5 questions with producer Shawn Levy

Director Shawn Levy (Cheaper by the Dozen, Night at the Museum, The Internship) signed up as producer for Netflix’s new show Stranger Things because he was a fan of directors Matt and Ross Duffer. “This was a show I loved, with writer-directors who were t

Hi Shawn, at what point did you get involved with Stranger Things? Take us back.

About a year ago, my executive Dan Cohen told me about these twin brothers who were emerging young filmmakers with a very specific idea for a TV series. I read the pilot script by the Duffers and met them and I remember very clearly thinking to myself: “these guys are for real. They have a unique and fully realised vision for this TV series and I want to bet on them.”

Why are Matt and Ross perfect for this series?

Above all, the Duffers are film geeks. They truly steeped themselves in the films of the 80s and so this show is a sincere ... love letter to not only that era but [also] to the films of that era.

As a director yourself, would you say your approach as a producer has changed? How?

Because I have produced all my own movies for a decade now, I know first-hand how precious it is to be able to execute one’s vision and instincts. I have had that luxury on my movies and I try to be a producer who empowers the vision of my filmmakers.

You’ve worked with both TV and films, how has the difference between the two mediums evolved over time, especially with platforms such as Netflix?

I think it’s safe to say that the old perceived hierarchies of film and TV have been obliterated. So much of the best storytelling is happening on the small screen, not the big. Netflix is a streaming service that basically operates like the fantasy movie studio — backing the vision of its creative partners with enough money and support for us filmmakers to put on-screen something that is uncannily true to the vision we start off with.

Would you encourage people to sit down for eight hours and binge-watch Stranger Things?

However people want to watch, I am supremely confident viewers will get hooked in early and love the ride that this show takes them on. It’s without question one of the coolest things I’ve ever been involved in.