THE TALENT BEHIND THE SCREEN
A conversation with Sara Rodriguez, Senior Vice President, Documentary Programming at HBO
How did you arrive at this position at HBO?
SR: People have asked if I was recruited at HBO, but my future here actually started with an email. I was connected to Lisa Heller, who co-heads HBO Documentary Programming, over email through a mutual friend whom I asked to introduce us. We then had one of those coffee meetings that could have gone on for hours. Following that I met Nancy Abraham, who is the other co-head and fell in love with the dynamic between the two and their vision for the future of docs. Luckily our chemistry was mutual, and I started at HBO in 2018. Prior to that, I spent four years at Vice Media as SVP of Global Video. While there, I led the creative strategy, development and production of thousands of pieces of video including digital documentaries and premium series for third party platforms, as well as social video. I began my career at CBS News and over the years have worked across every evolution of non-fiction video storytelling.
What was given to you in terms of advice or mentorship that pushed you to where you are today?
SR: I would say that your reputation travels with you. People may not remember the details of a project they worked on with you, but they will remember the experience and how they were treated.
What do you consider to be your career highlights?
SR: One of my career highlights was seeing the release of an innocent man from prison because of the reporting I had been a part of at CBS News. Also, interviewing Oprah at her house. I wouldn’t have dreamed of putting that one on a bucket list, but I was lucky it happened. I would also say that the documentaries we shepherd at HBO are so rich and varied that working across each project feels like a gift.
What role do you see Latinos playing for HBO’s future, and media in general? How important is this segment for your industry?
SR: Along with Asian Americans, we are part of the fastest growing population in the US. So, if we want to have a future audience, it’s a good idea to prioritize our representation.
What are the main challenges in the media industry and how do you tackle them?
SR: I think the industry is waking upto the fact that excluding different voices isn't a smart business decision. When storytelling comes from an authentic POV, an audience can tell and will show up in a big way.
“AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE DOESN’T COME WITHOUT BEING INTENTIONAL.”
How does an inclusive culture fuel a career like yours?
SR: An inclusive culture doesn’t come without being intentional. It’s about paying attention to the people in the room and really asking yourself whose POV are you missing. There is still a long way to go in that respect but today there are more people of color in leadership positions than when I was starting out which means we are starting to have decision-making power to change things.
What are your most important work and professional values and what is the philosophy you lead your teams with?
SR: Hard work and empathy aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s important for people to feel comfortable coming to work as their full selves and no matter what stage you are in your career, your voice is needed. If you have an idea, it’s crucial to speak up.
What is the main lesson you have learned so far?
SR: No one is going to give you something you don’t ask for.
Another lesson would be that it’s critical to continue to learn new skills especially as technology evolves at a rapid pace. That’s a big one because the only thing promised to us in the media business is change.