We recently connected with Greg Donis and have shared our conversation below.
GREG, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
There’s been a few projects that have meant a lot to me… from my first directing credit airing on FOX Kids, Beast Machines: Transformers, to the Universal Pictures theatrical release, Bisping: The Michael Bisping Story. However, one project in particular really sticks out and is close to my heart. It’s the 2-part series OJ Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder. Currently streaming around the world on AMC Networks and Peacock here in the U.S..
The story goes…
First, I enjoy true crime series and second… I followed the case while attending College in San Francisco, to the point of skipping class to watch it live on television. The dramatic coverage and high stakes pulled me in and to this day I love working on projects that have drama and high stakes.
Fast forward a few decades…
A friend invited me to their parents house for Thanksgiving, while having dinner, there was an older gentleman at the table who I recognized but couldn’t put my finger on it. From time to time he would tug his ear and had this amazing ability to tell stories. His name was Ron Masak, an American actor best known for playing the Sheriff on Murder She Wrote with Angela Lansbury. Going back in time, as a young boy, my Grandma and I would watch episode after episode of the series. I found myself sitting right there, talking to the man I grew up watching on TV. And about the tugging of the ear… that was his ‘thing’ on the show. That evening I not only walked out with an autographed book and an original name plate from the series, but a new friend. We had so much in common, especially the love of the arts…
Days later we met for breakfast and soon became good friends. It was during one of these hangouts I asked Ron, “Do you know of any rock star detectives?” He cocked his head and chuckled “Why young lad…” Turns out he was good friends with Tom Lange, the lead detective for the OJ Simpson investigation. Wow! That’s all I was thinking….’Amazing’. He then made a call and a few days later I was sitting with both he and Tom at a local Los Angles 50’s diner. I couldn’t get a word in between the both of them telling story after story after story…. This moment was truly incredible.
It was clear Tom was still bothered decades later by the verdict of the trial. After all, multiple pieces of evidence were dismissed, the defence told blatant lies and there was major chaos amongst the prosecution team as it was well-known they despised the LAPD at that time – refusing to call to action many pieces of evidence because of this. Remember, OJ Simpson’s double murder trial wasn’t long after the Rodney King judgement.
After coming up with concept that was a new take on an old case, we decided to start pitching to multiple Networks. My goal was to sell the program but also give Tom a platform to tell his story thru his own lens. After all, this wasn’t going to be mimicking a comic book of false narratives and the story surely wasn’t about to be whitewashed.
Pitching came with multiple highs and lows, from Networks questioning if the evidence dismissed was for ‘real’ or coming from a disgruntled and grizzled detective. I was then able to bring others onboard to help Tom tell his story from the LADP lab director to the limo drive and finally the most famous house guest in America – Kato Kaelin. It would be the first time all of the ‘players’ would have the opportunity to tell their story – together, one room, one investigation.
Networks were showing interest, however, we still didn’t have enough to get the project to the finish line and greenlit. Through extensive research, dozens of phone calls and in person meetings… I was able to recruit Rod Englert. A legend in his own right… known worldwide, this former FBI agent switched gears and was hired on by Marcia Clarke to help the prosecution put OJ behind bars. As I sat in his Portland home, reviewing his work, it became very apparent there was no other killer… the amount of evidence was overwhelming. Rod looks over at me and says “Greg, OJ’s Bronco didn’t just have a few spots of blood as the public and jurors were shown – “It lit up like a Christmas Tree…Blood everywhere.” My eyebrows rose and I squirmed in my seat – excited at what I was looking at and hearing. Videos, photos, diagrams and story after story of what went on behind the scenes.
I questioned Rod why much of the evidence wasn’t shown in court. I asked Tom the same question… it was only a few weeks after reviewing these materials that we got the green light and went straight into production! Check the series out for yourself and find out why key evidence was dismissed by the prosecution and the judge for that matter. PS: Rod’s findings were never used by Marcia and team, this alone is a huge point of interest. I can guarantee you’ll enjoy this roller coaster of a ride.
The battle to get this project greenlit was a testament of our ‘never give up’ attitude. Whether it was proving to Network Executives that we have in our possession never before seen evidence and a story that’s been silent since the verdict was heard around the world. And then there was Covid…. We had major interest a week before the Covid shutdown, ending any momentum to receiving news that we’ve been given the greenlight with the shutdown ending. It seemed like an eternity but we were now being given the opportunity to tell this once in a lifetime story – the right way and only way. Through the lens of the lead detective, his team of investigators and witness’.
Doing good by Tom was the ultimate primer with getting this project sold! It’s been great reading the positive reviews and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the program.
