fountain of knowledge and wisdom with countless ideas about how to lead successful post teams. He also has a wealth of war stories about managing demanding executive producers. In today’s conversation Paul candidly shares his thoughts on what gets editors and AE’s hired, and what qualities he likes his editors to possess in the bay. He combines a winning charm with a no BS approach that has earned him the well-deserved reputation for making great shows while also keeping his team happy and sane (it is possible!!!! But it takes effort).</p> <p>This is a rare “Insider Baseball” conversation that will be valuable to anyone wanting to get the unique perspective of a post producer who is both in charge of hiring, delivering a high quality creative product, and also getting maximum creativity out of his team while promoting a well balanced,