Schwarzman Session - Crafting the Hollywood Dream: A Conversation with Shawn Levy

Schwarzman Sessions are peer-led gatherings where conversations generate collaborations and move ideas into action. Because seats are limited, registrants will be automatically placed on the waitlist and will be notified via email if they are selected to participate. 

Engage in dialogue with industry powerhouse Shawn Levy, YC ’89, P ’25—director and producer who successfully transitioned from studying performing arts to being one of the highest-grossing filmmakers in the history of Hollywood—on navigating the opportunities and obstacles of the entertainment industry. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Schwarzman Center. We provide the table. You bring the conversation!

Some of the question we will explore include: How can young, creative graduates get a start in the film industry? In what ways can an aspiring actor, writer, or director nurture their unique, artistic voice across today’s film and television landscape? 

As the Founder of 21 Laps Entertainment, whose central mandate is dedicated to empowering filmmakers’ voice and vision, Levy’s genre-defining projects are distinguished by a quality of character, humanism, and heart that has launched multiple franchises, and changed the cultural zeitgeist. From his Night at the Museum franchise, to Arrival, Stranger Things, Free Guy and Deadpool & Wolverine, Shawn Levy’s work has been embraced by audiences around the world.  The Session will shine light on the challenges of entering this influential industry, from navigating pre- and post-production developments, coping with rejection, to maintaining creative clarity and perseverance.

About the Lead Sessionist

Shawn Levy, YC ’89, P ’25

Industry powerhouse Shawn Levy is the creator, director and producer of some of the era’s most acclaimed and successful film and television content and the founder of 21 Laps Entertainment. Known for his masterful command of performance, action and tone, Levy’s genre-defining projects are distinguished by a quality of character, humanism and heart that has launched multiple franchises and in so doing, has changed the cultural zeitgeist.

Most recently, Levy directed, produced and co-wrote Marvel’s DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen. The film released on July 26 and was embraced by critics and audiences alike, instantly becoming a global success that broke numerous box office records - including the biggest R rated opening of all time and the highest-grossing R-rated movie in film history. Deadpool & Wolverine has grossed over $1.3 billion at the global box office and is now officially the 20th most successful movie of all time.

Levy earned DGA and PGA nominations for directing and producing the Golden Globe®-nominated Netflix limited series ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The powerful cast includes Hugh Laurie, Mark Ruffalo, Louis Hofmann and newcomer Aria Mia Loberti. The series explores the world of Marie-Laure (Loberti), a blind French teenage girl, and Werner (Hofmann), a German soldier, whose paths cross in occupied France during World War II. ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE premiered on Netflix on November 2, 2023 and debuted at No.1 on the Netflix TV Top 10 chart. Levy is also set to direct an upcoming STAR WARS film and an international heist comedy starring Ryan Reynolds for Netflix.

21 Laps has an overall TV deal with Netflix and is rigorously committed to empowering filmmakers’ voice and vision, while remaining devoted to crafting stories built for audience connection and delight. Their wildly successful theatrical films have grossed $5 billion at the worldwide box office. The 21 Laps-produced 2024 Netflix series THE PERFECT COUPLE, starring Nicole Kidman, released on September 5 and has remained in Netflix's most popular series list since its premiere. In 2022, 21 Laps produced Netflix’s groundbreaking and Emmy®-winning STRANGER THINGS, as well as Netflix’s Most Streamed Movie THE ADAM PROJECT, also directed by Levy. STRANGER THINGS season 4 and THE ADAM PROJECT are among Netflix’s top 5 most popular of all time and season 3 of STRANGER THINGS is among the top 10. The year prior, Levy’s FREE GUY was the highest grossing original film of 2021. 21 Laps is also credited as associate producer to Netflix’s STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW. The West End play won several awards in 2024 including two Olivier®Awards, two Critics’ Circle® Awards and a WhatsOnStage® Award.

Additional 21 Laps films and series include the Academy Award®-nominated ARRIVAL, THE SPECTACULAR NOW, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, SHADOW AND BONE, LAST MAN STANDING, THE BOOGEYMAN and UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. Levy directed the blockbuster NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM franchise, REAL STEEL, THE INTERNSHIP, DATE NIGHT and THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU.Upcoming for 21 Laps includes Netflix’s NEVER LIE, based on Freida McFadden's hit novel, ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, NO GOOD VERY BAD ROAD TRIP starring Eva Longoria and George Lopez for Disney+ and STRANGER THINGS Season 5.