About | Carlo Treviso | Integrated Producer

I always like to say, "everything is figureoutable." It's how I’ve approached every challenge in my career as an agency producer and storyteller, and it all started with Ray Bradbury— the legendary author best known for his sci-fi masterpiece, “Fahrenheit 451.”

When I was in film school, I wanted to adapt one of Bradbury's short stories called "The Rocket Man" for my senior thesis film project. (Yes, it was the same story that inspired Elton John’s iconic song). But my professor shut it down, saying I couldn’t do it unless I got permission from Ray Bradbury himself.

My heart sank. How was I supposed to make that happen?

That night, uncertain about my next steps, I went to a film screening at the student union theater to clear my head.

As I sat there, explaining my predicament to a friend beside me, the girl in front of us turned around and asked, “Sorry to eavesdrop, but did you just say Ray Bradbury?”

I nodded.

She smiled. "My boyfriend works for Ray Bradbury’s official biographer, who also happens to be a professor here. Why don’t you come to his book-signing next week? Maybe I can introduce you, and he might be able to connect you with Ray."

My jaw dropped at the sheer cosmic alignment of it all.

A week later, I met Bradbury's biographer at his book-signing, told him my story, and he handed me

Bradbury’s home address. "Write him a letter, tell him I sent you, and be very affectionate,” he said.

So, I did.

Two weeks later, I received a signed letter from Ray Bradbury himself—giving me his blessing to produce the film.

I walked into my professor’s office, placed the letter down on his desk, and said, "I’m making The Rocket Man.”

And just like that, I was off to the races, producing the film.

But the story didn’t end there.

After it was finished, I screened the film at the Apple Store in downtown Chicago, and in the audience was an executive producer from a local advertising agency. He liked what he saw, and low and behold, gave me my first job as a producer in the industry.

That entire experience shaped how I work today—no matter the obstacle, I believe there’s always a way forward. Because at the end of the day, "everything is figureoutable."

Oh, and there's just one more thing…

In Ray Bradbury's original note to me, he wrote: “...Send me copies of your films when they are finished.”

After completing the film, I sent him a DVD, along with a letter expressing my profound gratitude for the impact he had on a young film student’s life.

A few days later, my phone rang.

A voice on the other end spoke softly, “Hi, is this Carlo?”

I said it was.

The voice continued, “Hi, this is Ray Bradbury. I’m calling to let you know I received your package…”

My jaw dropped…again.

Ray had taken the time to reach out. A legend whose words had shaped my imagination was now on the other end of the line, speaking directly to me.

In that moment, I wasn’t just a film student, or an ad agency producer, or even the young dreamer who had first written to him.

I was simply a Storyteller connecting with another Storyteller.

And that, I realized, was perhaps the greatest lesson of all: Storytelling is the ultimate bridge.

Between past and future, between dreams and reality.

It carries voices across time, forges human connection, and inspires future generations to act, to live, and to love, long after the pen is set down.

(I've placed the signed letter from Ray below)