Glowing Up from Fox News to Black Love (with Codie Elaine)

How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Codie Elaine, the TV and film producer known for directing Black Love, a docuseries showcasing the beauty of love in black couples. Codie gives insight for aspiring producers and filmmakers into how to create momentum in the film industry and how to get picked up by a production company without giving up creative ownership or direction. She also speaks on what it’s been like to produce content with her husband, Tommy Oliver, while raising a family and thriving as a mompreneur.

But first, Codie sheds light on how she kept pursuing her passion for producing after studying broadcast journalism and working at Fox News (which she hated). She speaks on how she dealt with the challenges and devastating letdowns of not being able to get work and move up in the ranks, as well as how she pivoted to a new path in film production. Codie also talks about the time where she “left the business” and realized how many ways people can make an income while helping others.

“I wanted to tell stories, I didn’t know exactly where I fell but I definitely saw myself as a connector, a problem-solver that could push things uphill and that’s really what producing was.”- Codie Elaine

Tune in to learn about the various pathways you can take as an aspiring producer and what she looks for in a boss and a mentor. Plus, she tells the story of how Black Love, along with her own love story, came to be amidst a “black marriage crisis.”

“Be realistic about what it is you have, what it is you control, and what you’re asking of a partner. If you’re asking for them to pay for it, then you should expect to give something up.”- Codie Elaine

Connect with Codie:

Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/codieco

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/codieelaine

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/codie-elaine-oliver-6088a345

Resources Mentioned:

Peter Stark Production Program: https://cinema.usc.edu/producing/index.cfm

Confluential Content: www.confluentialcontent.com

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.

The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com