Veronica Beach
*Please note that this episode contains a very candid discussion on trauma, depression, and sexual abuse that begins around the 40 minute mark.
Veronica Beach is the Head of Production at Pereira O’Dell, a bi-coastal ad agency with offices in SF and NY.
She has over 20 years of producing experience, specializing in Advertising Production. She has produced some of the most viewed and famous campaigns historically over her career as well as won over 100 Cannes Lions and other multiple awards.
She came into my life in 2013 when I was raising finishing funds for my feature documentary, AUTISM IN LOVE. The subject touched her so deeply she corralled all of her industry contacts to help us raise a huge chunk of money to finish the film. She was one of those angels that was put on my path and helped me stay the course on what became my first feature producing credit.
Pretty cool, right?
At the time of our intersection, Veronica was at DAVID The Agency where she was a founding member and Global Head of Production for over 8 years. This stint challenged her on many fronts including a move to Sao Paulo, Brazil to open the offices in South America, learning Portuguese, and deepening her understanding of culture in LATAM.
In June of 2020 in the midst of a pandemic, Veronica re-launched, poolhouse a platform for Producers to connect, share information, resources, find jobs, and much more to come. Currently, they have over 3,000 followers on IG and over 750 producers on the platform.
Veronica destigmatizes mental health issues in the entertainment industry by sharing her own struggles with trauma and depression. She speaks with openness and authenticity on how her mental health impacted her life and career, and how dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helped her heal.
If you are struggling with your mental health there is no shame in getting help. Visit MakeItOK.org to get resources, tips for talking about mental health, and more. If you or anyone you know is struggling, there's help available, any time. It's free and you'll reach a trained volunteer.
You can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HOME to 741-741, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Show Quotes:
“I was like nine years old, writing treatments. And I was drawing out who each character was and no one told me to do that. I was just like, I'm writing a movie in my head at night because I don't want to go to sleep.” 2:46
“Most agency producers are very creative and/or should be just because they need to have creative solutions.” 18:04
“I have failed. Believe me, I failed with my first company, I fail on a lot of things. But I'm not afraid to fail.” 33:51