OJ Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder
Streaming on Peacock (Domestic) & AMC Network (Internationally)
Link
https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/tv/o.j.-simpson-blood-lies-and-murder/77df1fc3-a37d-3861-84de-8dce792c222b
GREG, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
First, I love the entertainment industry and being creative with others – seeing an idea on paper come alive is one of the most amazing feelings as a creative. I developed a passion for film and television at an early age, inspired by the vibrant entertainment culture of Hollywood. Over the years I’ve earned numerous accolades for my work including multiple nominations such as the prestigious Canadian Screen Award.
Something that’s never been lost is my foundation, allowing me not only to approach creative with an extremely open mind but understanding the business side as well. I pursued my dreams studying Fine Arts, Marketing, Graphic Design and Motion Pictures and Television with a variety of institutions from Grande Prairie Regional College to the University of Alberta to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I was hired as a TA and later interned with a variety of production companies within the bay Area.
24 years later I’ve helmed a variety of television production’s – both Domestically & Internationally. Holding both executive and creative positions, I was responsible for the creative oversight of industry firsts and award-winning | nominated programs. Delivering a variety of genres including docusoap, true crime, biography, social experiment, renovation, lifestyle, competition, video game titles, animation and feature documentaries. Credits include Discovery Channel, MotorTrend, FOX, HGTV, A&E, MTV, FYI, Reelz, ABC, Sony Pictures, Paramount +, Super Channel, Peacock and Universal Pictures among others.
Most recently I was credited with Concept By, Executive Producer, Producer, Director and Editor for the critically acclaimed true crime series O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder – currently streaming on Peacock and AMC Networks. Built around lead detective Tom Lange, renowned blood spatter expert and former FBI agent Rod Englert, limo driver Allan Park, Americas most infamous houseguest Kato Kaelin and former director of the LAPD crime lab Michelle Kessler. Tom Lange takes viewers through his never-before-seen 450-page case journal, gripping new evidence, photos and video kept from the trial and public.
My career dates back to the mid-90’s editing TV commercials for Caesars, MGM Grand, Circus Circus, Treasure Island, Rio among others. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s I received my first directing credit with the pioneer of CGI animation – Mainframe Entertainment. The production company was headed up by Christopher Brough, Gavin Blair and Phil Mitchel who created the ground-breaking music video “I Want My MTV” by Dire Straits. My first production with the company was Reboot, the first all-CGI animated television series, airing on ABC among 24 other countries around the world. The hit television series gathered multiple awards throughout the years including a WorldFest-Houston Gold Medal during its 47-episode run. With a diverse and long- standing following, Reboot has premiered on Hulu in the United States on September 20, 2022 and released internationally on Disney+. Becoming the 9th most streamed program across all platforms during the week of September 22, 2022.
During the five years with the Mainframe Entertainment, I made my directorial debut with the critically acclaimed and #1 rated animated television series, Transformers; Beast Machines for FOX Kids / Hasbro. The series had a unique style and narrative that garner attention worldwide, earning several awards and establishing my directing career. Following the success of the series I directed Action Man, airing on FOX Kids and co-produced & distributed by Saban Entertainment – followed by Sony’s International hit series Heavy Gear, originally airing on The WB and later distributed by Netflix. In 2001 I was hired by Electronic Arts as the creative producer for two of their hit gaming titles, NASCAR Thunder (2002) and Madden NFL (2002) featuring Minnesota Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper. Hired to revitalize game play, style and tone from the camera’s to original music to character animation and in game audio. Madden NFL became the highest selling sports title of the year.
During the mid 2000’s I ventured into unscripted programming, from the multi-episode series titled Bisping: Full Count featuring World UFC Champion Michael Bisping – a UFC first, to prominent events such as the immensely successful Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, with record viewership of 3.8 Billion – producing both the Biathlon and Cross-Country Ski events. During 2012 I had my first breakout project as a Creator, Showrunner, Director and Writer for a 6-part television series titled Livin’ Loud, airing on MTV.
In 2016 I was nominated for two Leo Awards for the A&E Network / Blue Ant Media series Cabin Truckers – Best Program & Direction in a Reality | Lifestyle Series. The 13-part series aired in 112 countries and was Blue Ant Media’s #3 best-selling series out of 284 programs. In 2013 I was nominated for the prestigious Canadian Screen Award – Best Direction (Reality | Lifestyle Series) for the Discovery Channel series Saw Dogs, topping the networks primetime average and the first to take viewers behind the high-stake world of master chainsaw carving.
