Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Karkheck.
Hi Eric, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career in media spans nearly three decades—a winding, often unpredictable path where perseverance and seizing every opportunity were the keys to survival. I began studying film production at Loyola University Chicago. The hands-on experience I gained at the campus’s video production department and internships with local companies laid the groundwork for my technical and creative skills.
Upon entering the working world, I juggled a desk job with weekend shoots and took short-term, unpaid gigs. These experiences paved the way for bigger opportunities. For instance, a producer from New York recruited me to work on a fun feature length documentary. It was a challenging experience, but it boosted my confidence and reinforced the importance of taking risks in creative work.
Throughout my early career, I embraced every opportunity that came my way because “work makes work.” This meant accepting less-than-ideal roles that often stretched my limits—driving cross-country, couch surfing, and working grueling hours—all to keep the creative dream of filmmaking alive. Eventually this lead to my first steady job in TV on a nightly show for ESPN Classic.
Looking for more creative adventure, I enrolled in film school at USC. The experience of earning my MFA was transformative and intense. I interned at Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures, and other high-profile production companies. I grew as a filmmaker and storyteller.
After graduating I spent years writing spec scripts and freelance editing. Eventually, a relationship with a co-worker at the NFL Network turned into a pivotal full-time role at Spectrum Networks making content for the Lakers, Dodgers, and LA news. That job was the moment when the relentless hustle finally yielded enough stability to allow me to produce my own scripts. Now, when I’m not at Spectrum, I’m pushing my narrative productions forward and I’m proud to be in post-production on my first feature length film.
My career is a testament to the power of persistence, embracing opportunities, and the relationships you forge along the way. In an industry where change is the only constant, every challenge and setback has shaped me into the filmmaker and professional I am today, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I dare say that no one in the media industry has a smooth path to success. I have had humble jobs, from working in construction to stocking shelves overnight at a supermarket, and paid my dues as a PA, video duplication salesman, and legal videographer. The uncertainty of short-term jobs and financial instability has strengthened my resilience.
Balancing my creative dreams with the need to survive meant taking on roles I wasn’t always thrilled about. Over the years, I’ve encountered my fair share of dead-end jobs, toxic bosses, and collaborators who turned out to be insincere. Juggling unpaid gigs and grueling freelance assignments lead to long and exhausting workdays that left no time for personal projects.
Financial pressures have also played a significant role in my journey. The weight of student loans and the decision to step away from steady work made me question the value of formal education in such a rough and tumble industry. Add to that the soaring cost of living in LA, corporate cost-cutting measures, and changing viewing habits that continue to destabilize the industry.
Plus, the ongoing inner battles of self-doubt and a series of wrong turns and dead ends limit the potential for completing creatively fulfilling work. Having survived in the media industry for my entire professional life makes me grateful that today I am able to pay my bills while finding ways to express myself artistically.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a media professional with nearly 30 years of experience whose greatest joy is telling life-affirming stories that are both entertaining and enlightening. As an independent filmmaker, it’s imperative to be an all-in-one hyphenate: writer-producer-director-editor. Of these roles, directing holds a special place in my heart and my short films have received recognition at various festivals, including the prestigious ‘Best Short’ award on filmfestivalflix.com.
Selecting a favorite project is impossible, particularly because my career is so varied and mosaic.
One of my most significant projects that stands out as a high point for me and my team is the independent Rom Com feature film “Disconnected” which is currently in post-production. You can find it here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34733751/
Another notable project is the short documentary I produced about The Groundlings, which is currently up for an LA Emmy award. You can watch it here: https://vimeo.com/1013280076
Lastly, editing this news special about the LA Firestorms was a deeply fulfilling experience. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/pV07XWni-B0?si=icT7seBgCgjqg4Cq
My dedication to crafting a story over an extended period of time distinguishes me from those who merely claim to be creative. For example, pre-production for “Disconnected” lasted approximately a year, but the effort ultimately yielded a smooth, successful, and gratifying shoot. It seems that my physical and mental endurance, which I developed in preparing for the LA marathon, may be the most effective training I’ve received for feature filmmaking!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The media & entertainment industry is in constant flux, and the changes seem to only be accelerating. Traditional filmmaking models, particularly in Hollywood, are being upended by the rise of digital influencers, artificial intelligence, social media, gaming, and dependence on established brands.
The power dynamics are shifting towards a model that prioritizes online virality over classical cinematic artistry. This trend will continue to shape the financing and distribution of stories, potentially leading to a decline in auteur filmmaking centered around Los Angeles. Instead, future waves of cinema may emerge from less expensive cities or other countries with more substantial funding for the arts.
Amidst Earth’s changing climate and geo-political unrest, there is a question of whether we will witness an increase in stories addressing the great challenges of our day, or if the industry will fail to meet the moment with a flood of lowest common denominator content.
What sustains me is the inspiration I draw from filmmakers like Sean Baker, whose success with Anora demonstrates the enduring relevance of American independent cinema and proves that it continues to produce high-quality films that achieve financial and critical acclaim.
In today’s creative landscape, merely a good education and strong connections are insufficient. The key to a long-term career lies in the willingness to learn and adapt. I am fortunate to have built a supportive network of family, friends, and a full-time position with a large company. Putting that all together provides a solid foundation for my creative endeavors. Crucial to this is my commitment to telling meaningful stories that have the potential to help humanity progress towards peace, unity, and love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariaandme.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erickarkheck/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karkheck/
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3511214
Image Credits
Sandy Beach – Marc Olivier LeBlanc
Poster – Eric Karkheck
