SM: What’s something you wish you knew when starting out?
Juvonen: I knew nothing, so it’s not like I could put my finger on one thing. We had a list, at one point, where we wrote down that Hal Ashby would be a great director. He was dead. It’s one of those things where you go, “All right. Cool. Got it.” I don’t believe in regret. I think we made tons of mistakes. I think you learn from those more so than your victories.

SM: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Juvonen: It’s undeniably fun to work in Hollywood. There are those moments—whether it’s that you’re in the middle of production or you’re watching your movie. It’s fun to be able to make believe, to tell stories and bring them to life. Anything’s possible here. Breaking the rules is encouraged.

SM: What’s the last rule you broke?
Juvonen: That’s a good question! It’s funny. You want to think outside the box, but that can backfire. The key is to get out into the world. Ride in coach. Whatever it is that [makes it] you and the people. Hollywood can also have that feeling that you’re locked in a castle, on top of a hill. It’s one thing to make movies for yourself, but that’s not what we’re hired to do. We’re hired to make movies for as many people as we can. You need to watch the news and try to figure out pop culture.

SM: Is the job overwhelming at moments?
Juvonen: Sure! If you’re the manager of a restaurant, it’s the same thing. You have to make sure everything in the kitchen is going well—that the food is fresh, that you’ve got enough choices on the menu, that enough people walk into the restaurant, that the atmosphere works, that the people who are serving are right… There are many levels and you can’t do each one. I can’t seat everybody at each table, but I can make sure I’ve hired the best person who can. It’s a team effort. I believe that everyone is equal in the crew. Every single component is crucial to making that day. It’s silly to be shocked that a problem comes in. When I first started producing, one of the things that affected me most was other producers’ panic. After a few movies, I realized that panic doesn’t help. If problems don’t happen, then what job do I have?