Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley
From Movie Nights to Business Strategy Insights with Shivani Patel
April 23, 2025 · 24 min
Why listen
A studio SVP explains how data, instinct, and a love of film shape which movies actually get made.
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In this episode
- How a film slate gets built from creative and commercial angles
- What greenlight discussions actually look like inside a major studio
- Why instinct still matters even when every decision is data-backed
- How a lifelong movie obsession can become a serious business career
About this episode
Who helps studio execs decide what movies get made—and what are they thinking about when they make their recommendations? For Shivani Patel, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Universal Pictures, it’s where creative opportunity meets commercial strategy—and every decision has to be backed by the data.Shivani plays a key role in shaping Universal’s film slate, bringing both business insight and a lifelong love of movies to the table. In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley talks with her about the journey from Friday night runs to Blockbuster with her family to sitting in the room where “greenlight discussions” happen
They talk about the moments that shaped her—why The Dark Knight changed everything, how Chef made her a grilled cheese obsessive, and what it felt like to help bring films like Yesterday and Get Out to life. Shivani also reflects on the importance of showing up fully at work, and how the best decisions are often made when instinct and insight come together.
About Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley
A podcast series hosted by Jacqueline Coley, Awards Editor at Rotten Tomatoes. Claim your ticket to witness the personal narratives happening behind the scenes of film and entertainment. Each episode invites you into intimate conversations with filmmakers, actors and industry insiders.
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