a weekly art and business newsletter about navigating a creative career… written by someone *trying* to do just that. A raw, real-time look at creativity, business, and learning on the job.
Most people write their memoirs toward the end of their careers after scaling the heights of incredible, undeniable, unfathomable success.
I’m the idiot who decided to write about the journey as I go, whether or not I make it. Scabs and all.
New letters drop every week-ish.
WHO ARE YOU?
I’m Paola Mardo.
I am a writer and producer who has spent over a decade working in film and audio. I have worked at a big movie studio and top production companies. Perhaps most notably, I created and hosted a podcast and short doc series called Long Distance. Throughout my career, I have navigated terrain so new that there are no models for success and there is very little support. I’ve built things, burnt out, and learned how to find opportunity in chaos.
WHAT IS SUBTITLES ABOUT?
Per the above, this is an art and business newsletter about navigating a creative career. Yes, I have a day job at a Hollywood production company but I won’t be writing about that.
I’ll be writing about my unconventional path as a creative and executive, and what it’s like to have to open your own doors and bulldoze your way through.
This includes stories, reflections, and somewhat hot takes on building a life and career at the intersection of creativity and business. I’ll also include helpful links and recommendations, including cool things in and around Los Angeles, where I am based.
This is the thing I wish I had when I was starting out or the mentor I wish I could call on for some fresh perspective or advice.
That said, my journey is still in-progress. I do not have all the answers and I am by no means an expert. I’m an outsider who somehow (barely) made it inside.
I am taking big swings and I could totally fail. But if the industry is on fire anyway, why not try, right?
Maybe my transparency will help you on your own journey, or at least make for a good laugh or read. I hope that this also reminds me to continue to create things I love and I’m proud of — even if it’s just things for me, even if it’s hard to keep going, even if that tiny voice keeps telling me I’m not good enough. Because, actually, I am.
You are too.
IS THIS FREE?
This newsletter will be free while I get the hang of this and figure out what this is as it evolves.
At some point, there will be paid subscriptions to help pay for this work and related projects and offerings. More on that later.
If you’d like to go ahead and pledge a subscription now, you can do so on the subscription page. I really appreciate it.
WHY IS THIS CALLED SUBTITLES?
A couple reasons.
First of all, it’s a reference to film, my first love and the thing I will always come back to no matter what I do (and even though I tried to leave it — that’s for a later post). When I studied film in college, I gravitated towards international film, many of them with words on the screen. They inspired me to make art that is beautiful, honest, and subversive. (See: works by Godard, Brocka, Cuaron.) I also love how subtitles can do so much — tell you what’s going on or what is being said, give context, or add comedy or even irony to a scene. I hope this newsletter does that in some way.
Second, there’s the very loose connection to the idea of titles as in job titles. If you didn’t already know, titles are bullshit. Let’s subvert them here.
Finally, I just kinda like it. It might change or not. We’ll see!
Thanks for reading and for your support.
Tell a cool friend if you can. See you in your inbox soon.
— PM
