Culture | April 29th, 2025
Dwight Caines & Jacqueline Coley dive into ‘Seen on the Screen’
By: Nadia Lloyd
A recent roundtable interview for the podcast, ‘Seen on the Screen’, sparked an anticipated
conversation about the film industry, it offered creator insights, and background on the personal journeys behind the show. Created by Make it Universal and Rotten Tomatoes, the bi-weekly podcast hosted by Rotten Tomatoes Awards Editor, Jacqueline Coley, offers a behind-the-scenes look into the personal narratives and remarkable culture driving Universal Pictures.
The interview session held on April 8 was conducted by students at various universities, some of which included Florida A&M University, University of Southern California, and Purdue University. Universal Pictures’ President of Domestic Marketing, Dwight Caines, and host Jacqueline Coley discussed how they each found their way into storytelling, and how the evolving entertainment industry has shaped their paths.
Bridging Passion and Profession: The Journeys of Caines and Coley
Although both are passionate about film and television, their backgrounds had some unexpected stops. Despite wanting to study writing as an undergraduate, Coley pursued business and healthcare. Meanwhile, Caines earned his degree in media production but spent years working at Chase Bank before entering the entertainment world. During that time, both leaned into freelance writing to keep their creative aspirations alive.
“I was an aspiring screenwriter, hoping to write and produce for TV and film,” Caines said. He added that while his early career didn’t reflect his creative passions, the skill set was always there. “I started working in the research department at Sony Pictures… what was in my soul as a storyteller, I get to do as a marketer. I didn’t get to produce movies, but Jacqueline and I got to produce this podcast together.”
A self-proclaimed “comic book nerd,” Caines also discussed how Universal engages with audiences through methods such as early screenings. One of which was the recent premiere of the movie ‘Drop’ at AMC Tallahassee 20 earlier this month. He emphasized the importance of preserving the communal moviegoing experience.
“We’re always vying for making the consumer feel the promise of the movie — better seen with friends than a group of strangers, better on the biggest screen with the best sound, better as a destination,” Caines explains. Providing the example, “Comedy doesn’t play the same way on a living room couch or in your bedroom. It plays better in a crowd.”
Coley’s journey into the industry was equally inspiring. While navigating a tough job market at 33 years-old she returned to graduate school, all while still was freelancing, she eventually landed her role at Rotten Tomatoes, proving that passion has no expiration date. “It’s never too late,” Coley said.
Coley also voiced her thoughts on the future of media consumption, advocating for a physical media comeback amid the dominance of streaming services.
“One of my soapbox things — I personally feel that the DVDs and physical renaissance is in its infancy. I believe streaming services have eroded the trust,” Coley said, adding that the inconsistency of digital libraries is pushing consumers to reconsider. “You have to have like fifteen streaming services. It costs more than cable, and the inconsistencies with what you’re able to get each month kind of make it feel like you’d rather just go back to Blockbuster instead.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Storytellers
Together, Caines and Coley’s experiences embody what ‘Seen on the Screen’ represents— an exploration of authentic voices, the unique culture at Universal, and the unseen creators shaping the entertainment industry. Reflecting on his time as a student, Caines shared that he didn’t have professors who looked like him, adding that many students studying film or entertainment today aren’t fully aware of the diversity of roles they might encounter. This podcast offers genuine insight into these roles by having notable guests such as director Jon M. Chu, composer Kris Bowers, and Focus Features Chairman Peter Kujawski. Caines highlighted that this podcast solidifies his desire to be a mentor, leaving listeners with an inspiring thought:
“If you see it, you can be it.”
