The American University of Rome recently had the pleasure of welcoming back alumna Chevonne O’Shaughnessy (BUS ’89) to its campus. O’Shaughnessy, a member of one of AUR's earliest graduating cohorts, has since established herself as a prominent film producer and distributor. She now serves as the President of American Cinema International, a company renowned for its global production and distribution of film entertainment.
During her visit, O’Shaughnessy participated in Professor Theron Patterson’s Film Workshop class, where she shared invaluable insights from her extensive career in the film industry. Students were captivated by her detailed accounts of negotiating at international film markets like Cannes, managing licensing and advance rights, and budgeting for film distribution. Notably, she discussed her strategic approach to transforming a single film script into a series of fifty films for a television network, highlighting her acumen in marketing and trend prediction, which has been essential to her success.
O’Shaughnessy’s visit was a testament to her achievements and her commitment to giving back to the AUR community. Her discussions emphasized the importance of perseverance and innovation in a competitive, male-dominated field and her ability to seize opportunities effectively.
As O’Shaughnessy plans more frequent visits to Rome to see her family, the AUR community looks forward to future engagements with this distinguished alumna and industry leader.
For more on Chevonne O’Shaughnessy’s career and her insights into becoming a successful movie producer, listen to her interview on the Mamas Con Ganas podcast "Becoming a Successful Movie Producer with Chevonne O’Shaughnessy."
