Producers Roundtable: Viola Davis, Jerry Bruckheimer, Gail Berman, Kristie Macosko Krieger & More

[@tanyenomichelle7021]

Viola is such a powerhouse, she just pulls you, makes you listen deeply, then feel what she is saying at every juncture. Magnificent talent, thinker and heart. Absolutely LOVE her.

[@ryeezy1642]

Amazing group for roundtable. And props to the MODERATOR for guiding the conversation so beautifully and allowing space for all the guests to be heard.

[@inesrodriguez876]

Absolutely 💯 Yes.

[@_adrian_sean]

👉🏾 one thing i love about Viola... She is NEVER afraid to talk about her true experience working as a Black actor in an entertainment industry that wasn't made for her. But she's making a way ! ❤

[@thecircleclub_]

This roundtable showed me how jaded or out of touch some producers are. Viola Davis starting from the ground up is how things should be done because you understand every component of the performance. Making a film as a white male and black woman is not even remotely the same. 20:29

[@DK_75]

It should not be the same when the white man has the biggest movie star in the world. Anyways, you are missing his point about emotion

[@DK_75]

@@darnellmajor8895 He is saying that the emotional core of the film is ultimately what determines the success of the film at the box office. It is the same thing that makes every movie a success at the box office

[@ams914]

How do you know that? How many movies have you made as a black woman?

[@pam0626]

But Tom Cruise started from the ground-up too. You seem to be inferring that male privilege has given Tom an unfair advantage, that he did not earn his place solely on merit. I don’t see it that way. The guy works incredibly hard and brings 1,000 percent commitment to every role. He is multi-faceted and, like Viola, understands every component of the filmmaking process. Can we stop turning everything into identity politics?

[@DK_75]

@@pam0626 That’s how these people view the world. They view everything through race and gender

[@gemelwalters2942]

I see Viola and I click, as usual she never disappoints. All great points, one of the problems small films face is the studio's need to appeal to everyone. They don't want to take risks. Jerry clearly made a misstep there in equating the hurdles of a film like Woman King vs the epitome of white male leads with Tom Cruise who studios will bend over backwards for.

[@DK_75]

They should bend over backwards for Tom since he is the biggest movie star in the world.

[@postinc]

Yep. Tom cruise basically green lit it with a single phone call. That is NOT comparable to what Woman King 👑 went through.

[@DK_75]

@@postinc Yea bc Top Gun is a guaranteed hit while the woman king was a guaranteed flop

[@macphallic]

Absolutely to the misstep!

[@gemelwalters2942]

@@DK_75 why is it a guaranteed hit? Yes, in your ignorance you are proving her very point. No worries I know you are just a sad individual looking for attention, and that's why the current status quo appeals to you because you are desperate for that.

[@Ernie1978]

Viola Davis is such a blessing to the world. That woman is somebody I really respect and you can tell she means everything she says, she is humble but she also knows her place in the world. I proudly turn into a fanboy whenever I see her in films, tv, or interviews! The Woman King is quite an achievement!

[@j.cutrone]

Well said. I feel the exact same about this Queen.

[@TheSuperScifiShow]

I met her at a charity event in Sept 2016, and I got a big hug AND a brief but fun conversation. When I tell u that what u feel and see and hear from her on a screen is just a FRACTION of the REALNESS and WARMTH and COOLNESS and APPROACHABILITY she exudes in person, I'm not exaggerating. And she's HUMBLE, to boot. I see her in a KZbin thumbnail and I click so fast, so I can get another hit (though JUST A FRACTION) of the energy she gave me in person, several years ago. She's A QUEEN OF THE HIGHEST ORDER --- on TV, in films, and in real life, for realz.

[@Amitabhaurora]

She's overdramatic

[@sonjablaziak6095]

Viola’s passion is on another level.

[@nickness126]

Viola: "we had to test screen our film starring and directed by black women to everyone but black women" Jerry Bruckheimer: "we all went through that"

[@Largo3point0]

LOL!!!

