Roberto Stopello, showrunner and series developer at Netflix
Roberto Stopello, showrunner and series developer at Netflix, spoke with Richard Izarra on #PRODUprimetime about his five years at the platform as VP of Development for Mexico. He also shared insights into his new role, an exclusive contract with Netflix that allows him to write his own stories while balancing his family life.
During his conversation with Richard Izarra, Stopello emphasized that the creative process is significantly enhanced by the exchange of ideas with talented individuals. He shared experiences collaborating with renowned figures like Leonardo Padrón, Chascas Valenzuela, Alberto Barrera, Pablo Illanes, Leticia López, Pepe Spataro, and many others. As both a Netflix executive and a writer, Stopello explained that these collaborative discussions have been invaluable to his professional growth.
“It was an extraordinary journey that involved a deep learning process as I sought to understand each writer’s perspective,” Stopello commented. He explained that even in seemingly hopeless narrative situations, his ability to “open windows” by leveraging writing techniques proved invaluable. Moreover, he found it fascinating to engage in debates about unresolved plot points and gain insights into these writers’ creative processes.
He is passionate about data, audience behavior, and analyzing dramatic structures. This knowledge equips him to effectively contribute to creative discussions.
Since leaving his role as VP of Development, Stopello has remained involved in all the projects he initiated, with the globally successful Accidente being the most recent. There are still four more projects to be released.
Stopello highlighted the importance of collaborative television creation. “When you make television, you can’t do it alone. The contributions of many hands are crucial to the creative process,” he commented. He emphasized the importance of the entire team aligning with the project and the author’s vision, which aims to captivate the audience. “Television is a collective creative endeavor. Building a team, working together, and empowering individuals is a process I truly enjoy.”
Stopello acknowledges that he still has much to learn. He expressed gratitude for the Netflix Dream Team, which he described as “brilliant people who know their craft and have had extraordinary careers.” He particularly valued the conversations he had with his boss, Francisco Ramos, VP of Content at Netflix.
The ability to listen and recognize the value of everyone’s contributions is essential for effective leadership. Despite leaving his position after a conversation with Ramos about his need to spend more time with his young son, Stopello continues to feel connected to the team.
Stopello highlighted another of Netflix’s strengths: the independence it offers and the room it provides for experimentation. “Netflix encourages and values the independence of all its employees. We have freedom in decision-making and risk-taking, allowing us to create diverse and ambitious content. This is highly celebrated within the company,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of allowing mistakes as a means of learning and discovering new approaches.
Stopello was the driving force behind numerous Latin American Netflix series that gained worldwide recognition, such as Accidente, Pálpito, Pacto de Silencio, Madre de Alquiler, ¿Quién Mató a Sara?, Oscuro Deseo, and more.
“I’m incredibly proud to have achieved global successes with shows that weren’t just popular in Mexico or Colombia, like ‘Perfil engaño,’ but were watched by millions around the world. This speaks volumes about the quality of Latin American television and our ability to captivate audiences worldwide.”
With a 30-year career, he began in theater, working with the renowned Venezuelan group Rajatabla. Under the direction of Carlos Giménez, he adapted various titles for the stage. He then transitioned to television, where he learned from Pilar Romero, whom he considers his mentor. She taught him how to craft compelling dramatic structures for series and telenovelas.
Another significant company in Stopello’s career was Telemundo, where he dedicated 16 years. He wrote successful series like La Reina del Sur and Señora Acero and rose through the ranks to become VP of Development.
One of the greatest advantages of working at Telemundo was the opportunity to learn through trial and error, which allowed him to gauge the audience’s preferences for telenovelas. “In the early years, we experimented with this massive Mexican audience in the US and Mexico,” and eventually they managed to bridge the gap and position Telemundo at the top.
“No one is infallible in this industry,” he recalled, emphasizing the importance of data and understanding audience preferences. “Whenever a show becomes a success, I delve into it, watch it, analyze it, and break it down. This passion for examining and reviewing results might not provide a guaranteed formula for success, but it certainly helps to mitigate risks.”
Now he’s back to creating, driven by the same passion: finding unique ideas that resonate with audiences and crafting series that make a lasting impact.
Watch Roberto Stopello’s interview with Richard Izarra on #PRODUprimetime
