Order Carole's book from Michael Wiese Productions here.
Dave Watson: What led to this book? Is Hollywood wide open? You have a success plan right down to fashion dos and don’ts.
Carole Kirschner: It started one day I lunched with one of Hollywood’s top talent managers, who couldn’t find a good assistant. He said the young people he’d hire just rolled their eyes when he’d ask them to bring him coffee. He couldn’t believe the sense of entitlement he’d dealt with over the previous year.
DW: How long ago was this?
CK: Five or six years. When I broke in to Hollywood, there was no roadmap. I wrote this book to help people with insights I’ve gained along the way.
DW: Section Four is titled “Get Focused.” Is knowing your talents and assets key?
CK: You’re exactly right. You need to focus on what you can do well, and also improvise and roll with what comes your way. You have to adapt yet be really clear on what your talents are and what you want to do.
DW: The “Get Hired” chapter has a checklist for career switching. When and how did you use it?
CK: Actually, I used it when I stopped being an executive and became a consultant. As a consultant, I worked with Chris Davidson to create the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring Program. We are in year 11 and have helped launch the careers of more than 25 television writers of color. I also interviewed many people for this chapter.
DW: Is luck when opportunity meets preparedness? Do you agree with that philosophy?
CK: Yes! There are two kinds of luck. One falls from the sky, but that is a very, very small percentage. The second kind comes when you prepare, prepare, prepare. In “Hollywood Game Plan” I talk about marketing, material, and contact. The material part is creating fantastic material. Marketing comes with creating a brand and focusing on how people perceive you. Contact is about connecting with the right people.
DW: Including the audience, at a particular time.
CK: Absolutely.
DW: In the “Get Going” part of the book you end on a sunny outlook, encouraging people to endure rejection and keep on creating. What inspires you in this direction? Is this a spiritual approach as well as practical?
CK: I hadn’t thought of it as spiritual, but yes. I think if you work hard and give back, good things will happen. Rejection is huge, especially in this industry. One’s ability to bounce back is one of the most important things. If you can do that, you’ll be okay. You have to trust the process, keep working, and you will find your way.
DW: What’s the best part about your job and current work?
CK: I am the luckiest woman in show business. All I do is help people. Whether it’s the CBS Diversity Writers Program or the WGA Showrunner Training Program, my job is to help writers grow and develop in this business. I’ve also worked with private clients – writers, producers, directors and executives -- through Park on the Lot [link to http://parkonthelot.com/], teaching them how to break in, stay in and thrive.
DW: Last question, especially for an industry veteran. Is there a movie moment that has stood out for you over the years, that keeps coming back to you?
CK: I would have to say it’s from “All That Jazz.”
DW: The Bob Fosse film.
CK: Yes. I often picture the main character, in front of the mirror, right after he’s showered and taken all his meds. He finishes getting ready, looks in the mirror and says, “It’s showtime!” I don’t know why…
DW: What does that moment say to you? I still remember these scenes and that moment and I saw the movie over twenty years ago. I think they do it four or five times in the film.
CK: I think even more. It says to me that you have to take care of yourself. It’s so easy to sink into destruction, and self-destruction. You have to press on. That moment is also true about entertainment.
The clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5URCGyMINg
Dave Watson is a writer and Editor of Movies Matter. He lives in Madison, WI.
Dave Watson: What led to this book? Is Hollywood wide open? You have a success plan right down to fashion dos and don’ts.
Carole Kirschner: It started one day I lunched with one of Hollywood’s top talent managers, who couldn’t find a good assistant. He said the young people he’d hire just rolled their eyes when he’d ask them to bring him coffee. He couldn’t believe the sense of entitlement he’d dealt with over the previous year.
DW: How long ago was this?
CK: Five or six years. When I broke in to Hollywood, there was no roadmap. I wrote this book to help people with insights I’ve gained along the way.
DW: Section Four is titled “Get Focused.” Is knowing your talents and assets key?
CK: You’re exactly right. You need to focus on what you can do well, and also improvise and roll with what comes your way. You have to adapt yet be really clear on what your talents are and what you want to do.
DW: The “Get Hired” chapter has a checklist for career switching. When and how did you use it?
CK: Actually, I used it when I stopped being an executive and became a consultant. As a consultant, I worked with Chris Davidson to create the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring Program. We are in year 11 and have helped launch the careers of more than 25 television writers of color. I also interviewed many people for this chapter.
DW: Is luck when opportunity meets preparedness? Do you agree with that philosophy?
CK: Yes! There are two kinds of luck. One falls from the sky, but that is a very, very small percentage. The second kind comes when you prepare, prepare, prepare. In “Hollywood Game Plan” I talk about marketing, material, and contact. The material part is creating fantastic material. Marketing comes with creating a brand and focusing on how people perceive you. Contact is about connecting with the right people.
DW: Including the audience, at a particular time.
CK: Absolutely.
DW: In the “Get Going” part of the book you end on a sunny outlook, encouraging people to endure rejection and keep on creating. What inspires you in this direction? Is this a spiritual approach as well as practical?
CK: I hadn’t thought of it as spiritual, but yes. I think if you work hard and give back, good things will happen. Rejection is huge, especially in this industry. One’s ability to bounce back is one of the most important things. If you can do that, you’ll be okay. You have to trust the process, keep working, and you will find your way.
DW: What’s the best part about your job and current work?
CK: I am the luckiest woman in show business. All I do is help people. Whether it’s the CBS Diversity Writers Program or the WGA Showrunner Training Program, my job is to help writers grow and develop in this business. I’ve also worked with private clients – writers, producers, directors and executives -- through Park on the Lot [link to http://parkonthelot.com/], teaching them how to break in, stay in and thrive.
DW: Last question, especially for an industry veteran. Is there a movie moment that has stood out for you over the years, that keeps coming back to you?
CK: I would have to say it’s from “All That Jazz.”
DW: The Bob Fosse film.
CK: Yes. I often picture the main character, in front of the mirror, right after he’s showered and taken all his meds. He finishes getting ready, looks in the mirror and says, “It’s showtime!” I don’t know why…
DW: What does that moment say to you? I still remember these scenes and that moment and I saw the movie over twenty years ago. I think they do it four or five times in the film.
CK: I think even more. It says to me that you have to take care of yourself. It’s so easy to sink into destruction, and self-destruction. You have to press on. That moment is also true about entertainment.
The clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5URCGyMINg
Dave Watson is a writer and Editor of Movies Matter. He lives in Madison, WI.
