Producer Grivas Kopti on His Career and the Importance of Human Stories
Many vocations are predicated upon being exceptional at one thing. Producer Grivas Kopti has made a career based on being exceptional at nearly everything. While you might surmise his work as enabling and empowering the storytelling of others, that would be a gross summarization. Fashioning storylines, liaising with nearly every department and cast member, ensuring travel and legal aspects are perfectly implemented; Kopti is the hub around which many of his cast and crew gravitate. His brand is calm execution; his identity is perfect execution. The wide range of types of shows he has produced confirms his ability to transfer his skill set to any tone or subject matter. Network, streaming, web-based, the medium does not indicate the success of these productions as much as Kopti’s skill and dedication. The most prominent characteristic of his work is that Grivas is constantly attached to stories which enable the viewer to find something of themselves in those on-screen.
At first glance, nothing could seem less familiar to the average viewer than a show titled Celebs Go Dating. As associate producer on this Lime Pictures reality/dating show, Grivas helped to communicate how the famous are as susceptible as the rest of us to uneasiness in the search of romance. Channel 4’s (UK) television program Naked Attraction was one of the most popular programs of 2016 with ratings spiking upwards of 2 million viewers per episode. What might seem salacious to American viewers was actually an enlightening cultural experience. Kopti remarks, “I saw the contributors go on a journey, which was inspiring. They learned so much about themselves. Many learned to truly appreciate their body and what made it unique. Being complimented on your shapely thighs that you always thought were fat is so lovely and precious. We are bombarded with messages daily by mainstream media on how we should look and what and who we should find beautiful. In a subtle way, we wanted to call BS on that and tell the truth, inspiring our considerably big influential audience of the 16–35 age bracket. Not one size or color fits all and beautiful can be many things.”
For a show that promotes a different type of healthy mindset, Grivas produced NBC’s The Titan Games. This competition/sport/reality, hosted by Dwayne Johnson, presents physical challenges meant for the most elite of athletes. Personal stories of the competitors riveted viewers, resulting in the Peacock Network’s first non-sports Thursday win in almost two years. The physical and mental demands of this competition were remarkable but it was the personal stories of those taking part which bonded viewers to the show. Kopti pitched many of the show’s cast to NBC executives, including season one champion Charity Witt. He recalls, “Her story is one of struggle, triumph, and hope. She left home at age fifteen, working as a cook and a janitor; sometimes even sleeping in the kitchen where she worked. Charity was diagnosed with a heart condition. Her refusal to let any obstacle or opponent dominate her during the competition communicates what The Titan Games is truly about; heart. I’m immensely proud to produce a show that displays the greatness we can all strive to find within us.” Following the success of The Titan Games, Grivas is producing FOX’s new series Big Bounce Battle. Currently in development, this obstacle course reality series takes place on trampolines in the vein of American Ninja Warrior. Kopti is also contributing as producer on American Ninja Warrior Jr for Universal Kids.
FOX’s singing competition The Four featured rapper, record producer, and music manager Sean Combs, rapper and music producer DJ Khaled, and singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor as celebrity judges. Kopti was an integral part of the success of the show as evidenced by the fact that he was the sole producer for season one winner Evvie McKinney. The pace of a television program like this is often frantic. Producing in the field with a camera and sound crew to cast and judge interviews on set and even overseeing the post-production organizing/editing; Grivas concedes that creating the proper content is all consuming. He notes, “Relationships are just as important as ability. You have to do the work expertly but you also get the best from others by earning their trust and respecting their abilities. Whether I’m working with Sean Combs, contestants, or my camera crew, it’s my ability to communicate honestly and respectfully that makes things move along more easily.” The Four received the National Film & Television Award for Best Talent Show. It was quickly approved by FOX for season two and picked up by Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Greece, Israel, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Peru, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and Spain. Kopti is currently working on the pilot for FOX’s reality singing competition I Can See Your Voice.
Grivas professes that the most important stories to him are the human stories. The numerous ratings earning and award winning television programs which he has produced are presented in the container of athleticism, romance, or artistic expression but the essence of each is attaining the best version of one’s self. Kopti reinforces, “I take the responsibility of delivering the personal stories of these people seriously. I’m always aware that there is someone watching who might be questioning what they can demand of themselves; it’s an honor to be a part of creating it”
