Exclusive Interview With Executive TV
Producer Kerri Zane On How Authors Can Get On TV!
Kerri, you are an Emmy-award
winning TV executive producer with over two decades of success. How did you
break into television?
Television is a business I always wanted to work in. When I met my former husband he owned an
entertainment advertising agency. He encouraged me to come and work with
hm. With him I learned how to be a producer from bottom to top, starting as a
Production Assistant, Production Coordinator, and Production Manager. So when I
finally was promoted to an executive producer role I knew every aspect of
production. It was a brilliant path really. Being a producer is mostly problem
solving and knowing every function helps me be a better problem solver. He and I
diligently worked on developing content and in 1990 we sold our first series to
NBC called "Name Your Adventure." Mario Lopez was our host and
we made kids dreams come true. It all unfolded from there.
What are some of your career
highlights? Permission to brag!
Name Your Adventure was a feel good series and we were able to work
with amazing people. One special episode centered around a Vietnamese Boat
Rescuee who wanted to work with the Press Department at the White House...she
was able to spend the day assisting DeeDee Myers, Bill Clinton's press
secretary. The White House didn't tell us but organized our filming for the
same day that the Vietnam Women's Memorial was unveiled. There was a touching
ceremony in the Oval Office we were able to capture for the episode which was
unforgettable.
Another highlight was Executive Producing the Emmy winning CBS Schoolbreak called "My Indian Summer." I also produced two seasons of an animated series for CBS called "Flying Rhino Jr. High" that was very different and interesting. From there I took on reality cable content and have worked in that space ever since. Honestly I have loved all my shows...they are like children. They all required incredible care and attention, but turned out so well I am proud of each and every one.
So exactly what do you spend
most of your time and energy on these days?
Currently, the majority of my days are spent working on development.
Despite the blossoming of new outlets for content the business remains highly
competitive and the bar of excellence in creating and developing compelling new
series that will be greenlit is super high.
Kerri, as a published author
yourself, what challenges and opportunities do you see for other authors
looking to promote their brand and market their book?
Yes. I have published two books. One non-fiction, "It Takes All
Five: A Single Mom's Guide For Finding the REAL One" and a fiction book
called, "My Lover's Keeper." I think the most challenging part of the
book process is not in the writing but in the marketing and promotion. That is
where the majority of effort needs to be focused. Good news is being able to
work with people like you and all the online viral opportunities authors have a
lot more control and opportunity to manifest their own success.
If an author believes he or
she can turn their content into a TV show, what should they do?
Contact me! I am happy to assist and share my expertise. Because I
have a pulse on what the TV market place is looking for I can quickly assess
the viability.
How can an author slash
expert at least serve as a consultant to — or a guest on — a TV series?
Having a publicist support this effort is key. It's important to
have the right advocate who has the right relationships. That being said,
every author or expert must know their stuff and the shows they want to target
in order to create content that will be useful for the producer. So it's a team
effort. My suggestion, watch the shows you would like to be featured on to
understand their sensibility and what might make you a compelling guest or
segment. Stay on top of topical news and trends to pitch you/or ideas around
these current events.
As a single mom and a woman
working in television, how have you handled the stresses of being in a highly
competitive environment?
Great question. I love what I do, I am good at it and I'm highly
competitive. So it all works to my benefit. When I pitch a show and someone
passes that's when I turn up my burners...I like to find the why behind the no,
and work at the creative until it's right. I love turning "no's" into
"yeses!"
When you look at the TV
landscape now — network, cable, premium, streaming — where do you see
television heading? Any trends?
What is interesting is when the Golden Globe nominees were announced
recently, every major free TV network was shut out. I don't have to predict the
trend...it has already shifted.
For
more information, please contact: www.kerrizane.com.
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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative
opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone
and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him
on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels
much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by
BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in
Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and
IBPA’s Independent. This was named one of the best book
marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the
top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best
resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.
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