Aaron Glenn - Interview with Cathy Roszell (AD, Producer)

1. Can you briefly define your job to me?
A producer is a woman or man who gives birth to a creative concept, someone who takes a production all the way from conception to birth. This process can take as many as16-18 months. Important questions to ask when crafting your project are what’s the statement you intend to make and what’s your market. It’s almost as though the producer is “crafting” the project.

2. How did you get started in the business?
Its all I ever wanted to do, and I had a minor in journalism. I moved to Nashville and began working for Tom Ferrell Thom II Productions. I then starting working towards becoming part of the Director’s Guild.

3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can't accomplish an assigned task?
You should ask for advice if you do not feel that you know how to complete a task. Find an approachable person that works with how you function – someone you can you communicate with. Otherwise you should use your intellect and your gut to solve problems that arise to the best of your ability.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student starting out?
Move to a major market: Boston, NY, Atlanta, Chicago, LA. Don’t be afraid to take small jobs; keep putting yourself out there and understand that it is hard to find a job. Don’t ask to stand by the camera – you won’t be re-hired if you insist on getting attention. Do what you have to, even if that means waiting tables. If you get hired for a position in the office, then you’ll have a great opportunity to make contacts and handle many of the important documents at all stages of production. Just like an artisan, getting into the film business involves apprenticeship experience. Take care of yourself; maintain contact with friends and family even if you are working across the country.

Remember:

-You’re only as good as your last gig.

-Read Syd Field’s Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting - we all use it.

-Two websites to know: www.imdb.com, www.mediabistro.com

- have an EPK (electronic press kit) ready at all times, a transferable electronic file containing:
1.no longer than 3 minutes of your work
2. your personal information and goals
3. your references