Supporting Diversity in the Film Industry ~ Interview with AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Executive Producer Trinh Tran

When I was in Los Angeles for the Christopher Robin premiere a few weeks ago, I also had the amazing experience to visit Madame Tussauds on Hollywood Boulevard to see the Marvel exhibit, watch a bonus showcase of AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, and interview Executive Producer Trinh Tran.

I was so excited when I found out I’d be interviewing her, because she was on the stage, right next to Victoria Alonso on the AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR premiere, and she just exuded the energy of an empowered woman.

In his speech that night, Robert Downey Jr. spoke about diversity in the film industry and with Victoria Alonso, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Executive Producer and Marvel Studios’ EVP of Physical Production, and AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Executive Producer, Trinh Tran, front and center, it is obvious that Marvel takes this issue seriously.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Executive Producer Trinh Tran is an inspiring example that dreams come true. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of being part of the movies she watched. Her parents did not quite understand this dream and reminded her that she was a female – a woman of color. Her determination to push through all of that was tangible:

I want to do what I’m passionate about and I’m gonna do my best. I’m gonna work hard. I’m gonna surround myself with positive people.

And speaking of positive people, I asked Executive Producer Trinh Tran what it was like to work with Victoria Alonzo, because I know she’s a Marvel Power Mom and she’s all about women supporting women.

She is amazing. She’s one of the Top 3 at Marvel and I actually used to be her assistant for a period of time. She is so supportive. Marvel’s so wonderful because everybody’s very supportive and positive and really try to nurture your career. And Victoria especially, since day one, brought me over to – to be with her and really allow me to just grow. She’s an advocate for bringing more women into the film industry. We need more!

I wish we can all be in the story meetings together. And I think that it is important we have such a different perspective and we need more of that in the industry. And she is a fighter for that which I really love. I’d love to see more and more of that. We’re doing more and more of that at Marvel, which is amazing.

As an Executive Producer, she is part of the creative process and sits together with the writers, and directors, coming up with the best ideas together and taking the movie all the way through shooting, being on the set everyday, following it through in post production, being in Editorial every single day, night, holiday,.

I remember actually the last day we called Wrap and we had a big cake there and everybody made speeches. As soon as the AD called Wrap, Joe and I ran straight to the airport because we had a 10 AM Editorial call.

The filming of AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR took her away from Los Angeles for a whole year and a half, so shooting two movies back to back was really intense.

The first weekend I had was when “Infinity War” opened. I didn’t know what to do. I think I just sat there like I actually have a weekend, and I can actually enjoy it. And you know, I think a little bit of trying to balance life and work is difficult, I think in any industry and particular, in the film industry. So I think the first weekend I had was really just taking the time to just be with family and getting back into sort of the life so it felt good but now we’re wrapping and onto the next one so I’m excited about that. It doesn’t end.

It takes effort and sacrifices to achieve your dream… and it’s all worth it, because at the end of the day, you know you are fulfilling your purpose and doing what you were meant to be. INFINITY WAR Executive Producer Trinh Tran has some advice for young women that have a dream, especially a dream that involves being part of the film industry.

I would say don’t worry. Just go on a journey and don’t worry about the outcome, because ten years ago, never did I imagine that I would be right here, producing two of the biggest Marvel Movies. And I think also just embrace your difference. Films are stronger when ideas are generated and questioned by different perspectives.

Who we are and the way we think, is really important and it matters, so as a female and as a minority, I think it’s so important that I embrace it and I’m learning that every day too is that it’s okay to be in a room, and sometimes, I am among all males who some of them have over 20 years of experience and I’m sitting there and sometimes I feel a little intimidated. And it’s like do I speak up? No I can’t but it’s all about if you let your perspective shine, there’s a great story that can we can all agree will be great.

A very key piece of our conversation is that sometimes your dream takes you in unexpected directions.

Trinh Tran confessed that she didn’t grow up reading Comics as some of her colleagues did, but when she walked into Marvel, she fell in love with “Ironman.”

I fell in love with the Character and I just knew — I knew, this is the company I want to be in business with. This is the type of movie I want to work on.

Her journey took a turn in 2014 during Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where she served as Creative Executive, and she’s been integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films ever since.

