Katie Koskenmaki
Project Supervisor
KQED
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Wanted to do EVERYTHING, but couldn't find one job that would encompass it all.
Majored in Anthropology+Theater so I could use everything from biology to religion for my degree.
Fortunately, realized that films cover every subject -- and take every skill to make.
Went to work on a film set to see what it was like. I loved it.
Went back to school to get my M.F.A. in Film to learn all the things I didn't learn in college.
Did every TV / Film job on the planet, but got tired of job insecurity (even as a professor of film).
Worried I should have settled down and focused on ONE type of job.
Discovered that knowing about all aspects of film is great for working in public TV distribution.
Education
Career
Project Supervisor
I help meaningful documentaries get seen by a national television audience.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Television
Business
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
I get to my cubicle and start emailing filmmakers, TV stations, and TV distributors to make sure everyone has everything they need -- from tapes to contracts to promotional materials. The creative part of my job involves writing publicity materials and designing graphics. I also watch a LOT of films to see which projects we should work on. I travel to conferences around the U.S. three times a year.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Get an internship at a TV station. In this industry, interns frequently get hired.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Family:
"You're so good at [piano / math / drawing / astronomy / writing / etc.], you should do that for a living!"
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