[@dlg5485]

Sadly, that's exactly how I expect someone in Jerry's position to think...like their experience in EVERYONE'S experience. Let's be real, empathy generally isn't the uber successful white man's strong suit.

[@13zomi]

I was like you seriously did not just "all lives matter" what she said lol smh

[@bbrown333]

HAD ME PISSED OFF. Totally tried to invalidate what she was saying.

[@sebastiangu7242]

Yeah that little condescending smile on Jerry and Gail's faces when Viola is talking is a bit telling...

[@sash9249]

You know what would have been classy? If Jerry said "Viola, I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. It's something I'll probably never have to experience and that's not right. So if it ever happens again, I want you to call me." and then he gives her his card.

[@Tombfan84]

That would be wonderful and a great way to bring someone to the table

[@kuramobay2445]

Bruckheimer is an old school Hollywood liberal, meaning, he gives to homeless charities, but doesn't want ethnics in his clubhouse if they're not there to do the cleaning. So asking him to get over his stereotypical mindset is like asking the leopard to change its spots.

[@dancingwoolf]

Viola speaking truth to power gives me so much life. Thank you for this conversation!

[@ams914]

She is the power, what are you talking about, lol? She's a multi-millionaire probably worth tens of millions at this point.

[@sonder1109]

I see Viola Davis I click! She inspires me and Genuinely great discussion and insight into their work and experiences!

[@albc7519]

Viola Davis is a legend. Speak truth to power and challenge the status quo, but still so humble and empathetic.

[@Powetheory]

After Viola expressed what hurdles she had to jump to get the film made…jerry comes in after her and equates all of their journey to hers…What?!?!

[@ghosted7450]

you mean trinna relate to a fellow human being?😂

[@MrLoyalty2me]

It pretty much went over his head. 🤣 I'm glad Viola explained it.

[@TheBlueFuton]

Look at Jerry B past movies and what he has done for different people.

[@rofaca]

I was like uhhhh….. it’s not the same struggle Jerry Bruckheimer lmao

[@Powetheory]

@@rofaca exactly!

[@macphallic]

Viola Davis is the truth! Hearing her speak, no matter what it is, is a force of healing! And every time I see her speak and hear her speak reignites my own courage. Above all, she is a woman, actor and producer whom I respect with the utmost!!

[@derrionbrown3923]

When Viola speaks, you breathe deeply!!!!!! 🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@thinker185]

She's everything! I could listen all day.

[@asabove4373]

We’re only here for Viola Davis! She’s the realest and such an inspiration.

[@johnsailorsgoat]

Incredible words by Viola Davis!

[@wildflowers30]

Viola always keeping it real. it's very refreshing.

[@mr.e212]

Viola's honesty got to love it. Jerry's response shows what Viola said clearly went over his head.

[@TheChrisSumlin]

Viola Davis brought the HEAT!🎉

[@robertocarletti2188]

That was probably the best round table so far. The energy around the table was intense, passionate and intriguing, as well as, creatively inspiring, intellectually mind-blowing and most of all, fun!

[@lahislateles6566]

Aah Viola always makes me feel so much emotion 🥹❤️ it's amazing listen to her 👏

[@harryclark8029]

Moderator did a phenomenal job, asked some brilliant questions!

[@thinker185]

Agreed

[@JR-hf4xy]

I love these but you know what I think is needed? a horror roundtable. Its been a great year for genre movies and people like ti west, jordan peele, halina reijn, mimi cave or scott derrickson would have an amazing conversation I'm sure

[@LayrtizParkProductions]

YEEEEES PLEASE

[@GETOSUPASTAR]

Viola Davis. That’s all! Nothing else needs to be said… 👑

[@reginaldhollis3562]

This is always the best roundtable every year! Please also bring back the studio exec one!

[@smorris7713]

I see you Viola, you brought it back. Well done👌🏽.

[@postinc]

Woman king was a really special film. The passion that Viola displays here for it, is warranted. It is story that needed to be told and preserved.

[@colstonlchinese]

I'm digging this producer's roundtable dialogue. Thanks for sharing!

[@artwasemsr4950]

This video has more humanity and heart than I have ever experienced on youtube. Thank you THR.

