Courtney LeMarco is the executive producer and showrunner for the the Emmy®-nominated and Critics Choice Television Award-winning series, Hoarders. He spoke with A&E about what excites him about the future of his field and how he views diverse workplaces like an enriching culinary experience.
As an executive producer on Hoarders, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I oversee the show’s creative direction and manage the team throughout production. I also work closely with the network to ensure that the project is moving forward according to the creative guidelines that have been established. I have an extremely talented team of field producers, writers, and editors, who work hard to bring the highest quality to the show. It’s an amazing experience.
What inspired you to work in this field?
I’ve always been into media and entertainment. I used to want to be in front of the camera, but the more I learned, the more I realized that the business’s production and creative side inspires me. I love managing all the moving parts. And I get to dabble in all aspects of the production instead of just focusing on one thing.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
My favorite part of working on this project is seeing the positive impact of a show like Hoarders on many of the individuals featured in the program. Many are in dire circumstances and about to lose their homes. And some of them have lost touch with their family members. Seeing the look on their faces when they realize they’re getting their lives back is a feeling that can’t be compared to anything else.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a producer or starting their own studio?
Plan, plan, and then plan some more. And even then, be prepared for the unexpected. This is a very tumultuous business. It takes grit, perseverance and a lot of patience to be successful. Find good, trustworthy people to add to your team. And no matter what happens, do not give up. That’s probably the most important thing. You just have to keep going.
There has been a push to increase diversity, equity and inclusivity in workplaces across the country. Have you noticed any changes in your field?
I’ve noticed some changes in the industry. Not a lot, but some. However, like a cargo ship, this movement is big and takes time to turn things around. Much more needs to be done, but I believe the industry will evolve to a state where diversity is the norm and not just a PR stunt.
What do you think are some benefits of having a more diverse workplace?
One of the things that always brings people together is food. As a former professional chef, I can’t imagine what it would be like not to experience the many different culinary cuisines worldwide. All those different flavors, techniques, ingredients and recipes make for a much more enriching dining experience. It’s the same in the workplace. Diversity brings all our unique cultures and perspectives together to create a far more flavorful environment. It broadens perspectives and allows companies to be more transformative in an increasingly globalized business environment.
As an executive producer, what’s a challenge you face that might come as a surprise to viewers?
The biggest challenge that I face is staying in my lane. I have many creative ideas I want to explore—many projects I want to bring to the table. That can ironically be detrimental to the creative process and a company’s growth due to a potential lack of focus.
Most distributors have an audience they need to cater to and aren’t looking for a wide range of concepts. My strategy to combat this is patience. Right now, we’re focusing on a specific genre and building our company as the go-to team for that genre. And once we’ve established ourselves, we will expand into new genres and projects to offer our partners a wider range of creative concepts.
What professional achievement are you especially proud of?
Completing my first season of Hoarders was a major milestone in my career. A&E took a big risk entrusting one of their flagship IPs to an unknown, first-time producer. But I had the confidence to see it through, I’ve been able to forge lifelong friendships, and it’s opened up my career to unlimited opportunities. It’s something I truly appreciate.
Where do you hope to be in the next 5-10 years?
I plan to open a world-class production facility and expand into feature films and animation. I want to allow other creators to bring their personal stories and ideas to life. Hopefully, our relationship with A&E will grow, and we’ll make more life-changing television that people can relate to.
What excites you about the future of your field?
I’ve always been into emerging technology. I was using Apple computers before the age of Macintosh. I’m interested in seeing what AI can bring to the industry, and I want to dive deep into immersive content with VR and augmented reality. I think the next few years are going to be extremely exciting.
What can A+E Networks do to help further diversity, equity and inclusion?
As I said before, A+E allowed an unproven African American, first-time producer to manage one of their top-tier shows. We were able to find success, and it has been an amazing relationship ever since. From my experience, I can say that A+E is at the forefront of furthering industry diversity, equity, and inclusion.