Encouragement of innovation in entertainment with executive Erika Kennair

Erika Kennair is currently President of Productions for Extracurriculars, working with Malala Yousafzai on an exclusive overall deal with Apple TV+ to provide scripted and unscripted film and TV content.

Most recently, Erika served as Senior Vice President of Development at Berlanti Productions, overseeing the acquisition and development of new scripted and unscripted series for web and cable/streaming. She has produced Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, PGA, DGA and SAG nominations, HBO Max’s “Stewardess” (for which she was nominated for a PGA and an Emmy), Netflix’s “You”, Documentary series “Helter Skelter on Epix, “The Girls on the Bus” on HBO Max and “More” on HBO Max. As ABC Entertainment Group Vice President of Comedy Development, Erika is responsible for identifying and developing comedy series for the ABC network. She oversees” The brainchild of American Housewives, Break Up, Roseanne, and Connors. Erika is also very active in international comedy, focusing on form, attending festivals and building relationships with major comedy talents around the world.

Prior to joining ABC, Ms. Kennair served as Syfy’s Vice President of Original Programming and Development since July 2010. She is responsible for developing new original programming and talent for Syfy, and has hosted “The Magician,” “12 Monkeys,” and “The Killing.” Kennair joined Syfy in 2008 as Director of Development. She also served as a creative spot on “WWE Friday Night Smackdown!” And was awarded the honorary “Queen of Heaven”.

A Cuban-American, Ms. Kennell has been named one of the most influential and influential Latinos in media four times by the Imagen Foundation. In 2013, she was named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s top young Latino decision makers. In 2012, she was named Multichannel News’ 40 Under 40, Variety’s New Leader, CableFAX’s Most Influential Minority in the Cable Industry, and was awarded a NAMIC Distinguished Person. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Humanitas Prize and a member of the Education Committee of the Muslim-Centric Writing Lab of the Islamic Scholarship Fund. Erika Kennair chats with Forbes about her diverse career in the entertainment industry.

Gaudi Chen: Erika, thanks for talking to us today. What is your entertainment career path like?

Erica Kennell: I was born and raised working class in New Orleans, so I don’t know what the “usual” path to show business is. After graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans as an undergraduate, I was accepted into the MFA Screenwriting Program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I went to night school so I could work during the day. My first job in the industry was pulling up ratings at 6am at Paramount Television Research and faxing them to anxious producers.

After that, I was hired by Fox Searchlight as a post-production coordinator.I’ve made similar movies Napoleon Dynamite, sideways, same name, water and Miss SunshineEveryone said, “We’ll fix it in post” and I was able to learn a lot about storytelling from clip after clip, seeing how the text on the page came to life.

In 2005, I received a David and Lynn Angell Comedy Writing Fellowship through the Humanitas Award. David and Lynn were killed on 9/11, and their fellowships provide financial and professional support to aspiring comedy writers. This led to some unpaid freelance work on the animated series, getting notes like “Would a flea say that?” I realized I wanted to be on the other side of the desk, asking more constructive questions and boosting creativity.

Ted Frank hired me at NBC to find different writers and directors for the network. There, I created Writers on the Verge, NBC’s writing scholarship. I’ve been lucky enough to discover talented writers like Meredith Averill who are now successful producers (lock and key), Rafe Judkins (wheel of time), Lee Sung-jin (beef), Rashad Raisani(911 Lone Star), Rick Mulaghy (National treasure), Lauren LeFrank (penguin) There are a lot more.

Three years later, I went to the Syfy channel as a development executive, where I got my hands on the Stargate franchise.I developed 12 monkeys and magicianand even honored WWE Diva for my work WWE Smackdown!

After 7 years at Syfy, I moved to ABC’s Comedy Development department to focus on the international market. I have participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival several times and have worked with consultants around the world to discover new talent.On the domestic side, I developed american housewife, parting ways together, Roseanne and Connorsand a pilot who has never raced the series.

Diablo Cody and I shot two pilots that ABC didn’t like as much as we did.Both were written by Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter, Sarah convinced me that I was a producer at heart. Greg and Sarah hired me at Berlanti Productions.There I reunited with the Sera Gamble I developed magician at Syfy.This time we cooperate you For Netflix.I also developed flight attendantDocumentary Heroes-Skelter Several projects being filmed right now are like girl on the bus And many more, all from very talented journalists turned screenwriters, Amy Chozik.

When I got the call about the new company running Malala for Apple TV+, I had no plans to leave Berlanti. As a Cuban American woman, I crave more positive programming about women of color. Malala is not only funny, brave and very shrewd, but our vision is indeed the same. My confidence has grown and I am grateful every day to be her partner.

List: So many projects you’ve worked on over the years – what’s your favorite? Why?

Kennell: Every project I work on is precious to me in some way, but I have to speak out in particular flight attendant. Steve Yockey creates a refreshing tone and style that breaks the mold, while Kaley Cuoco brings Cassie to life with a gorgeous dimension. It’s high in concept and fun, but also full of depth – tackling alcoholism and trauma in a way I’ve never seen before. I have to work with Rosie Perez!

List: It sounds like you work with a lot of inspiring people. What inspirational story resonates with you?

Kennell: I am inspired by Reservation dogsand we are ladies parts. Both series are so unique, authentic and delightful to watch. They capture specific experiences and worlds with an incredibly sharp, relevant perspective, all while being unapologetic about themselves. An absolute treasure, worthy of all awards.

List: Now, what are you currently doing?

Kennell: We’re working on a feature documentary with A24 for Apple TV+, Sue Kim (speed cube) is mentoring South Korea’s haenyeo – this incredible community of badass freedivers, all women, and mostly seniors. It’s a fun and powerful celebration.

There is also an American drama attached outside of class, called joyland, directed by Syme Sadiq. It focuses on a family in Lahore, Pakistan, as their secrets come to light. The spectacular cast is truly convincing. The film won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard), and now it is Pakistan’s official entry to the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

List: What features do you want to support or support in your project?

Kennell: Our goal at extracurriculars is to connect the world through interesting and surprising stories about women of color that define them by their signature personalities rather than their traumas. We’re looking for the next generation of creators and talent from around the globe.

List: It’s great to have such a global perspective – what traits do you want people to support?

Kennell: I like real, fresh perspectives. We work in a very fear-driven industry, what people want to see before diving in or who has proven successful. It’s a solid strategy, but it’s not particularly exciting. That’s the great thing about working with Malala. She is fearless and absolutely true to herself and her values.

List: Any final branding or career advice this year?

Kennell: I became an executive at 25 and vice president on my 30th birthday, checking off my life to-do list on time. In 2011, I had a health crisis, was in and out of the hospital, and was eventually diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. When I learned to live with a chronic disease, my perfect plan fell through. Certain people who supported me started to treat me completely differently, and I was afraid that I would never achieve my goals. Then something magical happened (yes, a lot of therapy involved) and my priorities and values ​​changed. I realize that life is short and I want to make the most of it. It had nothing to do with the position or the goals I set for myself when I was younger. It’s about being true to myself and the people I love. So, for anyone reading this and setting some sort of ticking clock or ideal picture of success, know that there is more than one path to a dream. There is no expiration date. Just be brave and be yourself.