Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny De La Fuente & Catie Hankins
Hi Jenny De La Fuente & Catie Hankins, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Catie and I, both actors craving greater agency over our careers, discovered that production was the key. We “matched” on Facebook and arranged a coffee date that turned into a five-hour conversation, sparking a genuine friendship. We started collaborating on the web series “New Me,” and later on the short film “Somewhere You Feel Free.” This partnership laid the foundation for Pink Mud Productions, a narrative and commercial production company. Our shared vision and passion for character-driven storytelling inspired us to create a company where we could take full creative control and support other artists in the process. Today, we continue to produce and act in our own projects, including the short film “GoodWill,” directed by Elena Kent, while also developing more episodes for “New Me.”Additionally, Jenny is in the early stages of writing her first feature film. On the commercial side, we are passionate about health and wellness, focusing on collaborating with brands and businesses that promote an ethically healthy lifestyle.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Filmmaking is never an easy ride, but for us, it’s worth every challenge. Like most filmmakers, we face numerous obstacles—financial, creative, and beyond. We don’t deny these bumps in the road, but we refuse to let them defeat us. One of our main values at Pink Mud Productions is to lead from a place of enthusiasm and optimism. We embrace these challenges as opportunities to surpass or lessons to learn from, continually driving us forward with renewed energy and resilience. Collaboration, though not always easy, is at the heart of what we do. We strive to create an empathetic environment where every team member feels heard while maintaining the project’s alignment with our vision. Knowing when to stand firm and when to adapt is a skill in itself. We love working with people we admire and trust creatively, especially those who bring a sense of sportsmanship to the team, particularly in leadership roles. Sometimes, the biggest challenge of all is moving from the “I want to” to the “I do” mindset.
We’ve been impressed with Pink Mud Productions , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pink Mud Productions is a narrative and commercial production company based in Austin, Texas, co-founded by actors Catie and Jenny. We specialize in character-driven storytelling across various mediums, including web series, short films, and commercial content, with a deep commitment to aesthetics and emotional resonance. Our unique blend of acting and producing expertise allows us to empower other artists and bring compelling stories to life with passion and precision. We deeply care about the aesthetics of our work, driven by our romantic hearts and dedication to creating visually and emotionally captivating content. What sets us apart is our focus on collaborating with creatives who strive to be their best and our commitment to fostering an empathetic environment where every team member’s voice is heard while maintaining the project’s vision. We are particularly proud of our collaborative approach and our emphasis on health and wellness in our commercial work, promoting ethically healthy lifestyles. Our greatest strength is our ability to ensure that projects are completed with dedication and effectiveness.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality we believe is most important to our success is a blend of romance, resilience, and playfulness. We embrace authentic expression, emotional resonance, and vulnerability, celebrating beauty and aesthetics in all our work. We face uncertainty with grace, learning from setbacks and adapting with resilience, viewing obstacles as stepping stones to unforeseen opportunities. Playfulness is also crucial; we foster a joyful and enthusiastic environment, aligning on shared goals to work together effectively. This combination of embracing deep emotional connections, adapting to challenges, and maintaining a playful spirit drives our success and fuels our creative process.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://pinkmudproductions.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/pinkmudproductions/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/pinkmudproductions
- Twitter: https://x.com/pinkmudprod
Image Credits
Karen Lawlor
