From Acting to Producing: Kotsen’s Journey in the Film Industry

The Journey from Acting to Producing: Kotsen’s Creative Evolution

In an industry where transitions are often challenging, Kotsen’s shift from acting to producing illustrates a dynamic career path. “It was a character where I had to scream, a character where I had to cry, a character with a lot of emotional layers,” she recalls of her acting days. “It was like a band of girls having the time of our lives.”

Kotsen, who honed her acting skills with six Virginia Players productions and short films through Doug Grissom’s Overcranked course, even secured a role in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” However, while filming in New York City, a producer noted Kotsen’s keen interest in behind-the-scenes work, leading her to shift her focus from acting to producing.

After earning a degree in economics and media studies from UVA in 2021, Kotsen pursued the Peter Stark Producing program at the University of Southern California, where she now occasionally lectures.

By April 2025, Kotsen had joined A/Vantage Pictures as a producer, where she plays a pivotal role in steering films from inception to distribution. Her responsibilities include story development, collaborating with writers and directors, problem-solving on set, and managing the intricate logistics of film production.

Among her diverse projects is “They Fight,” a drama adapted from a 2018 documentary. This film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is now on Hulu, tells the story of a former convict returning to a Washington, D.C., youth boxing gym, aiming to guide local teens while seeking redemption.

Kotsen credits her creative grounding to her experiences at UVA. “The thing that I loved most about UVA was the breadth of people who go there. I got to see so many different perspectives,” she notes. “I got to talk to so many different people, and I really learned a lot about myself and the world.”

Currently engaged in various future projects, Kotsen expresses a deep respect for the lengthy efforts behind filmmaking. “I cry whenever the credits come on at the end of a movie,” she admits. “I just know how much effort all of those people listed put into getting this production made, whether it took them two years, which would be insane, or it took them 20, which is honestly more likely than you think.”

In February, Kotsen was involved on set for Ramin Bahrani’s upcoming film, “Vegas: A Love Story,” featuring Brandon Sklenar, Maika Monroe, Paul Dano, and Judy Greer. Her company also completed filming on the thriller “Left Seat,” starring Richard Gere and Michelle Rodriguez.

Additionally, Kotsen is set to executive produce the short film “The Mushroom Man” with Cate Blanchett’s production company. She shows a particular interest in narratives focusing on women and underrepresented cultures that connect with a wider audience.

“I’m always trying to find niche perspectives that feel relatable to a larger audience,” Kotsen explains. “I think that I’m able to discover and find those projects because of how interesting everybody I met at UVA was.”