We recently connected with Josianne Côté and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Josianne, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by both of my parents. Growing up, I witnessed my father, Guy, tirelessly dedicating himself to his various businesses, working seven days a week. From running the local movie theater, the Gaspé’s drive-in and video stores, he exemplified relentless determination and outstanding entrepreneurial spirit. As the eldest daughter in a family of ten children, my mother Noëlla began her working life earning a mere dollar a week in 1955. Her job constituted of dusting the village church benches before attending school every morning.
Our family resided in a quaint fishing village nestled in the northeastern region of Canada, where the population scarcely exceeded 500 residents in the 1980s. To thrive in such a close-knit community, my parents understood the importance of fostering goodwill and earning the trust of everyone, from our neighboring villages to the town of 5,000 where my father’s businesses flourished. Their exemplary conduct and unwavering integrity left an indelible impression on me and my two brothers. My mother, in particular, was a masterful teacher, imparting invaluable lessons on customer service and public etiquette with precision and care. Meanwhile, my father effortlessly navigated social circles with grace, earning universal admiration for his affable nature, boundless positivity, and unwavering respect for all.
From a young age, I grasped the significance of community perception and its impact on our family’s businesses. While the village mentality could be daunting and judgmental, my brothers and I embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. Our upbringing felt exhilarating compared to that of our peers with conventional parental occupations. We reveled in the perks of our unique lifestyle, enjoying unrestricted access to movie screenings—a cherished privilege in our snow-covered town. Indeed, my childhood resembled a Canadian rendition of ‘Cinema Paradiso.’
During weekends, I accompanied our parents to their establishments, eagerly taking on my first job at the age of seven: serving popcorn during Sunday matinees at the movie theater. By nine, I was handling the cash register at the drive-in’s intermissions, swiftly calculating orders and developing a knack for mental arithmetic. The enchantment of those weekend spent at the movie theater and the drive-in, and peeking into the projectionist’s room to watch the reels of film whirring, ignited my lifelong passion for cinema.
In essence, my formative years were defined by the invaluable lessons gleaned from my parents’ unwavering work ethic and the vibrant community that shaped my upbringing. Their enduring influence continues to inspire my dedication to excellence and passion for my craft.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Originally from Montreal, I’ve called Los Angeles home since 1998. I’m deeply passionate about storytelling and hold a degree in communication with a minor in advertising. Art, museums, fashion—anything creative—captures my heart. Growing up with a business-oriented mindset, I find that being an Executive Producer in advertising perfectly blends both passions. While I began my journey in production, post-production quickly became my focal point. The entire process, from shaping the narrative through editing to enhancing it with sound effects, captivates me. Surrounding myself with creative minds is both inspiring and makes work feel like a playground! “La vie est belle” when you’re having fun!
This year, I started Bungalow 5, a creative post-production boutique nestled in the heart of Venice. The space boasts a rich history—it was once the residence of the renowned Venice artist Billy Al Bengston and served as Harrison Ford’s family compound. It exudes vibrant creative energy, making it the ultimate hangout spot for creatives.
I’m a firm believer in the power of in-person collaboration. While the virtual realm has its merits, nothing quite matches the excitement of tangible, face-to-face interaction. At Bungalow 5, our focus is on fostering personal collaboration to enhance efficiency and elevate the quality of our work.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of pioneering editorial ventures and revitalizing struggling companies, consistently achieving success. Despite harboring dreams of owning my own post-production boutique, fear held me back for years. Today, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve embraced this challenge wholeheartedly!
I’m immensely proud to represent a team of exceptional editors and post artists whose dedication and talent inspire me daily. Over my two-decade tenure in advertising, I’ve had the honor of collaborating on groundbreaking projects. Prior to founding Bungalow 5, I served as an Executive Producer for visual FX shows like “The Witcher,” “Love Death and Robots,” and “Master of the Air,” where our teams received prestigious awards such as the BAFTA and VES. Collaborating with exceptional talent, including the team at Rodeo FX, has been instrumental in my growth and learning journey.
