Meet the Paramount President of Post-Production & Innovation: Stephanie Ito

If you want to work in post-production, you must watch this episode. You'll gain knowledge & get insider tips to help you launch your career in any position.

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“Coffee with KP” is my version of a talkshow/podcast, where industry professionals share their backstory, answer questions from my class and offer up career advice. Upgrade your subscription ($8/mo) to get access to this episode and all previously released.

Continuing our Coffee with KP: Covid Collection series, today we’re talking to Stephanie Ito, President of Post-Production & Innovation at Paramount Pictures. I met Stephanie at a casual Sunday dinner at a mutual bestie’s house. There were 5 of us there and I was fascinated by her story, strength and candor of all things Hollywood. Plus, she didn’t graduate from college, and I wanted to know how she was able break through the “paper ceiling” and become the first woman to head up post at a major studio without a diploma. Frankly, I think a college degree in entertainment is unnecessary and hope that big media companies drop it as a requirement in the future. At the time of this recording, Stephanie had just left Paramount. She returned to her post with a promotion in responsibilities and title (see THR article here.)

Stephanie is from Diamond Bar, CA and attended San Francisco State University originally wanting to go into clinical psychology. She never completed her degree, but rather took a job labeling VHS tapes. Two years later, that summer job turned into a managerial position, which then led her to her first industry role as a Post-Production Assistant at National Geographic TV. Now, in 2024, Stephanie oversees all post-production and editorial needs for Paramount Pictures’ theatrical and streaming titles, including Mission: Impossible, the Transformers and Star Trek franchises, The Wolf of Wall Street, A Quiet Place, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Big Short, Interstellar, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and many more.

In this episode of “Coffee with KP,” you’ll learn how to keep your composure when working with your idols (yes, she is on a first name basis with Steven, Marty and Michael….as in Bay!,) how much editors are paid per week on a film (it starts at $4K a week and the top end of that will shock you!) and how to get the most out of your PA job (yes, details like getting correct names on coffee, reporting correct milage and knowing who to contact for whatever is needed MATERS!)

Upgrade your subscription to paid below and unlock this 1-hour group informational meeting with Stephanie Ito and get access to all previously released episodes of “Coffee with KP.”