Interviews with Max Collins and Keri Mullen by Toni Wigant

My first interview was with writer, producer, and director Max Collins, whose most famous work of art is "The Road to Perdition" which he created the original graphic novel. Other films of his include "Mommy" and "Eliot Ness: An Untouchable Life." Because Mr. Collins is considerably busy, he was only able to email me his answers, but I feel they are just as informative.

1. Can you briefly define your job to me?

Toni, I'm a freelance writer, and have worked in various forms of storytelling since I was in college in the early '70s. The major thrust has been fiction, specifically mystery and suspense fiction. About fifteen years ago, I began getting aggressive about movie making, and have sold a number of screenplays, and written and directed a number of independent features and documentaries.

2. How did you get started in the business?

I attended the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop, and my teacher/mentor there -- Richard Yates, author REVOLUTIONARY ROAD -- helped me land a literary agent. I sold two mystery novels during my last year of grad school, and have never looked back. My career is a combination of answering the phone and accepting work, and going out and finding work. One of my specialties has become tie-in writing, which is developing novels out of films and TV shows for the rights holders of those properties (and, of course, interested publishers).

3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can't accomplish an assigned task?

I don't. If I accept a writing job, I do it. If I think I'm not qualified, I will turn it down -- but I rarely turn down a job, unless I am booked up.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student starting out?

Be versatile as far as media is concerned. I have had a long career because I did not peg myself as one thing -- and it would have been easy to be a mystery writer, period. But I have also written non-fiction, both books and articles, and have written everything from trading cards to syndicated comics, from graphic novels to video-game dialogue. It's best to think of yourself as a storyteller and work in as many media as you can manage and have interest in/for.

My second interview was with Keri Mullen, who has had over 15 years experience in film/video, music and live performance; from executive management to all aspects of producing, directing and shooting. She wasn't able to be reached by phone (she was attending a film festival in Colorado,) but she was more than happy to email me her answers.

1. Can you briefly define your job to me? Currently I am a freelance media consultant. What that entails is I freelance for production companies, media companies, marketing, advertising and PR companies assisting them in their industry in a variety of roles. It can be as small as executive management to Directing. It all depends on who they are, what they want, what I can do for them. I have taken on this type of career basically due to the film industry and the economy in places I have lived. Colorado (Denver/Boulder area) is very big and competitive. Iowa has now become this way since the state has a hold on the Film Tax Incentive Program, which I am a huge advocate of and working very hard with other people to see this incentive carry on for the sake of the film industry in Iowa. Currently, I am freelancing with a company who produces a variety of trade shows. These trade shows are all similar and I am making contact to get the word out to B2B and B2C for exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees. Also, assisting in writing press releases, stories, and submitting those to various editors, journalists, media, social networking sites, and internet groups. On a production end, my knowledge of crewing on a location or studio shoot ranges from set design, to lighting, audio, floor director, Technical Director, Assistant Director, Director and Producer.

2. How did you get started in the business? I have always loved the media and it wasn't until I divorced and decided I was tired of working for corporate America. I re-evaluated my career, moved to Boulder, CO from Denver, CO and started to volunteer for a Community Access TV Station that was funded by the City of Boulder. With that I learned to produce, director, shoot, edit, everything you need to know hands on about what a production program from in studio to on location entails. I was asked by the Executive Director of the Community Access TV Station to participate as an Assistant Director for a live sports show he was directing and asked if I would be interested in being his AD. I was, I went, I watched and I learned in 1 evening. The next week when I returned to continue being the AD and Director in waiting, he told me that he was going to a meeting and I was directing the show and that the show was going live and I was going to be responsible. I was so scared that I did it. I directed this 30 min live show and it was best thing I ever did.

3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can't accomplish an assigned task? It depends on what it is for me. I will take a task and make sure I have all the information I need on it. Everything from the last detail. If I feel I cannot do it, I will discuss parts of the tasks I can do and inform my boss that this is what I can do, but I do not know if I can take on these aspects. It also depends on what else I have on my plate in order to take on additional duties and responsibilities, if it is something that I should be doing. I also learn to prioritize in order to hopefully complete all tasks assigned in the time frames given.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student starting out? I have guided a lot of students from high school to college and out. Some of my interns in the community access tv station worked with my on various shows in order for them to learn and decide if this was a career path for them. My suggestion to you is to find an organization you would like to be a part of. Ask for an informational interview, ask to intern. Your passion in what you really want to do will come through that. Also volunteer in and with organizations that are of your interest. This helps you with getting to know the people you need to know, getting to know how to conduct yourself and how to perform certain tasks and duties that may be asked of you in the future.