Dream Teams: How the Stars Aligned to Create This Executive Producer Partnership
Through mutual friends, they had known of each other for years (and were even part of the same bachelor fantasy league), but Amanda Morrison and Ellie Winston had never met. In fact, the now executive producer partners at Westside Studio in Toronto, Ontario, would be introduced for the first time during a final interview for the roles. Brought together by the studio’s partners – Tom Nesbitt and Chris Gordaneer – when Ellie and Amanda finally met, the stars aligned. It kick-started what has since become a successful and joyous partnership.
“We were paired by Westside, and I really think Tom should be Toronto’s matchmaker,” Amanda says. “We have been working together since September, but truthfully, I feel like I have known Ellie my whole life!”
Speaking on their first meeting, according to Ellie, following their final interview, the two sat down for some beverages and conversation. “We went out for a beer, and talked about what inspired us, what we wanted to change, and what we believed in. Four hours later, I left with the biggest grin on my face… and a new work partner.”
It wouldn’t be long afterwards that the team would take on their first job together. Working on a Campbell’s project with director Ryan Szulc, the pair jumped in head first, focusing as much on the work as they did learning each other’s individual styles and skill sets. “What I learned pretty quickly was that our ways of working are relatively similar,” notes Amanda. “We did not need to talk much about the process of things - it all just kind of fell into place, and it felt very natural for the two of us to be working on something together.”
Ellie reiterates this: “The process really solidified what I already knew. We were still figuring out how to work together – but it flowed really naturally. Amanda could fill in what the agency was expecting and what would be best for the project, and I could do the same for the production side. Having her with me made the road ahead less daunting.”
And since that first collaboration, the two have only grown in their understanding of what it takes to be a team. To this end, Ellie states that her and Amanda’s vastly differing backgrounds really help them approach positions from two different and unique perspectives. Where Amanda used to be an agency producer - lending her a detail-oriented, no nonsense, observant and problem-solving readiness, Ellie’s history in production lends her a ‘crew-first’ perspective and a desire to make sets as safe, fun and inclusive as possible.
“I wouldn’t have [this balance] any other way,” she continues. “As a line producer, I used to say ‘it’s not my fault, but it’s my responsibility’. The ability to take ownership of a project (or a problem) is something both Amanda and I share.”
Building on this, Amanda states that the duo’s alignment makes communication and honesty simple - further bolstering the strength of their relationship. “I feel [this trust] is so important in a working relationship (a personal one too!),” she says. “Ellie and I are incredibly aligned and have created a really great symbiotic way of working. One of us can miss a meeting and still feel confident that our viewpoints/thoughts will be shared regardless.”
This shared ethos is especially pivotal for Westside, as it expands its roster of directors. “We are in the midst of adding some really exciting artists to our ranks. That is an ongoing collaboration that I’m endlessly thankful for. Growth requires a lot of patience and trust on both sides, but Amanda and I have always shared the same vision for our roster, and seeing it come to life has been the most rewarding thing,” says Ellie. “We can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on here at Westside since we started.” Amanda adds.
Nevertheless, growth and successful times do not preclude the possibility of occasional disagreement. In fact, as Ellie puts it, in a job that can be frustrating, naturally, there are frustrations every day. “We disagree all the time, and I’m endlessly thankful for that,” she says. “On the big stuff, we are totally aligned, but the best part of having a partner you can trust is having someone to bounce crazy ideas off, with no judgement. I can count on Amanda for her honesty. She might tell me ‘Ellie, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard’, but she also might tell me ‘that’s AMAZING, what if we added x, y, and z?’. I count on those disagreements to push us - and Westside - further than we could ever go alone.”
Expanding on this, Amanda notes that the pair feels confident to express frustrations to one another, which in turn, has only made their partnership stronger. “No matter the situation, we really approach things with an ‘in this together’ mindset. Once we hear each other’s opinions, there are usually great points on both ends, and we find ourselves with a refreshed idea,” to which Ellie says, “as EPs, we honestly just don’t have time to stay divided on anything. If we’re really getting frustrated with each other, that usually means we need to eat something!”
This lack of time for division is no exaggeration, either. The rapid rate at which production moves forces the pair to approach each project with a readiness for anything. “Being in production is always going to be 90% preparation, and 10% reaction to what comes up along the way,” Ellie says. “There’s no way to predict and prepare for everything, whether that’s a huge blizzard the night before your exterior shoot, or the agency sending the wrong colour corrects the night before day one. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, this job surprises you. All we can do is stay calm, get creative, and put the problem into perspective. After all, we’re not saving lives here!”
But what Ellie and Amanda get up to at Westside and on production sets doesn’t simply stop when they leave the building. Whether it’s sending each other thoughts, notes, gossip, reminders, gut checks, recommendations or work to check out, the pair is always in touch.
“It honestly feels weird if a weekend has passed and we haven’t spoken,” Amanda says. “I recently went on holiday, and the first person I texted when I took my phone off airplane mode was Ellie. I missed her!
It may be unsurprising, then, to know that the two are also always attempting to learn from one another. On a work level, this comes in the form of the pair sharing different industry perspectives on a consistent basis. “I always thought it was so fun that art directors and writers were paired – a built-in work bestie,” Amanda says. “Having a creative partner has pushed me in ways I could not have even imagined and I am incredibly grateful to have Ellie as a creative partner. Together, we have eased into our new roles as EPs, merged our knowledge from both ends of production, and learned how rewarding the process can be. I’m excited, and forever grateful to be on this ride with her, and now I’ve got that built-in bestie!”
Echoing the sentiment, Ellie adds that the lessons also go well beyond the workplace. “There is so much entertaining (and so many nights out) in this business,” she says. “To feel like I am going out to dinner with my best friend, every time, is an incredible gift. We’re also both introverts, so having that support when we’re going out for our fourth dinner that week is essential. But aside from that, she’s reminded me how fun this job can be, how to be on LinkedIn, what happens if you eat too many oranges, the importance of humidifiers, and the best way to treat a hangover.”
Through all of this, it’s clear to see that the pair have come a long way since they first joined forces. While Amanda still maintains that her first impression of Ellie was how terrible she was at their bachelor fantasy league (she came dead last), she immediately saw her partner as both smart and genuine. She’s also come to discover that Ellie is incredibly reliable, trustworthy, resourceful and funny - to the point that the two can often be found in their offices crying with laughter over something. Simply put, she says, “It’s truly been a joy getting to know her.”
Ellie re-emphasises that from the very moment they met, the two immediately clicked. “With Amanda, there was an immediate sense of trust that came with our partnership. It’s one thing to trust someone as a person – but trusting their creative eye is entirely different. We were lucky enough to have both right off the bat.”
Continuing, she adds that in learning about Amanda, she’s only grown more confident - both in their partnership, but also for what the two of them can bring to the future of Westside Studio. “When we started, we were welcomed into the incredible community that is Westside. Amanda and I are proud to build on its existing legacy of kindness, respect, and creativity. We share a zero tolerance for assholes and egos. Making folks feel safe and respected both on and off set is our number one priority. When you have that, great work can happen.”