The past few years I’ve put together a variety of Network programs from Showrunning & Directing MotorTrends first digital custom car series Under Pressure: 9K – following the high stake builds with SoCal custom shop, 9K Racing. Executive Producing Universal Pictures theatrical release, Bisping: The Michael Bisping Story, winning the 2021 Leo Award for Best Feature Length Documentary and now streaming on the Super Channel. Directing and Producing HGTV’s The 40 Year Old Property Virgin where first-time home buyers have overstayed their welcome with mom and dad and now in search of their forever home – if only it was that easy….
2024… Following the success of O.J. Simpson: Blood, Lies & Murder, I’ve been developing a number of projects from unscripted to scripted with a variety of companies. One of which, Electric Panda, who’ve produced a number of films from The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52, Executive Produced with Leonardo DiCaprio to the Sundance Grand Jury Prize Nominee The Kindergarten Teacher. Together we’ve developed a scripted TV series based on Vicky Hamilton’s memoir Appetite for Dysfunction. A Grammy Award winner for her work with June Carter, Vicky discovered and managed Guns N’ Roses, developed Motley Crue among others such as Poison – having over 250 million in record sales. Dan O’Keefe who’s writing credits included Seinfeld, Veep and Silicon Valley has been brought on to write the pilot.
Recently, I was part of the Executive Producing team for I Am Satoshi: The Battle for Bitcoin, produced by Electric Panda with Danny Trejo as the lead talent.
In addition to my work, I’ve helped foster new talent and a strong advocate for diversity within our industry both in front of and behind the camera.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The most significant resource hasn’t been books, essays or how to videos… Rather watching a ton of movies, television and people watching. I would study how film and television editors, directors and showrunners would build out their programs. Everything from trying to predict when the edits would happen to the shot they would cut too.
When I directed my first series titled Transformers: Beast Machines I prepared by watching Star Wars over and over again – they had multiple scenes with not only action but multiple character set-ups. After all, if you’ve never directed before, an 8-character setup can be daunting in terms of camera placement. During the early part of my career instead of going for beers with the crew, I would stay back and listen to the Showrunner and their team go through the following days set-up. This also included taking executive producers for lunch and picking their brain. Example… discussing what I would need to do as a young director and eventually sell my own concepts to Networks. By the time I was ready to take my career to the next level I was not only creatively ready but emotionally as well – this business is not easy or for the faint of heart. You will hear the word ‘no’ more times in a month than most people will in a lifetime. However, you have to keep moving forward and believing in your ability to crack the industry door open!
With all that said, we now have to go back to the 90’s for the next story that helped my career continue to move forward. I was in my last year of school when I was given a chance to meet a well-known director – I will leave his name out of the story, you will see why in a minute… hint, they directed one of the most popular Huey Lewis and The News music videos during the mid-eighties. Back to the story, I was fresh out of school and given an opportunity to introduce myself to the director of the band’s music video. I was excited and was fully prepared to introduce myself and ‘fingers crossed’ land a future editing job. Yeah, I was pretty naive at the time but full of confidence. Lucky or un-lucky for me, I showed up 10 minutes early and waited for the elevator to head up to the 8th floor. As the door opens, out comes a well-dressed guy, all Hollywood looking, I recognized him, he was the director I was to meet. Turns out, he had every intention to blow me off. Stopping him, I introduced myself when he then said, “you have 30 seconds”. Well..that meeting went nowhere. Looking back on the experience, I learned how to ‘not’ treat others looking for advice but also, a person never knows where those fresh in the industry will be 2, 5 or 10 years down the road..
The industry is built on ‘who you know’ rather than ‘talent’ (in general). And with that, I’ve always paid attention to those I worked for and how they worked with crew, dealing with both hurdles and success…and last but not least, how they approach narrative and execute it with both the time and budget allotted to the project.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
First,
The arts entertainment serve as a powerful medium and allow viewers to immerse themselves within different narratives and experiences – bringing friends, family and strangers together.
Second,
Go to the movies.
Go to the kitchen, make some popcorn and enjoy a television series.
Go to your local Broadway show.
Go to a bar and watch a pay-preview event.
Go buy your favorite band’s music and hit a concert up.
Third,
Without the financial support of those listening to music, watching television or movies… the likely hood of our industry surviving is nothing more than that of the 80’s calculator watch. All jokes aside, it’s true.
Fourth,
So, I ask…
Do you work for free?
Do you walk into a vehicle dealership and demand a free car?
Do you go to McDonalds, walk behind the counter and take cheese burger?
Do you go into a flower shop and walk out with a bundle of roses without paying?
Do you pay for your cell phone or demand free coverage?
The answer to all of the above is an easy one. Please support the arts as it’s an amazing way to escape our daily lives for a few hours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gregdonis.com
- Instagram: @gregdonis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdonisproducerdirectordevelopment/
- Other: IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2268087/
Image Credits
N/A