Women in Production & Post: Closing the Gender Gap

Co-producer, Outlander

Elicia Bessette is a WIN- and VES-nominated post producer based in Los Angeles. Her credits include Warner Bros. Gilmore Girls, TNT’s Raising the Bar, Showtime’s The Big C and Netflix’s The Get Down. Elicia is currently post-producing her fourth season of Starz’s hit series Outlander. She received her BFA in film and television from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

Vice President and Head of Music Licensing for Universal Music Group’s Killer Tracks Production Music Library

Anna Maria Hall is Vice President and Head of Music Licensing for Universal Music Group’s Killer Tracks Production Music Library. Killer Tracks is a leading provider of music for use in film, television, advertising and interactive media. Since joining Universal in 2009, Anna Maria and her team have negotiated millions in music licensing agreements with companies such as Disney, Fox, ESPN, Turner Networks, Google, Defy Media, Activision, Nike, AT&T, Ogilvy and Mather, Comcast, Fox, NBC and CBS. Under her leadership, Killer Tracks landed licensing deals for the Theme Song to HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and the signature advertising campaign “December to Remember” for Lexus. Anna Maria’s passion for music began at a young age as she pursued playing the guitar, piano and singing. She received her undergraduate degree in Marketing with a minor in Film & TV from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Markets Video Editor, Live Nation Entertainment

One life-changing elective course and an Indiana University degree later, Hillary was obsessed with the world of video. After freelancing as a Production Assistant on set for big-name clients (NFL Films, Crown Royal, Verizon Wireless, Chase Bank, to name a few), she landed her first gig as Markets Video Editor for Live Nation Entertainment. Cutting and splicing in a fast-paced environment, she quickly mastered the creation of short-form commercial edits and motion graphics for Live Nation artist tours around the world, while constantly developing a deep knowledge of broadcast, social media, and in-venue content for national and international delivery. In her spare time she produces and edits video for small corporations and non-profits, and recently created the animated show opener for the 2017 SMPTE Annual Awards Gala. She is also a proud member and volunteer of the Blue Collar Post Collective, a non-profit grassroots initiative supporting emerging talent in post production.

Workflow Producer, Sim Digital International

Payton List, a LA-based Chicago native, is currently the Workflow Producer for Sim Post Los Angeles. In this role, she manages the technical aspects of all dailies work that passes through the LA office while collaborating with Sim producers across North America. This includes communicating with clients from production and post production, managing a team of Workflow Supervisors in creating streamlined digital color pipelines and data management workflows, and assisting with advanced technical support issues and escalated client services needs. Her vast credits include The Leftovers, Dominion, The Son, and Teen Wolf, and her work has brought her all over the world to provide on-the-ground workflow support in countries like Japan and South Africa. Payton graduated with a degree in cinema from Southern Illinois University before stepping into the medical field to explore life as a doctor. Ultimately she followed her true passion for film and television, working her way up in the industry from the camera department. This unique experience managing life or death — combined with her strong interest in travel and adventure sports like backpacking and trail running—means she’s always up for a challenge.

President & CEO, Cartoni

Elisabetta Cartoni heads the Rome-based company that is an industry leader in professional camera support systems. CARTONI (S.p.A.) is a family run company founded in 1935 by Elisabetta’s grandfather, Renato Cartoni, Director of Italy’s State Institute of Cinematography. Her father, Guido Cartoni led the company for more than four decades, and bolstered it into an industry leader. Since 1990, under Elisabetta’s guidance, the company continues to grow through a tradition of innovative design. It currently holds more than 35 patents for camera support technology and enjoys an international reputation for reliability, performance and engineering excellence. Her commitment to supplying the world’s cinematographers with forward-looking technology has helped to fortify CARTONI’s place in the Hollywood community.

Emmy^®-Winning Camera Operator

Deena Sheldon has been top broadcast camera operator for 36 years. She is a member of NBC’s Sunday Night Football crew and has worked 11 Super Bowls, as well as seven presidential inaugurations, the World Series, the Olympics and the presidential debates. She is the co-inventor of the RoverCam® and AquaCam and served as Co-Vice President, Sports & Entertainment for the Cameron | Pace Group. Sheldon has also produced eight 3D feature films including Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, Jonas Brothers: the 3D Concert Experience and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. Outside her profession, she is a past United States Champion for the Ballroom Formation Team, Pro/Am Division.