Who helps studio execs decide what movies get made—and what are they thinking about when they make their recommendations? For Shivani Patel, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Universal Pictures, it’s where creative opportunity meets commercial strategy—and every decision has to be backed by the data.

Shivani plays a key role in shaping Universal’s film slate, bringing both business insight and a lifelong love of movies to the table. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley talks with her about the journey from Friday night runs to Blockbuster with her family to sitting in the room where “greenlight discussions” happen

They talk about the moments that shaped her—why The Dark Knight changed everything, how Chef made her a grilled cheese obsessive, and what it felt like to help bring films like Yesterday and Get Out to life. Shivani also reflects on the importance of showing up fully at work, and how the best decisions are often made when instinct and insight come together.

Blumhouse has built an empire on bold ideas, small budgets, and massive cultural impact. At the center of it all is Abhijay Prakash, the studio’s president, who has spent his career bridging creative ambition with smart business strategy.

Starting as an intern at Universal Pictures, Abhijay worked his way through key roles at Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, and Universal, where he helped guide major creative and business decisions. His passion for film was sparked by a love of Bollywood and Hollywood classics, and today, that passion fuels his approach to taking smart risks, championing daring stories, and evolving the horror genre.

In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley chats with Abhijay about his journey from strategy to scares, the creative freedom that drives Blumhouse, and why horror is one of the most exciting spaces in modern filmmaking.

Priany Hadiatmodjo has dedicated her career to shaping the next generation of Hollywood leaders. As Director of the NBCUniversal Page Program, she plays a huge role in launching careers at one of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious training grounds, guiding emerging talent as they take their first steps into the business.

Her love for film began long before her industry career, with movies like The Breakfast Club and Speed shaping her belief in storytelling as a way to connect generations. That passion for cinema has carried into her work, where she fosters opportunity, champions mentorship, and helps create pathways for future entertainment professionals.

In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Priany to discuss the impact of film, the lessons she’s learned as a leader, and how the NBCUniversal Page Program continues to open doors for the next wave of industry talent.

How do you craft marketing campaigns that impact culture and excite audiences around the world? In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Jenny Storms, Chief Marketing Officer NBCUniversal Television & Streaming, to explore her extraordinary journey from early ambitions of wanting to be a professional Ski Racer to now leading some of the biggest global campaigns across television, sports, and streaming.

From galvanizing audiences worldwide during the 2024 Paris Olympics to harnessing the power of cross-divisional collaboration, Jenny reflects on how her early passion for film, sports, and tv have all led to a full circle moment in her current role. Jenny shares the movies that shaped her love of storytelling and the traditions that keep her connected to her family. Plus, learn about the strategy behind some of NBCUniversal’s most successful campaigns and partnerships – from the return of the NBA and WNBA, to showcasing the magic of Team USA, discover how having a “if you can’t beat them, join them,” mentality has propelled Jenny into a role impacting media and culture.

How do today’s biggest films reach audiences across social media, streaming, and beyond? In this episode, Nicole Schlegel, Vice President of Global Digital Marketing at Universal Pictures, joins Jacqueline Coley to talk about crafting digital campaigns for blockbusters like Get Out, Oppenheimer, and The Fast and the Furious franchise.

Growing up as the child of actors, Nicole was immersed in the world of entertainment from an early age. While her parents encouraged her to explore careers beyond acting, their passion for storytelling ultimately inspired her own path in Hollywood. She shares her journey from publicity to digital marketing and how the rise of social media has transformed the way movies connect with audiences. Nicole also discusses working with talent like Jack Black, Tiffany Haddish, and Jeff Goldblum, the creative strategies behind viral movie moments, and how digital campaigns continue to evolve alongside the industry.

What makes a movie unforgettable? In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Matt Reilly, Executive Vice President of Production Development at Universal Pictures, for an inside look at the creativity and strategy behind some of the studio’s boldest projects.

From gritty crime dramas like The Town to the wild chaos of Cocaine Bear, Matt shares stories of championing unique concepts, developing genre-defying hits, and collaborating with visionary filmmakers. He dives into how bold pitches like Violent Night evolve into audience favorites, the role of test screenings in shaping films, and the thrill of taking risks on unconventional stories.

A lifelong fan of cinema, Matt reflects on his admiration for films like The Exorcist and Die Hard, the power of storytelling to captivate audiences, and how Universal Pictures balances fresh ideas with respect for its iconic legacy. Whether it’s reviving beloved franchises or creating the next cult classic, Matt offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on what it takes to keep audiences coming back to theaters.

