When Bruna Papandrea arrived in New York, she had $200.

An avid storyteller, the South Australian began reading scripts for her friend, actor Anthony LaPaglia. But it was when she was offered a job working for legendary filmmakers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella that her career transformed.

“I was 29, and I get chills telling the story because that is just a moment that you can't fathom how much it's going to change your life,” the film producer says.

In this week’s episode, host Lauren Sams finds out how Papandrea became one of Hollywood’s most powerful storytellers, producing huge hits from Big Little Lies and Gone Girl to The Undoing.

This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage.

Further reading:

‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire

Craig Carracher knew student accommodation could be vastly improved – and a serious moneymaker.

How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company

Andromeda founder Grace Brown reveals how her hi-tech companion, Abi, has disrupted an industry.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'I had $200′: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise

How I Made It

'I had $200′: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise