Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Emelianova. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Maria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
One of the most transformative experiences in my career came not from a major success, but from what initially seemed like a potential disaster. Early in my producing career, I was working on a commercial shoot in remote Karelia for a Finnish oil company. The project required multiple driving scenes with stunt elements, and we had secured a brand new car model that was central to every shot in our story.
On the first day of production, our stunt driver miscalculated the speed and crashed the car into a tree. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the vehicle was severely damaged. Being in a remote location with a tight schedule and budget, replacing the car was impossible – this specific model was nearly impossible to find in Karelia.
In that moment, I learned what I consider the most valuable lesson of my career: creativity thrives within constraints. Instead of panicking or calling off the shoot, our team had to completely reimagine our approach. Working closely with the director, we redesigned our shot list, using creative camera angles to hide the damaged side of the car. We replaced driving shots with innovative visual effects to create the illusion of movement while keeping the car stationary.
What started as a potential catastrophe transformed into an exercise in creative problem-solving. By the end of production, we had a commercial that looked authentic and professional – viewers would never know the challenges we faced behind the scenes.
This experience fundamentally changed my approach to production and entrepreneurship. I learned that success isn’t about avoiding problems but about how you respond to them. Sometimes, the constraints that seem to limit us actually push us to find more creative solutions.
I’ve carried this lesson throughout my career, whether I’m producing high-budget commercials, collaborating with AFI students on their thesis films, or running Tarkovsky Space, a community of over 1,000 creative professionals. Every challenge becomes an opportunity for innovation.
This mindset was particularly valuable when I moved to the United States and had to adapt to a new market and culture. Instead of seeing the differences as obstacles, I viewed them as creative constraints that could lead to unique opportunities. This approach ultimately led to the creation of Tarkovsky Space, which began as a solution to connect Russian-speaking creatives but evolved into a diverse, international community that enriches the Los Angeles creative landscape.
The lesson is simple but profound: don’t let perfect conditions be a prerequisite for creating something great. Some of our most innovative ideas emerge when we’re forced to think differently, to work around obstacles, to find new paths forward. In production, as in life, it’s not about having everything go perfectly – it’s about being resourceful, adaptable, and seeing opportunities where others might see roadblocks.
This mindset has not only helped me navigate the challenges of production but has become essential to my growth as a creative entrepreneur. It’s a reminder that limitations often aren’t endpoints but doorways to unexpected creative solutions.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My journey in production began in Moscow, where I studied at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK). However, my real education came from hands-on experience, starting with student films and gradually working my way up to managing large-scale international productions.
What truly sets me apart in this industry is my ability to bridge different cultural and creative worlds. Having produced over 100 commercials for global brands like McDonald’s, Nike, Netflix, and Ferrero Rocher, I’ve developed a unique perspective on how to create content that resonates across cultural boundaries. One of my proudest achievements was producing Ferrero Rocher’s “Another Sky” campaign, which garnered over 25 million views on YouTube and demonstrated how universal storytelling can transcend language and cultural barriers.
My work spans various formats and genres – from high-end commercials featuring stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Milla Jovovich to music videos for international artists like Luis Fonsi, and collaborations with American Film Institute students on their thesis films. Each project, regardless of scale, receives the same level of dedication and creative attention.
What I bring to each project is more than just technical production expertise. I see myself as a creative problem solver and bridge-builder. For clients, I solve the complex puzzle of bringing their vision to life while navigating the practical constraints of budget, time, and resources. My international experience allows me to bring fresh perspectives to projects and access global talent and resources that might not be immediately obvious to others.
One of my proudest achievements is founding Tarkovsky Space, a community of over 1,000 creative professionals in Los Angeles. What started as a platform to connect Russian-speaking creatives has evolved into a vibrant, international community that brings together diverse talents across film, tech, art, and various creative industries. Through this platform, we organize exclusive Q&A sessions, private screenings, and networking events that foster collaboration and innovation.
The mission behind my work, whether it’s producing a commercial or building creative communities, is to create connections – between ideas, people, and cultures. I believe that the best creative work happens when we break down silos and bring different perspectives together. This philosophy has been particularly valuable in Los Angeles, where the entertainment industry is increasingly global in its outlook.
