Director/Filmmaker Dana Richie, Founder of Backlot Productions, Unveils “The World Is Yours” For REVOLT Summit x AT&T

Director/Filmmaker Dana Richie of female-owned and operated Los Angeles-based creative production company Backlot has just unveiled “The World Is Yours” for REVOLT Summit x AT&T. Under Richie’s leadership and vision, her creative team at Backlot is collaborating with Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor and her all-female production company The Aunties on a five-part, original digital content series that highlights young women of color on the rise, emerging artists, entrepreneurs and creators sharing the trials and triumphs of chasing success.

The series premiered on the REVOLT Summit app September 19th and follows the lives of singer & actress Ryan Destiny, Indian-American rap star and Grammy-nominated songwriter Raja Kumari, and successful eyewear entrepreneurs Coco and Breezy. To view “The World Is Yours” download the Revolt Summit app.

“Dana directed, wrote and co-executive produced “The World Is Yours” for Revolt Summit x AT&T through her company Backlot,” says Mercedes Lindsey, Production Management for Revolt. “The episodes are beautifully shot and Dana was able to really capture the essence of the young rising stars the series profiles.”

According to Richie, collaborating with REVOLT, Teyana Taylor, The Aunties and AT&T on “The World Is Yours” has been an incredible opportunity. “The entire team has been fantastic to work with and the content is completely inspiring,” says the Director. “I’ve really enjoyed helping to bring these robust, aspirational stories to life to help the next generation of leaders.”

In addition to the success of “The World Is Yours” project for the REVOLT Summit x AT&T, Richie continues to celebrate the outstanding success of her award-winning short film entitled “Gateway” in partnership with Choices Matter, a national movement designed to educate and empower patients to discuss non-opioid options for managing pain after surgery. Launched at the end of 2019, “Gateway” is “a story of how surgery and opioids transformed the lives of three families.” To date, the film has garnered over 30 awards and nominations at film festivals and award ceremonies across the U.S. The film positioned Richie as a spokesperson and thought leader on this important topic. “Gateway” was most recently named a semi-finalist at the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIFF), which is an Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying festival. The film is screening at the La Femme International Film Festival this month, which is focused on platforming women filmmakers. www.gatewayfilm.com

“Dana directed ‘Gateway’ and it has been a life changing experience for me,” explains Jen Wysong, Peer Supervisor of Recovery in Motion. “The way in which Dana was able to capture the raw emotion of each story was captivating. I feel extremely blessed and grateful to have been able to work with such a talented Director.”

Beyond the success of “The World Is Yours” and “Gateway” this fall, Richie and Backlot are also at work on “Music First,” a scripted sitcom that is particularly personal for Dana. Inspired by her experience as a VH1 producer and off-air correspondent, the show centers around a music network newsroom in the early 2000s. Additionally, a recent Bayer Aspirin & American Stroke/Heart Association spot from Backlot recently garnered a Telly Gold Award.

Client: REVOLT Summit x AT&T

Project Title: “The World Is Yours”

Agency: Idlewild Experiential

Creative Director: Khalid Briggs

Music Producer: Scott Velasquez

Production Company: Backlot Productions

Writer/Director/Co-Executive Producer: Dana Richie

DP: Brendan Calder

Editorial Companies:

Backlot Productions

The Aunties

Idlewild Experiential

Editor: Jason Pachomski

About Director/Filmmaker Dana Richie:

Dana Richie doesn’t just tell stories — she brings them to life. And, she finds continuously innovative, boundary-breaking ways to do it. From documentaries to scripted series, to original branded content and beyond, Dana combines her visionary approach with her ability to cut straight to the beating heart of a story — whatever that may be — to create something entirely new, authentic, and ahead of the curve.

An award-winning filmmaker and producer, Dana honed her craft at the era’s most iconic news and entertainment networks, including CNN, ABC News 20/20, and Viacom/ VH1. That diverse background molded her into what she is today: a storytelling expert with a savvy for captivating, easy-to-consume media. 

Dana’s company Backlot Productions is the product of that expertise, as well as her intuitive understanding of content and where it is heading. A pioneer in both branded and original short-form content, nearly two decades later, Backlot continues to redefine how brands connect with their audiences. Landmark brands like SONY, Smartwater, Hennessy, L’Oréal, General Motors, Jeep, Refinery29, Yahoo!, Humana, Hulu and Hard Rock Café have sought out Backlot not just to shape their stories — but to do so in ever-more innovative, relevant and resonant ways.

Dana began her career at CNN in 1991. In the midst of the Gulf War and, concurrently, the network’s meteoric rise as a leader in cable news it was the perfect crash course in the chaos and excitement of news television. Two years later, upon the recommendation of her former CNN colleague, Catherine Crier who had departed for ABC, Dana was brought on as an assistant producer for ABC News “20/20.” Dana’s fearless work in the investigative unit at “20/20” won several awards, including a Cine Golden Eagle and a Genesis Award from the Humane Society, as well as a Peabody Award, earned collectively. While there, she also worked closely with Barbara Walters, who became a mentor to her and helped hone her interview skills.

Dana carried those skills with her into the entertainment world. She joined Viacom/ VH1 in 1999, spearheading News Series, Specials for the network, and running its Los Angeles office for their New York headquarters . Dana’s role at VH1 was expansive: She helped launch flagship programming such as “I Love the 80s,” “I Love the 90s,” “Best Week Ever,” and “Where are They Now” — while simultaneously working on “Behind the Music,” the network’s groundbreaking and critically-acclaimed documentary series.

Dana was also VH1’s Red Carpet correspondent, covering “The Oscars,” “The Grammys,” and other major award shows. She interviewed the biggest names in film and music as well, going on-set for movie and music video shoots, and creating highlight packages that engaged fans. When Dana started Backlot Productions in 2002 it was a side project. Having been in the business of creating digestible content and programming for so many years, Dana was able to foresee the untapped potential in that category for brands.... What she didn’t foresee was how rapidly her client base would grow through referrals, networking and word-of- mouth.

Today, a fully integrated content agency, Backlot spans entertainment marketing, branded content, reality show sizzles and scripted sitcoms. Taking a 360-approach to content creation, every project is both authentic and results-driven — tailored to the client’s unique voice, demographics, and goals.

The kind of content Dana and Backlot create continues to evolve: In 2019, she tackled her largest-scale project to date — “Gateway.” Dana’s directorial debut film, “Gateway” follows three families inadvertently ravaged by opioid addiction. Showcasing the perils of prescription pain management after surgery, the film underscores the human cost of the opioid epidemic.

“Gateway,” which Dana directed, wrote and co-executive produced, debuted to immediate impact, winning the Festigious LA International Film Festival’s “Best Documentary Short” and “Best Director” awards. It’s also in current competition at the Impact DOCS Awards with official selection and also in the Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Dana stays centered with yoga and meditation, and throughout her nearly three decades in the industry, she’s developed a mantra of her own: “Keep Going.” Those two words have guided her success as a journalist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur — and they continue to drive her forward as she, and her company continues to evolve.

About Backlot:

Backlot Productions & Creative is a hybrid digital creative agency + production company producting fresh, original and unique programming for your brand or entertainment property that suits your creative needs. Collaborators who believe in teamwork, we are an extension of our clients, and never forget that. Together, we’ll tell your unique story and grown your brand through customized, shareable content. www.backlotproductions.com