Getting Started as a Producer

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Are you an up-and-coming producer? Do you want to know more about what a producer actually does? Join PROOF and Antigravity Academy for a practical conversation with indie producers who have made multiple projects and have wisdom to share. Learn about how to get started as a producer in short films, building your career, and the nuts-and-bolts mechanics of producing shorts (budgets, crews, festivals, etc.).

ABOUT THE MODERATOR:

Demma Strausbaugh

Independent Producer

Demma’s creative work operates in parallel: her producing mind focuses on strategy and uplifting strong voices, while her writer-director mind explores dystopian worlds and themes of grief and how we come out the other side of despair. She is currently developing two feature-length scripts that expand her exploration of human resilience and complex emotional landscapes. She has produced over 15 short films, and as a producer, she is passionate about supporting creatives with a clear vision who obsess over story. Beyond her own projects, she believes in uplifting the filmmaking community as a whole, fostering opportunities and connections for fellow creatives. A founding member of Film Girlz Brunch Chicago and a coordinator for the Chicago Independent Film Symposium, she champions up-and-coming filmmakers and bridges gaps in knowledge— which is why she also co-hosts “Players: A Film Industry Podcast” with Imani Davis, where they explore the creative and professional journeys of filmmakers and industry insiders.

PANELISTS INCLUDE:

Chris Kaye

Producer, Bandwagon

Chris Kaye began his career at Anonymous Content before landing at the production label Mr. Mudd (Juno, Ghost World, The Perk of Being a Wallflower), founded by Lianne Halfon, Russ Smith, and John Malkovich. As Mr. Mudd’s longtime Creative Executive, he developed projects with a wide array of emerging filmmakers and established companies, including Lionsgate, Miramax, Vice, CBS, and FX. His producorial debut, Thelma, was one of Sundance 2024’s breakout hits, released worldwide to critical acclaim while becoming one of the highest grossing indies of the year. Alongside Zoë Worth, he co-founded Bandwagon, a production company and incubator with a special focus on comedy. In addition to producing, Kaye has served as a faculty member and thesis mentor at the AFI Conservatory.

Valerie Bush

Producer, Antigravity Academy

Valerie Bush is a film producer and Head of Production at Antigravity Academy, the production company founded by Academy Award nominee Carlos López Estrada. Most recently, she produced DÌDI (弟弟), written and directed by Academy Award nominee Sean Wang, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, winning both the Audience Award and Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble. The film was acquired by Focus Features and released theatrically in July. Valerie also served as the Line Producer on Fremont, which debuted at Sundance 2023 and won the John Cassavetes Award at the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards. She is currently set to produce Ded, the next feature from López Estrada, with Antigravity and Redrum. Valerie was also the lead producer of FOR MEXICO, FOR ALL TIME, a six-chapter film broadcast live at the Las Vegas Sphere during Riyadh Season’s Noche UFC, a groundbreaking event in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. In addition to overseeing all of the company’s productions, Valerie leads Antigravity’s Screenwriter Camp, which focuses on developing features from first-time filmmakers, and is set to produce the feature films that emerge from the program. She also runs the company’s short film program in partnership with Dolby Institute. Valerie began her career in commercials and music videos, producing for top brands and artists such as YSL, NBA2k, WWE, Levis, Lexus, Kelly Clarkson, Twenty One pilots, Olivia Rodrigo and Michael Bublé. She is based in Los Angeles.

Tabs Breese

Independent Producer

Tabs Breese is an LA-based documentary producer from London. Tabs started her career in house in development at Portobello Studios, Pulse Films and Concordia Studio. Credits from that period include as field producer on DEVIL’S PIE (Tribeca 2019), development producer on Netflix Original BIKRAM, YOGI, GURU, PREDATOR (TIFF 2019) and development associate producer on A24’s BOYS STATE (Sundance Film Festival 2020). Since becoming an independent producer in 2019, Tabs’ features include Isabel Castro’s MIJA (Sundance Film Festival 2022), Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan’s NAKED GARDENS (Tribeca 2022), Eloïse King’s THE SHADOW SCHOLARS (Tribeca 2025) for Sir Steve McQueen’s Lammas Park and Film4 and Rajee Samarasinghe’s YOUR TOUCH MAKES OTHERS INVISIBLE (IFFR 2025). Tabs’ recent documentaries as development producer include Olivia Cappuccini’s LOVE + RAGE (SXSW London 2025) about activist Munroe Bergdorf, with Universal Studios and a music documentary from directors Ed Lovelace and James Hall with Dorothy Street Pictures. Shorts produced through her company Miriam include Zara Meerza’s “The Twins” (Aesthetica 2022) and Tajana B. Williams’ “Salone Love” (Sundance Film Festival 2024) both on WeTransfer and Miles Blackett’s “Pamilya” (SXSW 2024). Tabs is a Sundance DFP Grantee, an IDFAcademy Producer School Alumna (2018) and a Refinery29 x Google News Initiative Fellow (2019). She was selected for Doc NYC’s 2022 ‘40 Under 40’ list and the 2022 Berlinale Talents program. In 2023 she participated in the IFFR Producer Lab and in 2024 she was a Video Consortium x Doc NYC Mentor. Tabs is on the advisory council for Vidiots in Eagle Rock.

Christina Oh

Producer & Co-Founder, Celadon Pictures

Christina Oh is an Academy Award-nominated producer who has worked on a number of film and television projects over her career, including Bong Joon Ho’s OKJA (Netflix), Joe Talbot’s feature film debut THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO (A24), and Marielle Heller’s NIGHTBITCH (Searchlight). She has also produced MINARI (A24), written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to receive six Academy Award nominations, where Youn Yuh-jung won Korea’s first-ever Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Oh’s past television credits include LEGO MASTERS (FOX) and PAPER GIRLS (Amazon). In late 2023, she partnered with Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning Steven Yeun to head his production company, Celadon Pictures, where they will continuously look to champion and work with talented artists and visionaries across all fields.