MANDY SAFAVI
Los Angeles
Summary
Dynamic Emmy Award-winning Film and Television Producer with extensive experience managing A-list creative teams and overseeing the production of original series. Proven track record in strategic development and execution for major studios, adept at fostering collaborations that elevate project delivery and audience engagement.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
President, TV & Film
KANG & CO ENTERTAINMENT
Los Angeles
04.2019 - Current
- Directed daily operations for an A-List writer-driven company (Angela Kang) under an exclusive overall deal at Amazon MGM Studios.
- Liaised with top agents, managers, and Amazon executives to develop and sell long-form TV series.
- Oversaw creative development and on-set production for long-form series, including hiring writers and directors, casting, and supervising through delivery.
- Developed and sold TV projects, including "KATABASIS” (Pilot, Co-prod, Captivate Ent.), “ALIAS EMMA” (Pilot, Co-prod, Carlton Cuse/Genre Arts), "NEVER TO BE FOUND" (Pilot), and “NEVERENDING, DARLING” (Feature, Wattpad/Webtoon USA).
President
DANNY STRONG PRODUCTIONS
Los Angeles
01.2019 - 12.2024
- Oversee all aspects of creative development for long-form series and on-set production: from hiring of writers and directors for creative development, casting, and on-set supervision through delivery.
- Liaised with top agents, managers, and executives to develop and sell long-form TV series, strengthening industry relationships and expanding project opportunities.
- Developed and produced notable TV projects including "THE ANSWERS” (Pilot, FX/20th/Protozoa), “FRONTIERLAND: THE PONY EXPRESS" (20th/Disney+), and others, contributing to diverse content portfolio and audience engagement.
- Directed daily operations of A-List writer-driven company with exclusive overall deal at 20th Television studios, delivering services to internal buyers (FX, Hulu, ABC, Disney+, Onyx) and external buyers, enhancing production capabilities.
Head of Television
CRYPT TV
Los Angeles
10.2018 - 01.2019
- Packaged Crypt TV’s premium IP for long-form television development through the first-look deal with Paul Lee’s studio, WIIP.
- Oversaw creative development and on-set production for long-form series, including hiring writers and directors, managing creative development, casting, and on-set supervision.
- Liaised with top agents, managers, and buyers to develop and sell long-form TV series to major domestic and international cable outlets and streamers.
- Developed and produced TV project 'THE BIRCH' (Facebook Watch) with writers Ben Franklin and Anthony Melton.
Producer
MGM
Beverly Hills
01.2018 - 08.2018
- Directed creative development and on-set production process, hiring writers and directors, developing scripts, casting, scheduling, and supervising digital TV movie production.
- Managed production schedules and resources for film projects at a major studio.
- Liaised with creative and production executives from MGM, Digital, and New Platforms divisions during preproduction and post to ensure timely delivery of final product.
- Collaborated with directors and writers to develop creative concepts and scripts.
- Coordinated with departments to ensure seamless project execution and communication.
Consulting Producer
Sony Crackle
Los Angeles
03.2016 - 11.2016
- Directed all facets of creative production from preparation to delivery, managing the writers’ room for script development, casting, budget, schedule, on-set production supervision, and editorial.
- Lead on-set non-writing producer, responsible for all creative direction, decisions, and approvals from production through delivery on all ten episodes of the season.
- Collaborated with network, showrunner, writers, and block directors to facilitate smooth production and timely delivery of the show.
President, Production & Development
TALL GIRLS PRODS.
Burbank
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Acquired and developed innovative TV projects for network, cable, and streaming platforms, enhancing content portfolio.
- Partnered with ABC Studios to develop and produce multiple television projects, contributing to successful project execution.
- TV Projects developed: "JESSICA JONES” (MARVEL/ABC STUDIOS/NETFLIX), “CLANDESTINE" (ABC/Pilot script) writer: Matthew Sand (“DEEPWATER HORIZON”), "COMPROMISED" (ABC/ Cable Pitch) writers: Joshua Oppenheimer & Tom Donnelly (“DRAKE’S FORTUNE”)
- Coordinated daily operations for the TV company of writer/EP Melissa Rosenberg.