She expressed being in shock when Kevin Feige asked her to spearhead AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR but he obviously saw her greatness and she certainly did not disappoint!

Now that AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is available on Digital and coming soon to Blu-ray (August 14!), Executive Producer Trinh Tran feels relieved to be able to talk about the movie after 2 years of keeping secrets.

You’ll be able to learn more about AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR on the bonus features, but I’ll share some interesting bits about the movie according to Executive Producer Trihn Tran.

For Executive Producer Trinh Tran, the main message of AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is the conversation about Thanos:

What he’s doing is absolutely wrong but his belief he feels so strongly about. 

As far as the character that really stood out for Executive Producer Trinh Tran in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR was Gamora.

I think she really shines in this one and I didn’t really get to see as much of that from Guardians 1 and 2, and we really wanted to give her a prominent role next to Thanos so I think her evolution and her back story and having to be able to tell her side and her relationship with Thanos was really important her.

But being away for such a long time wasn’t the only challenge to make AVENGERS 3 and AVENGERS 4 back to back and somewhat on top of each other.

Getting the cast together! This is the biggest cast that we’ve ever had in Hollywood, the amount of talent that we have! So to be able to actually bring them all together, even to shoot one scene, was pretty challenging but we have the best people.

My friend Mitch asked who the Diva was (you’d think there’d be at least one with such a big cast), but Executive Producer said “there really isn’t a Diva.” She said they are all so friendly!

When asked which Avenger she’d like to be, though, she went for one that wasn’t on AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR and also my favorite!

I know Captain Marvel is not Infinity War but she’s the one. I’m looking forward to her movie and I think it’s about time… She’s so strong and what’s so important is that she embodies leadership and we got to have more of that especially female so I’m looking forward to March when this movie comes out.

Ummm so am I!!!

I think by now everyone in the planet has seen AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR since it did shatter all movie records worldwide, but in case you haven’t, this is A SPOILER and a CLUE to the upcoming AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR II or AVENGERS 4 movie:

I won’t get into it much because I don’t want to spoil anything but there is a specific reason why some of these people survive. … I was pretty heartbroken when we decided that Peter Parker had to go. 

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to interview Executive Producer Trinh Tran. I can see why she’s made it so far in her career and I think we can expect more amazing achievements from her.

I am also so happy I got to screen some bonus features from AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR at Madame Tussauds Hollywood and experience the waxing process to make my hand into an Infinity Gauntlet made out of wax.

That is such a cool souvenir! Besides taking pictures with my favorite Marvel Superheroes, I also took pictures with some iconic wax figures on display.

Wings… because I believe I can fly. Well, I don’t, but I really like that song.

Lady Gaga, because “I Was Born This Way” and because I relate to “Til It Happens To You”

Wolverine – well, no explanation needed, but I did get on the bike to try and copy Andrew’s picture.

Dorothy, because I learned so many lessons from The Wizard of Oz.

The Godfather, because my daddy likes it, even though I have never (and will probably never) seen it. The Tito Puente Hollywood Star right outside Madame Tussauds Hollywood, because Myrah and I love to salsa.

The Graduate, because my dad made up my name after “Elaine Robinson” and “The Sound of Silence” is my favorite song. Selena, because “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo.” Michael Jackson, forever The King of Pop, because his music helped me learn English and love dance. Innocent: because I am LOL  Grease, because I can go from “hopelessly devoted” to “you better shape up.” ET because I have owned an “Alien Card” and I get homesick a lot.

Betty White, because I want to be just like her when I grow up.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s — because that’s all we got!

Thank you for indulging my silliness. I had so much fun with my buddy Meg taking these pictures! I’ll be sharing more on Instagram, so make sure you’re following me there.

How do you feel about diversity in the film industry? I am looking forward to your answers in the comment section below!

Stay up to date by visiting the official Marvel AVENGERS website and stay connected by following AVENGERS on Twitter, liking AVENGERS on Facebook, and following AVENGERS on Instagram. Be also sure to follow the hashtags #InfinityWar and #InfinityWarEvent.

Elayna is a single mom of 4, award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 4x TEDx speaker. Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results, so you can have the wealth, opportunities, and freedom you deserve. Connect with Elayna Fernández at thepositivemom.com/keynote-speaker and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.

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