[@Robcpt]

Viola Davis's passion is insanely inspiration

[@kuramobay2445]

In my view, Jerry Bruckheimer seems to attempt to reduce the gender and race issues that Viola Davis mentioned to just stuff you go through to make an exceptional movie. It's like he refuses to recognize that race and gender discrimination is a separate and political issue that plagues society at large. He's just about old enough to run as a candidate for political office.

[@postinc]

Exactly 💯

[@oliverticalstudios]

Felt the same thing sitting here watching him try to very subtly dismiss the point Viola was trying to make. Then again of course he’s going to be defensive because he’s one of the “gatekeepers” she’s referring to. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@bdaf07]

This is exactly what I saw.

[@renatopinto3186]

He might've wanted to lighten up where the conversation was going, but failed miserably. His cut sounded awfully dismissive, rude even 😬

[@oliverticalstudios]

@@renatopinto3186 If that was his intention, which I highly doubt, then he should’ve chosen to chime in at some other point. Why did he feel the need to cut in right there and completely dismiss the point Viola was trying to make? I work in Hollywood, so I’ve seen it time and time again. Bottom line, if your thoughts and ideas don’t align with the powers that be, it’s a problem. Period. We can pretend it’s anything other than that but we all know the truth. Like it or not. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@forestgreene1771]

I love hearing what Viola has to say! Passionate mind.

[@dawn7220]

Viola Davis is so incredibly eloquent, just amazing 😍

[@betsymathews6832]

Viola Davis is a wonderful actress, producer, and person.

[@missribbon]

Viola Davis is so powerful to me, & this just confirms it again & again

[@ZandeKongo]

Either Bruckheimer missed Viola Davis's point about how hard it was to get a Black female led film made, or he's just downright obtuse.

[@Diro_Nikhil]

I don't think he missed that .... He is also happy to share his triumph ..as he should ...

[@macphallic]

His poorly timed response suggested that the hurdles she experienced were just another example of the hurdles that are inherent in making a film-and therefore something all producers face, which actually trivializes the specificity and particular complexity of her point that making a film with a vision that is actively and militantly discriminated against is a set of odds that sets her fight above some of her own peers fight.

[@Diro_Nikhil]

@@macphallic yeah but while I was watching it ...i was like yeah i got it ...we know how difficult it is mount a film with all black cast ... She was going on and on and that's understandable as she really had faced 10X than Maverick but surely the maverick guy will also speak .... That's why the moment he interjected everyone agreed and they moved on ... Everybody is a human being who wants to talk ...

[@Diro_Nikhil]

@A C thanks I dont need ur certificate ... I m self aware to know the diff between insensitive n racist .....but ur free to have your opinion. He was a prick wwho wanted his mic .... I dont see him as racist but u sure can and fortunately I won't call you names

[@MRLONG758]

I think both

[@sonjablaziak6095]

This is the first time I’ve seen a moderator validate the panels responses!👍

[@krissifadwa]

When I read the comment section, you can't help but state the elephant of the room! Viola Davis is a powerful creator! Best Black actor to be set on screen. Such an inspiration! ❤

[@MellowChick09]

He completely dismissed Viola’s comment. The movies are not the same. The emotions are NOT the same. It’s so deeply ingrained that they don’t recognize it when they do it.

[@mzseasoneddiva7608]

Just the thought of the WOMEN KING movie makes me SMILE SO BIG 😊IF EVER YOUR FEELING DOWN… watch ANYTHING with VIOLA❤

[@bryansparkman4833]

PLEEEEEASE, NEVER STOP PRODUCING ROUNDTABLE!!! Thank you. 😄

[@racqynathiri856]

If you’re here for *VIOLA DAVIS* talk about her journey - 13:21

[@Patience_asore]

Violas passion is contagious ❤️❤️❤️❤️… love her

[@runningonemty8566]

Viola Davis ❤ And The Woman King - Love It

[@inesrodriguez876]