My commitment to delivering high-quality work and pushing creative boundaries remains unwavering at Bungalow 5. I am dedicated to nurturing this drive within my team and inspiring them to achieve even greater success in the future.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mike Miller, Marcus Wesson, and Terri Bevaqua for entrusting us with our inaugural project at Bungalow 5. I’m immensely grateful to David Trachtenberg for his exceptional editing work on a 17-spot package for Honda and Acura Financial. With this milestone accomplishment under our belt, we are officially open for business!
For inquiries or to request a curated reel for your upcoming advertising campaign, please don’t hesitate to email at [email protected].
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey with us!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In essence, I believe that honesty, kindness, and good old hard work are the true ingredients for achieving genuine success. Like my mom thought me, “do it well… or don’t do it at all”.
Success cannot be quantified solely by the numbers in your bank account, your job title, or the trophies adorning your shelves. Rather, it’s measured by the richness of the journey, the joy experienced along the way, and the enduring bonds formed with friends.
Ultimately, it’s how we make others feel and the level of respect we show towards them that leaves a lasting impact. Though the path may be hard at times, being human and staying true to our values is what truly matters. Be authentic, be kind, the reward will be larger than you can imagine.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My journey has been shaped by incredible mentors and opportunities that propelled my professional growth. These individuals not only guided me but also believed in my potential to contribute to their companies’ success.
First and foremost, I owe much of my foundation to my beloved parents, whose unconditional love, beautiful life lessons, and unwavering support laid the groundwork for my endeavors.
Professionally, I’m deeply grateful for the guidance of mentors like Bill Marmor and Allison Nunn. Bill, my first mentor in the industry, imparted invaluable knowledge of the post-production process and patiently mentored me when I was so challenged with English as my second language. Allison, a founding figure at Rex Edit, not only nurtured my producing skills but also entrusted me with significant responsibilities, culminating in my appointment as Executive Producer at the young age of 27. She had always intended for me to take over her role once she retired. Allison had my back and she gave me wings! I was blessed! Bill Marmor is now on my roster at Bungalow 5. Kindness goes a long way!
n 2008, I was hired by Jump NY to establish Jump Editorial’s office in LA. This experience taught me the importance of initiative and perseverance, leading to significant growth and success for Jump LA. Michael Saia, decisiveness and fast moving pace taught me a lot .
In 2012, Craig Duncan, then Executive Producer at Cutters recruited me as Executive Producer for Cutters Los Angeles. Cutters LA needed a repositioning and growth. Craig’s motivational leadership style and collaborative spirit fueled our efforts to expand Cutters LA, resulting in significant growth and the establishment of Cutters Studios. This period underscored the significance of kindness, exemplified by the management team in Chicago, who facilitated collaboration to achieve collective success.
In 2020, I made the decision to relocate to Canada to be closer to my family, which led me to begin my role as an Executive Producer at Rodeo FX. This opportunity was extended to me by Isabelle Langlois, an Executive at Rodeo FX, who I found to be exceptionally intelligent, highly organized, driven, yet laid-back. Under her guidance, I came to appreciate the significance of statistical analysis within an organization, recognizing both its advantages and drawbacks. During my tenure at Rodeo FX, the company experienced substantial growth, expanding from approximately 580 employees to just under 1000, making it the largest company I had ever worked for and the largest independently owned VFX company in North America. Despite the challenges posed by remote work, the company maintained a supportive and collaborative environment, with kind and helpful colleagues amidst the chaos. My time at Rodeo FX was immensely enriching, and I learned more in two years than I had in the previous decade. I am deeply grateful to Sébastien Moreau (owner), Graeme Marshall (Producer), Sébastien Francoeur (VFX Supervisor) for their unwavering support and willingness to assist.
While the editorial and VFX shops were pivotal parts of my journey, I also gained valuable insights from the support of the producers and creatives in advertising agencies or studio with whom I collaborated. Ultimately, they are the ones I aspire to continue my career.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://bungalow5.tv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josianneameliecote
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/josiannecote
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