What I want potential clients and collaborators to know is that I bring a unique combination of international experience, technical expertise, and creative vision to every project. I’m not just a producer who can execute a plan – I’m a creative partner who can help shape and elevate the vision while ensuring its practical realization.
I’m particularly proud of how I’ve managed to maintain creative integrity while working on commercial projects. Whether it’s a big-budget advertising campaign or an independent film, I always strive to find the human story at the heart of the project. This approach has not only led to commercial success but has also helped create content that genuinely resonates with audiences.
Currently, I’m excited about exploring new frontiers in production, particularly the intersection of traditional filmmaking with emerging technologies. I’m also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of producers and creating opportunities for diverse voices in the industry.
For me, success in this field isn’t just about completing projects – it’s about creating lasting impact, whether through the content we produce, the communities we build, or the opportunities we create for others. I believe that’s what sets my work apart: the combination of technical excellence, creative vision, and a commitment to building bridges in the creative community.
What drives me every day is the belief that great production isn’t just about managing resources and timelines – it’s about creating environments where creativity can flourish and where different perspectives can come together to create something truly unique. This philosophy has guided my career from Moscow to Los Angeles, and it continues to shape every project I take on.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My creative journey is driven by a mission that has evolved significantly over the years, shaped by my experiences across different cultures and industries. At its core, my goal is to break down barriers in the creative world – whether they’re cultural, technical, or institutional – and create platforms where diverse voices can flourish.
This mission was born from my own experience navigating the international production landscape. Coming from Moscow to Los Angeles, I witnessed firsthand how valuable different perspectives can be in enriching creative work. This realization led me to establish Tarkovsky Space, which has grown into a community of over 1,000 creative professionals. What began as a way to connect Russian-speaking creatives in Los Angeles has evolved into something much more significant – a bridge between different creative cultures and disciplines.
I believe that the future of content creation lies in our ability to blend different cultural perspectives with innovative approaches to storytelling. This belief drives my work as a producer, whether I’m working on high-profile commercials for global brands, collaborating with students on their thesis films, or producing music videos for international artists.
My goal isn’t just to produce content; it’s to create experiences that resonate across cultural boundaries while maintaining their authentic voice. For instance, when producing the Ferrero Rocher “Another Sky” campaign, our focus was on finding that universal emotional core that could speak to audiences worldwide.
But perhaps the most important aspect of my mission is creating opportunities for emerging talent. Through my work and community initiatives, I strive to build bridges between established industry professionals and new voices. I believe that by fostering these connections and creating spaces for collaboration, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry.
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue expanding these bridges – between cultures, between disciplines, between established and emerging talent. I want to challenge the traditional boundaries of production and explore new ways of telling stories that matter. Whether it’s through embracing new technologies, experimenting with innovative formats, or finding fresh ways to blend different cultural influences, I’m committed to pushing our industry forward while ensuring it becomes more inclusive and accessible.
In essence, my mission is to prove that the most compelling stories emerge when we break down “gate keeping” system and bring different perspectives together. This isn’t just about creating content; it’s about fostering a more connected and collaborative creative ecosystem.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of working in the creative industry isn’t just about delivering successful projects – it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself. As a producer, I get to be the person who brings together incredible talents and then watches as they create magic.
There’s this unique moment on every project when all the pieces finally click into place. Maybe it’s when a director and cinematographer find the perfect shot that we’ve spent hours discussing, or when an editor discovers that unexpected transition that suddenly makes everything flow. Being there for these moments, knowing that my work in assembling the right team and creating the right conditions made it possible – that’s incredibly fulfilling.
But perhaps what I find most rewarding is building lasting relationships in this industry. Every project is an opportunity to strengthen connections with people I admire and to discover new talents. I love that a challenging shoot or a complicated production can turn a group of strangers into a close-knit team, and these relationships often lead to even more exciting collaborations down the line.
In this industry, we’re not just making content – we’re creating opportunities, fostering talents, and building communities. That’s what makes every early morning call time and late-night problem-solving session worth it.
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