Thanks so much for such interesting roundtable.!!✨🥰

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

“Million Dollar Movie” … likely a contemporary. Ms. Davis… unabashed authenticity. A privilege to experience Ms. Davis, graceful, humble, forthright… dang, my thesaurus crashed! Wonderful session adroitly facilitated making this among the finest I have viewed. Thank you all. Best wishes, health, joy and wellbeing… 🫶🏼 🥂 🖖🏼

[@Kaalyn_HOW]

Not Jerry hijacking Viola's brilliant, heartfelt, *painful* delineation of awful obstacles she had to go through just to go "all producers matter!" and then highlight TOM CRUISE????? Wow. His fragility over hearing her say "how do we make white men care". We heard you, Viola. We see you.

[@fashion_fckyou]

Lol 😂 keep crying about it.

[@MRLONG758]

Ikr

[@ThaAmjab]

exactly,

[@johnconnor4749]

@@fashion_fckyou ok whitey

[@alexisbyrd5571]

​@zack did your mom not love u enough? Just curious.

[@darrenjoe674]

Great round table. Each making great points.

[@cesiag29]

Viola Davis elevates everything she touches, every space. ✨️

[@bdaf07]

It’s really typical that Jerry would dismiss what Viola said by reducing it to stuff that they all went through.

[@Nobody91021]

I'd love to see a child actors roundtable who are around 18-22 years old, with guests like Jenna Ortega, Bella ramsey, millie bobby brown, Abraham Attah, David Mazouz and more just to talk about their experience being child actors and growing out of that role or about how they still are acting as child roles. Mainly since l just finished 'last of us' and 'beasts of no nation' which were great pieces of story telling!

[@animaarmah3711]

FANTASTIC ROUNDTABLE, ALL THE FILMS ARE AMAZING. I ESPECIALLY HAVE SO MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATE HER DEDICATION TO THE FILM AND TO BLACK WOMEN MEANS EVERYTHING #THEWOMANKING 😁

[@saint18ruben]

The best round table of the year

[@lcz4033]

Excellent roundtable

[@faafafineartist]

EEAAO was divine. I needed it exactly when I saw it.

[@CharisAmarh]

Viola Davis. What a icon, what a powerhouse. There is no one like you.

[@AnferneeMyers]

I needed this, so badly.

[@4mIlr]

thanks for sharing these great and valuable contents, this is a pure masterclass for cinema lovers

[@henry2168]

This is REALLY cool, like watching this you really get an idea of "them" this is their experience, this is their perspective, this is their energy, and watching it idk if this a known idea in the industry, but the movie feels like the producer. idk maybe that's obvious.

[@GHBobBrownbear]

Great Roundtable

[@byronadams5759]

VIOLA!! "Truth is bravery"

[@mariamysoul]

Always so inspiring, please make more. Thank you

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

i love roundtables when they feature unknowns or people who the public might not necessarily known. apart from viola davis i'd say they're mostly unknown.

[@Dayvit78]

Exactly. Filmmaking is a collaborative effort, so we need more than just actors' roundtables. And Hollywood Reporter delivers.

[@MRLONG758]

Jerry Bruckheimer is pretty well-known

[@melindamullins9272]

amazing honesty i love this and the humbleness is so surprising but so refreshing..

[@cinesheikh]

Great video, I dont need an ad every 2 minutes though, don't get greedy Hollywood Reporter

[@thepenthouse6793]

This made me watch The Woman King again ❤

[@lesleyalfaro6556]

I loved this interview! And I loved this interviewer!!!! Finally, an interviewer doesn't segue into the next person in such an abrupt, unfeeling way. I hate it when interviewers ask super detailed and empathetic questions, get a deep well thought answer and then immediately go on to the next person and ask a question! Whenever I see interviewers do that, it feels so disrespectful and disingenuous to me-- which is totally unfair when you're the one who asked the question in the first place; lol we get it, it's a job, sheesh. Idk if anyone else feels that way lol just my opinion.

[@janetrobertson9199]

The round tables have had been great thanks to the facilitators.

