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It's really about realizing
we can own a piece of each other's successes, and in so
doing, learn to become successful ourselves.
Lois Shelton,
Foxglove Films |
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Zita and actor Michael in Panama filming “End of the Spear”
Women in Film
Feature Focus
Zita Mazzola
“I believe in treating everyone with the same respect whether they are the director or a PA. We all have something to contribute and we cannot accomplish what we do in our business without respecting each other's contributions.”
-- Zita
Zita Mazzola, Seattle Production Manager and Production Office Coordinator, has been working in the entertainment business for almost 20 years. Zita travels the globe but is working close to home these days. She is currently the Production Manager on the “The Details” starring Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta and Kerry Washington. The Details is shot entirely in Seattle with a mostly local crew. Last year, Zita worked as the Production Supervisor on “World's Greatest Dad” starring Robin Williams, written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait.
On set in Panama filming “End of the Spear”
In between movies, Zita keeps busy working as Production Manager on commercials for local and out of town companies.
As much as she likes working at home, she also enjoys the challenge of setting up production offices in different cities in the US and around the world. Her career has taken her everywhere. In 2004 she and her husband, Eugene, spent six months in Panama filming the movie “End of the Spear.” Eugene was the Executive Producer and Zita the Coordinator. Zita loved the experience of working not only with local Panamanian crew, but also with the Embera Indians, a native Indian tribe who worked as actors and extras.
Zita comes from a film family but had not planned on a career in film. She was born in Hong Kong and speaks fluent Cantonese.
Zita and actor Liliku in Panama filming “End of the Spear”
Her mother was an actress and her stepfather was a director and film editor. Zita studied art at UCLA and after marrying Eugene Mazzola was a stay-at-home Mom. She moved to Woodinville in 1981 from Los Angeles with Eugene and their first two children, Saveria and Richard-Augustus. They added to their family with the birth of their son Sebastian. Being a mom of three kept her busy and she didn't really “stay at home” much since she was always on the go with three children. Active in her community as Room Mother, Baseball Mom, Soccer Mom, 4-H Leader and PTA President, along with being a Mom, provided her with valuable experiences many of which have helped her to be a better Production Coordinator. Schedule juggling, staying calm under pressure, leadership and communication are just of few of the skills she carried over!
These skills have made Zita a sought after Production Coordinator and PM on dozens of features, TV shows, and commercials.
Production Office of “Travelling” in Seattle
To name a few: “Brand New Day” (Seattle Unit) Traveling, LLC/Universal Studios; “End of the Spear” (Panama) Every Tribe Entertainment; “Mission Impossible:2” (U.S. Unit), Paramount Pictures & Cruise/Wagner; “Turbulence” (Seattle Unit), Dimention Films/Miramax; “The Crow” (Seattle Unit) MGM-UA/Rysher Entertainment, “Breaking Bad” TV Pilot, Sony TV, AMC; “The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer,” Disney, Touchstone, ABC MOW; “The Drew Carey Show” Episode 3 (Cleveland, OH) Warner Bros.
Eugene told me early on that there are no problems, only solutions. This has gotten me through lots of stressful situations. I have discovered that the only thing constant in our business is change.
Cast and Crew in Panama, Zita and Eugene on right
Most importantly, I believe in treating everyone with the same respect whether they are the director or a PA. We all have something to contribute and we cannot accomplish what we do in our business without respecting each other's contributions.
Early on Zita's husband Eugene recognized the potential in the growing Seattle film industry and started a grip and lighting company, Seattle Cine. The Cine Companies (Seattle, Portland, & Spokane) served the Northwest for many years until it was sold to Pacific Grip & Lighting. Eugene continues to work in the industry as an AD and UPM. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree and all three of their children have worked in the film industry. Saveria worked in production for three years and met her husband, Paul who was the 2nd AC, while working on “Austin Powers.” She was Director of Stage Operations at The Lot in Hollywood for five years. R-A is working as a PA in commercials and drives the EZ Production Motorhome owned by Eugene and Zita. He also works part time for their Production Service Company, Bridge Productions and is responsible for the creation and maintenance of their websites. Sebastian joined the DGA last year and moved to South Carolina to work as the 2nd 2nd AD on “Army Wives.”
Zita had been working as a Coordinator locally for a few years when, in 1990, she was invited to the first meeting of WIF/Seattle in Fremont organized by the Founding Mothers. After hearing their vision she, and many other inspired women, signed up on the spot. Zita became Membership Chair and worked on the WIF Board for a number of years. Her involvement with WIF has been rewarding and has given her the opportunity to meet wonderful women, many of whom have remained dear friends. She notes WIF/Seattle has gone through many changes in the last 19 years but has never waivered in its goal to promote, support, and mentor its members.
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