By Catherine Woo
Welcome to NYWIFT, Lauren Cooper!
Lauren brings over a decade of expertise in content creation, event production, financial management, as well as production and post-production oversight. She has worked on scripted and non-scripted series, documentaries, animation, and live broadcasts for major networks such as ABC, NBC, MTV, CBS, Disney+, Amazon Prime, OLN, SYFY, and Discovery UK. She owns her own production company, Elle Bee & Co.
Lauren shares her advice, approach to telling challenging stories, and more with us here!

NYWIFT Member Lauren Cooper
What brings you to NYWIFT?
NYWIFT’s vibrant community and its reputation for bringing together industry peers is what caught my attention. With over a decade of experience managing productions, leading teams, and ensuring successful outcomes, I’m excited about the chance to connect with fellow professionals who share my passion. NYWIFT’s collaborative and supportive environment seems like the perfect place to both share my insights and continue learning from others, while also having a great time doing it!
As of today, what are some of your career highlights? Can you tell us about some of your happiest moments or biggest challenges?
Some of my career highlights include managing the successful delivery of projects to major platforms like Hulu, Amazon, Peacock, and Netflix. Seeing projects I’ve worked on reach a larger audience and tell stories that haven’t been told is a big career highlight for me.
Among my happiest moments are when I led a team to establish the PR/Production department at a local school, creating a foundation for future success. Another source of satisfaction is mentoring newcomers in the industry and witnessing their growth.
Of course, every journey has its challenges. A notable one was managing projects with demanding turnaround times. Overcoming these hurdles required close coordination, adaptive thinking, and strong leadership to ensure not only meeting deadlines but also maintaining high-quality results.
Overall, my career has been a blend of accomplishments, learning experiences, and moments of pride that have shaped me into a versatile and effective professional in production management.
What is a day in your life like?
My day is a lively mix of managing projects in the entertainment industry while embracing the wonderful chaos of being a working mom. I kick things off by getting my kids ready for the day, and then it’s all about diving into budgets, timelines, and team coordination.
Balancing work and family means wearing many hats, but I’ve found ways to make it work. Afternoons are dedicated to my kids’ activities, and evenings are divided by catching up on work and spending quality time with my husband. It’s a constant juggle, but I’ve learned to navigate it with effective time management and a healthy dose of flexibility. It’s rewarding, challenging, and keeps me on my toes in the best way possible.
If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?
If I could chat with my younger self, I’d definitely say, “Hey, don’t be afraid to dive into the unknown and take risks!” I’d remind myself that those moments of uncertainty and stepping out of my comfort zone are where the real growth happens. It might feel daunting, but trust me, you’ve got this!
Life’s a journey of constant learning, and it’s okay to stumble along the way. The setbacks and challenges? They’re just pit stops on the road to success. So, keep pushing forward, and believe in yourself. You’re capable of way more than you think, and those moments of doubt? They’re just steppingstones to your achievements. Embrace the excitement of the journey, and remember, you’re stronger and more resilient than you realize.

Lauren Cooper on the set of Soon By You
As a producer, what types of stories are most exciting to you?
As a producer, I find great excitement in narratives that amplify the voices of individuals often overlooked in the realm of films and movies. It’s a driving passion for me to ensure that our storytelling landscape is inclusive and reflective of the diversity that exists in our world.
I am drawn to stories that remain untold, that shine a light on cultures, perspectives, and experiences that haven’t received adequate representation. This commitment to showcasing a broader spectrum of narratives speaks to the heart of what I believe cinema can achieve – fostering empathy, understanding, and unity through storytelling. Thus, my enthusiasm lies in championing stories that challenge conventions and amplify the narratives of the underrepresented.
You worked on Dove’s short film Selfie, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Can you tell us about this experience?
Working on Dove’s short film and having it premiere at the Sundance Film Festival was an incredible experience. Having this project showcased there was a major achievement.
One of the standout aspects for me was getting the chance to work closely with an Academy Award winner Cynthia Wade, who served as my mentor for many years. Her insights, guidance, and hands-on experience really broadened my perspective on filmmaking.
The shoot itself was a whirlwind of creativity and collaboration. We had an amazing team that brought their A-game, and I think that energy translated directly into the final product. It was a fantastic experience that I’ll always cherish.

