By Daryl Bright Clay and Lily Hutcheson
Welcome to NYWIFT, Rita Marcocci!
Rita Marcocci is founder of Verus Studios, LLC a female-owned, award-winning production studio based in Westport, CT. She is a former executive at FOX Television with an accomplished background in revenue growth and strategic partnerships.
Her most recent project, the Oscar- and BAFTA-shortlisted film The One Note Man, is currently available on Amazon Prime.
Next up is a short film collaboration with award winning director, Daniel Deville and the Oscar-winning team at Slick Films.
Rita brings a strategic perspective to projects, offering a full understanding of successful operational knowledge as well as diverse, hands-on experience in the entertainment industry.
In our interview, Rita discusses her current projects and the process of running Versus Studios!
NYWIFT Member Rita Marcocci
What inspired you to start Verus Studios, and how did your background in television contribute to your journey as an entrepreneur?
I was inspired to start my own company because there are so many compelling stories to tell. I really wanted a content studio to demonstrate the power of female creatives and the voices we can bring to the industry.
After spending 20 years at FOX Television, working my way up the ranks to become a Vice President really taught me the power of perseverance and believing in yourself.
I am a first-generation American. Both of my parents were immigrants and became US citizens as soon as they could. Those generational roots of hard work always pushed me to become the best version of myself.
Making it in NYC is not easy. To rise and become an executive at one of the largest media companies in the world was so rewarding. I learned a lot about business, managing personnel, capturing revenue and how to build a team that collaborates for a common goal. Those experiences prepared me for the enormous challenges of being an entrepreneur.
Rita Marcocci at the Palm Springs Film Festival
What brought you to NYWIFT?
I attended a NYWIFT conference in the Fall of 2024 and really connected with the topics and the people. It was very inspiring. Making industry connections is so important and NYWIFT provides those opportunities.
As a filmmaker and producer, it’s important to have a community where like‑minded creatives come together to share knowledge, elevate each other’s work, and advocate for real change—and NYWIFT embodies exactly that.
Rita Marcocci at the Boulder International Film Festival
The Verus Studios’ website mentions engaging and inspiring global audiences. Can you talk about how Verus Studios tailors content for diverse, worldwide viewers while staying true to authentic storytelling?
Our commitment to authentic storytelling begins with a deep respect for the human experience. We ask fundamental questions: Is there emotional truth at the heart of this story? Does it resonate? We want the audience to feel something genuine, something lasting.
Also, collaborating with international partners has been so fulfilling. For example, we have a current project from a brilliant BIPOC writer/director in the UK…it’s been so rewarding to participate in bringing his vision to life. This particular project also has a mental health awareness message and we intend to utilize the film to support the awareness aspect.
Rita Marcocci’s short film, One Note Man
Your Oscar & BAFTA shortlisted film, The One Note Man is an excellent example of Verus Studios’ commitment to authentic storytelling. How do you ensure that every project, from micro-documentaries to feature films, stays true to this commitment, and how do you decide which stories are worth telling?
To ensure authenticity remains our guiding principle, we embed three key components into every project:
Empathy/Compassion in Development:We spend time with the script, our collaborators, and our characters. This supports avoiding stereotypes and finding the nuances that make each story unique.
Purpose in Execution: From cinematography to production design and editing, we make deliberate creative choices that serve the emotional core of the story and ultimately the audiences. We also want to utilize the content we create to move important conversations forward. We don’t step into a project just to win awards, we want to move audiences and encourage conversations.
Curated Story Selection: We choose stories that ask questions, challenge perspectives, have a unique style or reveal something essential about the human condition. We seek narratives with purpose—stories that move us personally and feel universally relevant.
Ultimately, we believe authenticity is what makes a story timeless. If we can walk away from a project knowing it was told with integrity and care, we know we’ve honored our mission.
Rita Marcocci and the team for One Note Man at a screening
How do you see Verus Studios continuing to grow, and what role do you hope to play in shaping the future of the production industry?
Growth for us means selecting the right projects and collaborating with unique, authentic creatives. I’ve had several scripts come my way and while it would be easy to have “a lot in the pipeline” for development, if the stories don’t resonate and aren’t interesting, it’s a pass.
As far as shaping the future, I believe maintaining ownership (in some capacity) of the content and facilitating some aspects of the distribution of that content is extremely important for an independent company to grow revenue and expand opportunities.
Rita Marcocci
What advice would you give to other women looking to break into the content production industry?
Stay true to your voice and your vision. There’s so much competition out there with everyone trying to stand out in some unique way.
I believe in standing up for your company mission. It’s impossible to be all things to all audiences…find your path and stay on it.
Define your brand and make sure all projects are aligned with that vision. Also, define your success by the impact of your work, your creative fulfillment, and your ability to stay true to your values.
Connect with Rita on Instagram @ritamarcocci and @verus_studios, and at www.verus-studios.com.
(All images courtesy of Rita Marcocci)
Daryl Bright Clay and Lily Hutcheson
Daryl Bright Clay (She/Her) is a multidisciplinary artist: a producer, writer, and performing artist. Yes, she actually does wear multiple hats (or hairstyles) depending on the vibes. Hailing from the DC Metropolitan Area has helped contribute to her love of cultural storytelling mixed with a dash of wit and a lot of heart.
As a founding member of CNT Productions, she has helped write, produce, and star in CNT Production's sketch comedy series NOT YOUR TYPE , their live interactive show, THE SEX SCENE, and their choreopoem series OPEN, which has been featured in AFROPUNK, DEADLINE, and Gloria Steinem’s Ms. Magazine. With CNT partner, Ariel Zucker, she co-wrote a pilot called, GYNO, which was accepted to Gotham’s 2022 TV Film Lab & Project Market.
Daryl was the production associate on APPLE TV+’s The Supermodels. She was also the showrunner’s assistant to Branden Jacobs Jenkins, who adapted Octavia Butler’s Kindred for FX/HULU. Her contributions have been recognized by HBO, the American Black Film Festival, AT&T’s Awards for New Forms of Storytelling, and Sundance’s Horizon Awards. Much of Daryl’s work is rooted in encouraging self-love, acknowledging self-hate, and finding connection in the paradox of it all. Upcoming projects include the Sundance official selection, GOODNIGHT, starring Dagmara Dominczyk (HBO’s Succession), and GET LOST directed by Victoria Pedretti (Netflix’s You).Currently based in Brooklyn, Daryl is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama. She is represented by Stalwart Talent Management.
Lily Hutcheson is an intern at NYWIFT and a student at Princeton University, where she is studying English and creative writing. She grew up in Vermont, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs. She loves film, television, and theater, and especially enjoys writing and directing. She hopes to continue exploring these interests post-graduation, and is excited to be a part of the NYWIFT community!
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