Interview - Nadascia Baggio

Hello Nadascia!
How long have you been working at SF Studios?

I have been working at SF Studios since 2016. 

What do you do in your role as Senior Legal Counsel?

I work close to our production business and our digital services (SF Anytime and SF Kids) and provide legal expertise and help them realize their goals. I provide legal advice in various matters, mostly copyright and contract law related, but also relating to privacy, marketing and IT matters. I draft and negotiate loads of commercial agreements on a daily basis, most of which relate to production, acquisition and distribution of feature films and TV-drama. 

Describe a typical workday.

My days are mostly never the same! I have a lot of meetings with internal stakeholders and external counterparties, where I often coordinate and define the key takeaways afterwards. I work in close collaboration with the business to ensure that the agreements we enter into are always aligned with our strategic objectives.  

When I am not in meetings, I spend a lot of time reading and writing on my computer – and enjoy a cup of coffee with a colleague every now and then. There is really never a dull moment at SF Studios! 

Why did you join SF Studios?

In my previous job at a law firm I got more and more interested in how businesses are run in different industries and I came to a point where I decided I wanted to become more business oriented myself. I always knew I wanted to work in a creative industry, I love culture in all its forms! Perhaps in the absence of my own artistic talent, I wanted to work closely with people who are creative. SF Studios represents the perfect combination of culture and business! 

What do you like the most in your role today?

I like that I have a broad role and work with many areas of the law and also broadly within our organization. As a lawyer in a law firm, you often get to be a legal advisor in different contexts, but you rarely fully understand the context in which a question is raised and you don’t see the results of the advises you give. As an inhouse lawyer at SF Studios, I get to understand why questions are asked and I also get to see the effect of my advice, which is so motivating. l believe my job is not only about providing legal advice – I contribute by understanding our business and by finding creative business solutions in line with the legal aspects. 

I also think it is cool to be involved in the entire life cycle of a film – from acquiring the rights from an author, through the development process, shooting the film and being part of the distribution to theaters and home entertainment services. Working with films and rights is complex, but it is a lot of fun and I learn from every new experience.

What do you like the most about working at SF Studios?

I love that there are so many talented people gathered under the same roof. We are like an orchestra — we play the notes in the same rhythm, but we all use our different skills and instruments. It really feels as if we all work towards the same goal, namely, to create successful films that brings value to our business.

I also love that the company has a rich, long history and legacy to care for - yet at the same time, we are forward-leaning and breaking new grounds in an industry that rapidly changes. 

How would you describe the culture at SF Studios?

Something that defines the culture at SF Studios is the inclusiveness with room for all kinds of individuals. I believe everyone feels welcomed at SF Studios. We have fun together and can laugh at our own expense. At the same time, there is still an incredible drive to push forward and be at the forefront of our industry – and to not sit down and be satisfied. We dare to try new things and be creative!

What is your best film/TV memory?

I love Cinema Paradiso! An Italian film about the love for film that I watched many times when I grew up. It is a beautiful movie that I recommend everyone to watch.

Do you have any tips for people who are interested in joining SF Studios?

To thrive in SF Studios, you need to be happy in a prestige less and collaborative company. Another success factor is to have a genuine interest in entertainment in combination with a business drive and commercial approach.

Before I joined SF Studios, I thought I needed to know the industry beforehand. But truly getting to know the business and its quirks is something you will do once you are here. So, if you are interested in working at SF Studios but lack understanding of the industry, do not hesitate to apply – if you have the right attitude and mindset, the rest will fall into place.