Lauren Cooper at a premiere
What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects that you’re excited about?
I’m really excited about what lies ahead. As a producer, I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities to learn, grow, and expand my horizons. I’m a firm believer that the industry is constantly evolving, so I’m focused on staying up-to-date with the latest processes and technologies that can enhance our storytelling.
In terms of projects, there’s a lot brewing that I can’t wait to dive into. Each project brings its own set of challenges and creative opportunities, and that’s what keeps me so motivated. From exploring different genres to collaborating with fresh voices, I’m all about seeking out projects that resonate with my passion for meaningful storytelling.
You can find Lauren and her work on her website www.laurenbcooper.com or LinkedIn.
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Lindsey Lambert
Lindsey Lambert is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker originally from Austin, Texas. She works as a location scout for film and television in the NYC area, currently on Law & Order: Organized Crime. After receiving her Master’s Degree in Human Rights from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the spring of 2022, she began directing and producing her debut feature documentary Teaching Social Studies about public school education and the anti-critical race theory laws in Texas. It is currently in production and she hopes the film will be completed by the summer of 2025. In our interview, she discusses her decision to go back to school, her work on the new Amazon Prime series Étoile, how to educate young people about our challenging history, and the most memorable location she's scouted to date.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Melanie Fox
Let's give a warm welcome to new NYWIFT member, Melanie Fox! Melanie Fox is a linguist who turned her passion for accents, dialects, presentations, and language learning into a thriving coaching business. Melanie empowers actors and public figures to speak clear, confident English through accent reduction, interview and presentation training. She also trains actors to master authentic English and Spanish dialects. She is a paid public speaker who helps her audiences "Hack into Language" and hosts a new podcast, "Hack That Accent." Melanie holds a Masters of Science degree in Linguistics from Georgetown University. She credits a lot of her inspiration to two semesters studying abroad at la Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. In our interview, she discusses how her work as a dialect coach spans multiple industries, her coaching success stories, and how she encourages clients to maintain their cultural authenticity while adjusting their presentation to match their business goals.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Amanda Deering Jones
Welcome to NYWIFT, Amanda Deering Jones! Amanda Deering Jones is the director of the new short film Little Mother Lies. She is also the Producer of the Academy Award-nominated animated short film Borrowed Time. She has over 20 years of experience working with Dreamworks Animation and Blue Sky Studios and is currently at Pixar. Her career began in Cooperstown, NY, as House Manager at Glimmerglass Opera before transitioning to film. Amanda is a zero-waste advocate and a published writer for the Producer’s Guild Magazine. She is an active member of the Producers Guild of America, Women in Film, Women in Animation, a Governor of the Emmy’s Northwest Chapter Board, and now a NYWIFT member. Amanda discusses her theatrical roots, getting into animation (without drawing!), and how she creates work that elevates our thinking and highlights the complexities of being human!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member Sydney Giacomazzi
Sydney Giacomazzi is a writer and producer re-cultivating her Idaho roots in Brooklyn, NY. Her pilot script, Hidden Springs placed 2nd at the 2022 Shore Scripts Pilot Competition. It was also featured on Coverfly’s RedList, landing in the top 20 and top 1% for all TV half-hour pilots. Starved, her debut as a director, was nominated for “Best Original Story” at Cannes Shorts and won “Best Experimental Film” at the New York Short Film Festival. When she’s not writing, Sydney spends her time worrying about how she’s not writing. She calms her angst by people watching over a plate of diner pancakes. Get to know her in our latest interview!
READ MORE
Comments are closed