Peer Review: Olivia Ravasio

Who are three contemporaries that you admire?

Few things will make me aggressively elbow whoever is next to me to make them look at my screen when something pops up, but Refik Anadol’s mind bending work is absolutely one of them. His Large Nature Model in particular, I could watch for hours. Immersive, uses AI in an inspiring and beautiful way, and is modelled after flowers in the Amazon? Sign me up.

[Rihanna] identified a market gap that aligned with her values, and jumped on it with massive success. 

I so enjoy Mischief’s social presence, led by Oliver McAteer. It is no small feat to capture a brand of that scale in an authentic and compelling way that people actually care about. I have the utmost respect for someone who is able to do something everyone is trying to do, but finds the magic angle that makes it successful.  

Last but obviously not least, I’ll go all out and say Rihanna. I am endlessly inspired by her evolution over the years. She’s never been afraid to take a risk and evolve her career into something different, and those risks have really paid off. She identified a market gap that aligned with her values, and jumped on it with massive success. And the flying platform halftime show while pregnant will be burned in my brain forever!

Above: Artist Refik Anadol uses AI to create mind-bending visual artworks.

Please share 3-4 pieces of work that exemplify great production. 

I’ve always had a soft spot for 7-Eleven coffee, but after watching this stylish-as-hell spot by Christine Yuan, I actually tell people I like it. Who knew a gas station drip could look this hot?

This TikTok, where the interviewer so clearly has no idea who Baz Luhrmann is. He repositions the camera to put himself in the best light before he dives into talking about foursomes and monogamy. I’ve never seen anything more perfect and riveting.

I ended up in this industry because I have a true love and unending fascination with people - how they think, how they got here, and what made them who they are.

In true millennial fashion, this Balmain x The Lion King spot gives me full body chills. The locations, the models, the fashion, the music! Stunning end-to-end.

And of course, Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour. The sheer joy I felt to see huge watercolour pieces of fabric waved around on stage in person (despite seeing it on every social media platform repeatedly for 6 months straight) is a huge testament to the scale and creative excellence of the production that was executed. It’s incredibly hard to produce something that is amazing in the room and also for film, while never having one never detract from the impact of the other. That is true production and directorial vision at its greatest. 

What do you like most about the work that you do?

I ended up in this industry because I have a true love and unending fascination with people - how they think, how they got here, and what made them who they are. In what career do you meet a more interesting and diverse range of people than in reality TV?! 

People who feel seen and supported are infinitely more impactful in the workplace. Support the whole human, not just the employee, and you’ll be rewarded tenfold.

While my reality TV days are behind me now (well...mostly – keep your eyes peeled for some Entropico originals coming to a screen near you soon), my love of people and making entertaining content, and ensuring everyone has a good time doing it, has stayed a consistent and driving force throughout my career.

What was your journey to becoming CEO and EP?

I jumped over to try my hand at producing branded content in 2017, and immediately felt like I’d found what I wanted the rest of my career to look like. I found Entropico during the long days of 2020, and haven’t looked back since. As Entropico grew, I had to grow with it, even if I didn’t necessarily feel ‘ready’ at every turn. It’s been a rewarding and imperfect journey, but one I am really proud of. 

 I admire every producer for showing up and making a vision come to life from just an idea to a fully executed production. 

What is the most valuable skill you’ve learned in your career, and why?

People who feel seen and supported are infinitely more impactful in the workplace. Support the whole human, not just the employee, and you’ll be rewarded tenfold.

Above: Australian director Baz Luhrmann is interviewed by a Tiktoker about foursomes and non-monogamy.

What is one thing every CEO/EP needs?

An amazing support system, at work and at home. 

 It's okay to sometimes be wrong when the alternative is not trying at all.

Who was the greatest producer of all time? Why?

I think the best answer to this question is all of us and none of us. Anyone who has ever made the impossible possible, with no time, with budget limitations, and with a million outside factors we can never control - is the greatest in their own way. I admire every producer for showing up and making a vision come to life from just an idea to a fully executed production. 

Did you have a mentor? Who was it?

I’ve been so lucky to have many mentors throughout my career, many of whom I’m lucky to still be working with today! I have always been ambitious and full of strong opinions, which can be a real double-edged sword when diving into new frontiers. 

I hope industry leaders find their true north star and use that to make the many decisions they face.

I’m so grateful to the many mentors who gently showed me where I was wrong (even when I was so sure I was right) without squashing my drive and desire to push things to be better. It's okay to sometimes be wrong when the alternative is not trying at all.