Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hale-Rieckhoff.

Hi Lauren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

My first job out of school started as an unpaid internship—at first.

During my senior year of college, I interned in the Casting Department at Kaufman Astoria Studios, working on the CBS remake of The Cosby Show. I fell in love with the process—seeing firsthand how a single role could shape an entire scene, how chemistry could make or break a moment, and how the right person walking into a room could change everything. I knew I wanted to stay in casting, but I had no idea how to break in.

So, armed with a copy of The Village Voice, I hopped on the subway in the spring of 2000 and headed downtown to an open casting call HBO was hosting for Sex and the City extras. But I wasn’t there to audition. I scanned the room, searching for the Background Casting Director, and when I spotted her, I made my way to her side.

She barely had time to glance up before I launched into my pitch:

“Hi—my name is Lauren Hale, and uh I’m not here to audition. I want to work for you. For free! I bartend nights and weekends, so I can intern during the day, no problem. I’d love to learn from you and help in any way you need. I love what you do for a living!”

I nervously bit my lower lip as she gave me a quick once-over, then smiled. Without hesitation, she scribbled a number on the back page of my Village Voice and handed it back.

“Call me Monday.”

I walked out of that room, heart pounding, elated by the possibilities ahead.

On Monday, she invited me to Silvercup Studios in Long Island City to start sorting headshots for the first episode of Season Three.

I was in and I loved everything about it—the subway ride out to Queens, the security guard out front who told me stories about The Sopranos cast filming next door, the thrill of walking down the halls and hearing producers chatting excitedly with the cast about potential storylines. I never wanted to leave the soundstage, especially on filming days when the scripts were brought to life – sometimes we’d shoot 18 hr days, but I never got tired of the pace.

And perhaps best of all, that unpaid internship turned into my first paid job in the entertainment industry just three weeks later when the Casting Assistant moved to LA and there was a scramble to replace him. It was the ultimate example of the universe working its magic—right place, right time. My name ran in the credits after every episode for the next three seasons “Lauren Hale – Extras Casting Associate”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

It’s been anything but smooth—a big, jumbly mess of peaks and valleys, twists and turns, and the occasional head-on collision.

But I’ve always believed that complacency is the enemy. I thrive on the thrill of taking risks, trying new challenges, and figuring out where I find the most satisfaction. Some of those leaps paid off in incredible ways—like when I accepted a role at Creative Artists Agency and spent the next fourteen years as an Agent. I learned the ins and outs of the industry during that time, created lifelong relationships with clients and colleagues, and discovered I loved negotiating a contract more than reading a script. It was a time of growth and self-discovery, and I am grateful for all of it.

Other professional leaps? Not so much.

In 2016, I left my stable career at CAA to take a chance on a start-up, jumping in without doing enough due diligence. That was a disaster—I left in less than three months. But from that misstep came something new: I co-founded a consultancy dedicated to advising thought leaders on partnerships and activations that would embed them firmly in the cultural zeitgeist. I had the autonomy to work with the clients I wanted, and to focus on the parts of the business I found most rewarding.

After seven-plus years of that, I felt hollywood pulling me back. So, once again, I jumped—this time, to focus on becoming a Producer. All those years ago, in the hallways of Silvercup Studios, I would quietly study the producers on the show. I was in awe of their ability to juggle countless balls in the air, and never show an ounce of doubt. I looked at them as the CEOs of the show, holding all the pieces of the puzzle together effortlessly to produce something brilliant. My new company, ANDIAMO, is the umbrella under which all future films/content will be produced. Andiamo is Italian for “let’s go” — and when I heard the universe whispering it over and over, I knew I had to leap.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

ANDIAMO — not just a word, but a guiding principle. The umbrella under which Andiamo Pictures and Andiamo Collective live. A call to action, for all of us who dare to dream a little bigger, take risks, and move boldly forward. LET’S GO. A

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenhalerieckhoff/
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1057448?ref_=hm_prof_photo