Paula Haifley

Animation Executive, A24

Paula has been working in animation, film, and television for over a decade. Throughout her illustrious career, she has produced kids' shows, adult shows, musicals, comedy, action, and horror (her personal favorite genre).

Paula most recently produced Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K., Fox’s Central Park, and DC Super Hero Girls, one of the first action shows made by a major studio for girls. She currently works as an Animation Executive specializing in physical production at A24.

You’ve held several different positions throughout your career. What unique skills did you acquire from them?

I’ve basically been on the path for an exec position my whole career without realizing it. Animation is one of the few places in the industry where you can find a clear path from entry-level PA to a producing or exec gig. My job has definitely made me more organized and much more of a planner — I even make spreadsheets for vacations now!

You produced DC Super Hero Girls, one of the first action shows made by a major studio for girls. Can you describe this experience?

Making an action shows for girls, and seeing them come to events cosplaying as characters you created for them — there’s nothing like that feeling. As a kid, I often wasn’t allowed by the boys to play with them unless it was a side-lined female character. I had to be the princess in the tower so they could rescue me.

DC Super Hero Girls continued that conversation about girls saving themselves, their team, and the whole world while also showing strong female friendships. I’m so happy that we’re starting to move away from the whole “boys won’t watch shows for girls, but girls will watch anything so let’s make mostly boy shows” mentality. There should be shows out there for everyone, no matter how you identify.

How would you describe your job as an Animation Executive at A24?

It’s producing, but producing several shows at once — current series, shows in development, and projects in post. I oversee all of it once we start any sort of production.

Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.

Central Park

DC Super Hero Girls

What compelled you to pursue a career in animation?

I met the executive assistant from Shadow Machine at a film; I heard her say “Robot Chicken” and introduced myself to ask if they were hiring. I got an internship from this connection a few weeks later. This chance encounter led to something I loved and have been doing ever since.

You’re a self-proclaimed horror-fanatic. Are you looking to explore this genre within animation?

I love being scared. Horror is also a great metaphor for whatever point you want to make about what’s going on in the world, for tapping into people’s real fears in a visceral way that also lets them explore things safely. I would love to tell a million and one animated horror stories. So far I have only managed horror-adjacent ones.

What did you learn from your time working at Warner Bros. Animation?

I was at Warner Bros. for a good chunk of time, learning all the fundamentals about how to make a show in many different ways. Scheduling, breaking things down, learning how long everything takes to draw and what you can do for what budget — all of this is what you need to know how to be a good producer.

More about Paula!

  • First Job

    A clerk at a video store. I was so excited thinking that I would be working with other cinephiles, but it was just a bunch of teens goofing off.

  • Favorite Movie

    An American Werewolf in London — best horror comedy ever made, and will probably never be equaled.

  • Most Rewarding Project

    All of them. Every day that I get to do what I love is rewarding.