[@kaboteinment1715]

Viola Davis must be protected at all costs 💕🌺

[@vee105105]

Viola Davis is My Girl❤️🌹

[@TheSisthaCircle]

Viola … your truth your voice is powerful … has I always say… if it was easy everybody would do it… because it’s hard doesn’t mean that you don’t! The Women King was phenomenal… thank you for the fight!

[@Chuuzus]

the way Jerry Bruckheimer just dismissed was Viola Davis said just proves everything she said to be correct

[@kl.8992]

Yesss Viola

[@SydneyLovePJBJ]

Jerry was bs for reducing what Viola stated on how hard it was for her to get The Woman King made… no where near the “we all went through that” you all had challenges which she said … everyone has it hard. But her challenges were/are so specific and really is on another level. Shame no one acknowledge what she said.

[@terrikesler1823]

Viola Davis is SUPERB. 👏🏻

[@whattypeofx7750]

is this a viola special , i love it

[@ahmadalmaiman8600]

I agree with everything that has been said, especially Viola and Jerry.

[@scottmena4653]

It's crazy how COVID affected all these films but yet like Jerry Bruckheimer says that their films resonated to the audience in some special way. Loved all these movies that came out in 2022.

[@86figs]

I saw Viola, I clicked.

[@mbalikhoza6162]

I just love Voila Davis👌🏽

[@FramesPerSecond]

Surprised Maria Bello wasn’t here as she brought the project to Viola. But it was nice having Viola here.

[@chillbest14]

Awesome thanks

[@TienDuong-vt9ks]

Viola is the best

[@footballhistory2139]

What about this year cinematographers roundtable?? are you guys skipped it?

[@kellyzhou9971]

Was last years producers roundtable ever released? Want to see denis.

[@txchestnut1837]

We love you Viola Davis thank you.

I love the roundtables. But instead of asking "when was the moment when you realized you were successful" she could ask about their growing up and what led things to becoming what they became. we'd have so much more insight on the same theme

[@luanna376]

BRAVO👏👏👏

[@jxixikiki2374]

Viola was right, what prevail true character and story is courage and honesty. Audience wants to see you as who you are, even it means ugly truth. If film is not about activism it is only entertainment. It Is her selflessness as art director shatters confidence of others, although I feel women king is not her particular right approach at this moment of social environment.

[@FazartOrganization]

More roundtables!!!

[@romanumeralz]

Viola should just change her name to Amanda Waller. She’s all Kingpin now. 🤣

[@dancoyle6911]

I appreciate the way that viola elaborated on her struggle making this film, but I would’ve found that her statements about truth and integrity in storytelling had more legitimacy had the story told the whole truth about that tribe of women in Africa. The movie left some giant things out.

[@sebastianvilla7767]

I love Viola.

[@joribremer5260]

You should do a musicians roundtable :)

[@thePocketWatch45]

Viola kept it too real! lol love her

[@jynx2501]

I need Viloa Davis to be my life coach...

[@moneiseduku2884]

Viola Davis❤

[@SairajRKamath]

Imagine if Don Simpson was still alive and participated in this with Jerry. The table would be full of snow and Macallan whiskey.

[@ccan_max5285]

When are we getting a huge roundtable with like 60 people lol

[@graememowat2322]

Jerry Bruckheimer doesn't understand construction clearly.

[@rofaca]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@DK_75]

He understands it better than everyone in the comments section. It’s not that hard to make black led films in Hollywood nowadays. We see it all the time

[@postinc]

🤭🤭🤭

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

Jerry Bruckheimer is the ONLY person on that panel that intimately understands the job of a head producer. The correct answer however is just that a producer is a facilitator. Whether that be bringing in one singularly vital aspect, or developing every single respect of production for every department and then securing resources and protecting the creatives from getting deterred - the same credit can be cited. But the better analogy would be a sports metaphor where a true lead producer scouts every player on the team and then gets out on the line and digs their cleats into the field to block for the quarterback and receivers to be able to shine by letting their talents loose to score a victory for the entire franchise. Then he leads the post game interviews to exalt his stars and bolster their endorsement deals to which he gets a handsome cut for having brokered.

[@lexm17]

@@DK_75we really don’t tbf