CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 12 2024 9 The New Entertainment Mainstream Bringing culturally inspired stories to life with depth and authenticity, particularly those reflective of the Latino experience, 3Pas Studios is, above all else, a storyteller. Creating content such as feature films and both scripted and unscripted television in the Spanish and English languages, this is a production company that is building bridges between borders and nurturing dialogue between people and cultures. Named as the TV & Film Production CEO of the Year 2024 - California, we explore more about 3Pas Studios and its CEO, Benjamin E. Odell, below. Headquartered in Los Angeles at the heart of the US’ worldleading film and television industry – with additional hubs located in Mexico City, Miami, and New York – every project executed by the innovative 3Pas Studios is done to shatter harmful stereotypes, celebrate the power of diversity, and ultimately connect audiences through the shared experience that is life. All of the content produced by the company is done so according to the ‘three Hs’ – humour, heart, and humanity – with at least two of these needed to make anything. At least, this is the view taken by Benjamin E. Odell (Ben), the company’s remarkable CEO, and his successful track record makes us inclined to agree. Balancing creative leadership and general business supervision across his multifaceted role, Ben is responsible for everything from driving the business’ strategy through to developing partnerships and exploring new content areas. When it comes to this content, Ben always questions exactly how it brings people together, with this focus allowing the company to always make a difference. Explaining to us what he believes differentiates 3Pas Studios in this space, Ben hits the nail on the head when he says: “What sets us apart is our commitment to communitydriven entertainment. We’re not just creating content; we’re creating connections. Whether through film, television, or digital media, we’re exploring new ways to blend storytelling with community engagement. It’s this blend of creative ambition and community focus that drives us forward and positions us uniquely in an industry that’s evolving fast.” Ben has been passionate about storytelling and Latino heritage from a young age, beginning when his Dad married into a Colombian family when Ben was a child. Becoming immersed in this unique and fantastic culture, Ben moved to Colombia when he was 22, and this allowed him to appreciate the nuances and style of Latin America storytelling. Co-writing more than 300 hours of television and feature film material with local screenwriters, Ben then honed his craft and evolved his career by occupying various film and TV production roles. It was 2014 when Ben cofounded 3Pas Studios alongside Eugenio Derbez, and together, this duo have been empowering the Latino culture for more than a decade, telling the sorts of stories it is truly passionate about. Producing such hit films as Overboard and How to be a Latin Lover, as well as successful television shows such as The Valet on Hulu and Acapulco on Apple TV+, to name just a few, this is a company that remains rooted in its purpose and clear about what it seeks to achieve. On an internal level, Ben realises this by leading with empathy and open dialogue. He explains: “Over the years, I’ve learned that empowering others and encouraging them to take ownership of their work leads to the best outcomes.” Furthermore, having nurtured a culture anchored around the core values of inclusivity, collaboration, and innovation, this is a team thriving by breaking down barriers and getting voices heard, with global repercussions. Ben’s small, scrappy, and highly creative team make all of this possible. “Our team are all Latino: Mexican American, Colombian American, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and even Paraguayan… and from different generations. It gives us so many angles to approach a story from and so many sensibilities to bounce ideas off. ” With the strengths of such a dedicated team in tow, 3Pas Studios is striving to spend the next 12 months blending its traditional media with several community projects, giving back to local Latino cultures. Ben, meanwhile, remains focused on positioning the company as a pioneer when it comes to community-driven entertainment, and he tells us that he will continue to push for entertaining Latino storytelling that inspires, reaching as many people as possible through inclusive content and culturally rich media. Delivering a welcome approach in the world of media, Benjamin E. Odell is a beacon of positive change in today’s film and television landscape thanks to his work with 3Pas Studios, making him a worthy feature in this programme. Contact: Benjamin E. Odell Company: 3Pas Studios Web Address: https:// www.3pas-studios.com/ Oct24386
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