EVP, Production & Development
KO PAPER PRODUCTS
Universal City
09.2006 - 12.2012
- Co-managed day-to-day development and production slate for company founded by writer/producers ALEX KURTZMAN & ROBERTO ORCI (writer/producers: “STAR TREK” FRANCHISE, “TRANSFORMERS” FRANCHISE, “COWBOYS & ALIENS,” “ENDER’S GAME, “NOW YOU SEE ME,” EAGLE EYE,” “HAWAII 5-0,” “FRINGE”).
- Liaised daily with top feature agents, managers, investors, and publicists to acquire new projects for development and sales to major domestic and international feature film studios.
- Hired all writers, directors, and department heads for developed and produced projects.
- Supervised creative development staff and oversaw presentation materials for selling feature projects to studios and worldwide markets.
- Compiled project status reports for upper management and DreamWorks executives to ensure informed decision-making.
- TV credits: “TRANSFORMERS PRIME” (2010-2013) EMMY-winning Animated series (Hub/Hasbro).
- Co-Producer, “LOCKE & KEY” (TV pilot/20th Fox TV).
- Feature Projects developed/produced: “ENDER'S GAME” (Exec. Producer/Summit/Lionsgate); “COWBOYS & ALIENS” (Universal/DW), “THE PROPOSAL” (Disney), “EAGLE EYE” (DreamWorks), “END OF ETERNITY” (New Regency), “THE DEFENDERS” (DW), “28th AMENDMENT” (Warner Bros.), “MATT HELM” (Paramount).
- DreamWorks-Universal
SVP, Production & Development
OUT OF THE BLUE ENT.
Culver City
04.2001 - 09.2006
- Co-supervised production slate for company founded by veteran producer Sid Ganis (Big Daddy, Pan-Am), contributing to project selection and strategic direction.
- Acquired new projects, coordinated with writers and directors during development, and updated upper management on project status weekly to ensure alignment.
- Attended major film festivals and markets to identify new talent, securing financing and packaging for film projects to enhance production capabilities.
- Projects developed: “AKEELAH AND THE BEE” (Lionsgate Films), “I DREAM OF JEANNIE” (Sony), ”THE GOVERNESS” (Jennifer Lopez/Sony), remake of “THE TOY” (Adam Sandler, Happy Madison/Sony), “WATER'S EDGE” (Constantin Film).
- Sony Pictures
VP, Production & Development
LYNDA OBST PRODUCTIONS
Los Angeles
03.2000 - 11.2000
- Collaborated with President of Production to oversee development slate for major production company led by Academy Award-nominated producer Lynda Obst.
- Acquired projects, coordinated with writers and directors during development, and secured financing and packaging for multiple film projects.
- Projects developed: “HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS” (Paramount), “SOMEONE LIKE YOU” (Fox 2000), “ABANDON” (Paramount).
- Collaborated with team at Paramount Pictures on film projects
Education
B.A. - History
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
London, UKSkills
- Project management
- Production oversight
- Budget management
- Creative development
- Script development
- Talent acquisition
- Industry networking
Awards
- Emmy Award Nominee, 2022, Co-Executive Producer, 'DOPESICK' – Best Limited TV series (Hulu).
- TV Academy Honors Recipient, 2022, 'DOPESICK' (Hulu)
- Winner, Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards, 2022, 'DOPESICK' – Best Limited TV series (Hulu).
- Winner, Emmy Award, 2012, Producer, 'TRANSFORMERS PRIME' – Best Animated TV series (Hub network).
Languages
- Farsi
- Spanish
- French
- English, fluent
- Farsi, fluent
- Spanish, proficient
- French, proficient
Citizenship
- US
- UK
Timeline
President, TV & Film
KANG & CO ENTERTAINMENT
04.2019 - Current
President
DANNY STRONG PRODUCTIONS
01.2019 - 12.2024
Head of Television
CRYPT TV
10.2018 - 01.2019
Producer
MGM
01.2018 - 08.2018
Consulting Producer
Sony Crackle
03.2016 - 11.2016
President, Production & Development
TALL GIRLS PRODS.
07.2013 - 07.2014
EVP, Production & Development
KO PAPER PRODUCTS
09.2006 - 12.2012
SVP, Production & Development
OUT OF THE BLUE ENT.
04.2001 - 09.2006
VP, Production & Development
LYNDA OBST PRODUCTIONS
03.2000 - 11.2000
B.A. - History
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London