Ke Huy Quan has captured audiences’ hearts for decades, from his early roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies to his Oscar-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Now, in his first leading role, Ke stars in Love Hurts, a high-energy action comedy that blends heartfelt storytelling with thrilling fight sequences.


In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley speaks with Ke about stepping into the spotlight as a leading man, his dedication to authentic action choreography, and how his love for classic Hong Kong cinema influenced his approach to the genre. Ke also reflects on his personal journey, from childhood stardom to his triumphant Hollywood comeback, and the mentors who helped shape his career, including Steven Spielberg and the Daniels.


With humor and humility, Ke shares his passion for storytelling, the importance of representation, and the resilience it takes to break new ground in the entertainment industry.

In this special episode, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Emmy and Grammy nominated composer and Academy Award® winning filmmaker Kris Bowers, in front of a live audience at the SCAD Film Festival in Savannah, GA. 
 
Known for his genre-defying scores in films like Bob Marley: One Love, The Color Purple, the Emmy winning series Bridgerton and his latest project, DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed hit, The Wild Robot, Bowers reflects on his early passion for piano, the emotional resonance of music, and how personal experiences have shaped his work.  We’ll explore his collaborative process with director Chris Sanders, the challenges of crafting melodies that tell a story, and his approach to creating unforgettable moments of sound and cinema.
 
From his Oscar-winning short The Last Repair Shop to iconic film scores, Kris shares insights into his creative process, lessons learned from his career, and his vision for the future of music and storytelling. 

Bringing movies to the big screen takes passion and expertise. In this episode, Jacqueline Coley sits down with Peter Kujawski, Chairman of Focus Features, to talk about his path from intern to head of a studio known for award-winning, auteur-driven films. Peter shares an inside perspective on Focus’s commitment to unique, culturally relevant stories—from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to NOSFERATU and beyond. Hear how Peter’s lifelong love of cinema shapes his vision for films and inspires the distinctive culture he’s built at Focus Features.

As the Director of Photography for WICKED, Alice Brooks shaped the film’s visual identity, bringing Director Jon M. Chu’s vision to life with a vibrant and immersive cinematic experience. In this episode, Alice joins Jacqueline Coley to share her journey working in entertainment, from growing up in a creative family to discovering her passion for cinematography. Learn how Alice’s early college film projects were all leading up to bringing the massive production of WICKED to life. Discover how she balanced technical precision and creative intuition to capture the stunning sets and incredible performances of this cultural phenomenon.
 
Hear how the deep personal connection Alice formed with the magical world of WICKED created a special bond between her and her daughter during filming, and how it has already begun to inspire a new generation of creatives.

How do you bring a cultural phenomenon like WICKED to the big screen? In this episode, Jacqueline Coley joins director Jon M. Chu in Oz to talk about his work on his generation-defining cinematic event and how his personal connection to the stage musical inspired him to take on the project.

We’ll explore Chu’s special connection to WICKED, his creative process, the film’s grand spectacle, and the key character moments that deliver WICKED's narrative and emotional impact.  Hear how Chu’s collaboration with stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, along with the film’s talented crew, resulted in show-stopping musical numbers, stunning sets and meticulously crafted details that will enchant audiences worldwide.

How do you bring a beloved book series to life on the big screen? In this episode, we chat with Chris Sanders, the writer and director behind DreamWorks Animation's THE WILD ROBOT. Chris shares how he first discovered the project and what drew him to adapt Peter Brown’s popular book series, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.

We’ll learn how Chris and his team crafted the film’s unique hand-painted, analog-inspired look and the challenges of blending traditional animation techniques with modern CGI. Plus, we’ll get insight into the casting process and how Lupita Nyong'o brought the character Roz to life with remarkable depth and transformation.

How do you turn an idea into a box office hit? Meet Ryan Jones, Senior Vice President of Production at Universal Pictures, who has a built a career on tackling just that! In this episode, Ryan takes us into the world of creative development and reveals what has inspired him to work on some of the most talked-about films and how they take shape. From action blockbusters to heartfelt dramas, to horror movies and beyond - Ryan has been at the forefront of bringing movies to life that not only entertain but also push the boundaries of storytelling.
 
Learn how taking bold risks—like making Deadpool an R-rated sensation or leaning into the virality of a killer doll in M3GAN—can lead to major rewards. Join us as Ryan provides a sneak peek into what life is like on the iconic Universal lot, where Hollywood history meets the thrill of creating the next cinematic sensation.