Meet Yasmine Campbell of Rocket House Media in Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasmine Campbell.

Yasmine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. I dreamt of taking off in a rocket, watching the earth grow smaller and smaller behind me until I was in the vast blackness of outer space. I grew up watching Carl Sagan reruns and my hope for humanity was that we spread our kindness through the cosmos. All of that went away when I received a letter grade of “C” in actuary mathematics class, during college. I recall my teacher saying something like; “you’ve killed your crew members with a grade C”. It was then and there that my exploration of the cosmos would be relegated to pen, paper and imagination. My love for all things cosmological was fueled by my early exposure to Shamanism. My grandfather was a Taino, Shaman and we learned of ways to enhance our human experience through vibration and human connection. We practiced storytelling. In my family, it was critical and essential to be able to tell a great story and to also be a great audience member.

My first foray into the business was as an intern at Saturday Night Live, an internship I helped to secure while attending grad school at NYU. That was a great experience because while I learned a lot of great things; I also learned about the environments that I would rather be creative in. I was a production assistant (P.A.) for director Kevin Smith. He and his amazing producer, Scott Mosier, were instrumental in mentoring me. They said that I needed to move to Los Angeles where the film business was. Scott even helped me format and edit my resume. I moved to Los Angeles and had a full-time job teaching high school when I got the call that Kevin and Scott were doing their next movie. The film crews in New York were different than the ones in L.A.  Though Kevin and Scott were great, the Los Angeles film vibe was a massive culture shock. In New York, we tend to tell you to your face whether we like you or not.  Whereas in California, people tend to be spiteful behind your back. There were many hungry and treacherous folks that were in my position who didn’t play nicely. I licked my wounds and moved on. Still, Kevin and Scott had no idea about this and I never made them aware, because let’s face it, they had bigger things to take care of. I’ve always appreciated my time with them. I learned that you must have talent and perseverance and those two have it in droves.

My next move was working with legendary animation producer, Mary Harrington who did Ren and Stimpy, The Rugrats, Doug, Hey Arnold! Ahh! Real Monsters, Invader Zim, Rocko’s Modern Life and on and on…seriously. Since I was a certified teacher, she was looking for someone with that experience, coupled with the P.A., production background. It was a tremendous experience working in development. She’s so knowledgeable and great with the process. We worked on a preschool show called Ni-Hao Kailan!

After going into hiatus, I got a referral from a friend that I met backstage at a Rob Zombie concert, to interview as an agent’s assistant. At ICM, I made it to the trainee program and worked with a senior-level motion picture literary agent. He’s producing now and really taught me how to watch my back. For example, I’m generally friendly and willing to help anyone that asks or seems to need it. One day, my boss, the agent, asked me into his office and to close the door behind me. He then proceeded to tell me that, the kid I was helping on the desk next to mine, has been coming into his office for the past several weeks during lunch and pitching himself to take my job!  After learning that, I kept more to myself. Ultimately, the agency culture was not for me.

I had the opportunity to go work with Will and Jada Smith at Overbrook. I was finally able to work with producers in a capacity I enjoyed, development.  Is the process where ideas and pitches come in and you get to help bring it to fruition.  The Smiths are incredible people. All of the good stuff you hear about them and being about family is one hundred percent authentic. I learned to stay positive and stay focused, keep the faith and stay grateful.  Believe me that’s easier said than done but the Smith family really works at making it work and it’s amazing to see.

Another opportunity came along to work with known and respected producer, Laura Ziskin. She was great with people and really seemed involved with her family. I got to know her beautiful daughter, Julia and her grandchild early on. I felt part of a family because she was so inclusive. I helped with the first STAND UP 2 CANCER. That was a surreal experience because I met many Hollywood icons. They really revered and respected Laura and that was an important example for me to see. Up until then, I had worked for men, primarily.

My next post was as Director of Development to Academy Award-winning producer, Michael Phillips. He’s a once in a lifetime. Not only did I get to experience, first-hand, his genius, I really got to learn to work with writers. I secretly always wanted to be one, but here, I really felt the process and worked with them. Knowing the business as well as I did, helped in the sales but this side, as a development executive with Michael, taught me invaluable lessons. Michael is a notable sci-fi producer and I’ll never forget what he said about what makes a great sci-fi movie or TV series. “You need one leap. It could be the most incredible leap. But if it’s just the one, your audience will believe it and go on the journey with you.” Whenever I see a convoluted, overwritten sci-fi I remember Michaels words.  Essentially, less is more.

I would spend nearly five years with Michael and his co-producer, wife Juliana Maio, who is an excellent book author and a former entertainment law attorney. Eventually, I would begin my writer’s journey. I had to make the choice to leave behind development as a paying gig. In pursuit of my passion, I took to the temp agencies, plastered my “dumbed down” resume all over town and began temping at every studio. Part of my ego was sore doing a menial 9 to 7 when I was ions above some of my bosses even.  However, I was writing. Pages and glorious pages of freedom and dreams while my bank account dwindled.  I was broke but seriously fulfilling my ancestral dream.  What also helped was listening to great podcasts like Script Notes by my friend, the talented John August.  There’s also Industry Standard with Barry Katz.  He’s a manager and producer and we also worked together at some point during my Hollywood journey.

While I worked these insufferable temp gigs, I would take time off to have general meetings as I built my writer’s portfolio. It’s not an easy transition, especially if you have a family to support like I do, but you just talk and plan literally everyday. And everyday is a struggle or some sacrifice but it’s why I came here so that feels great. Just recently, a few of my projects have been optioned by some established and exciting producers. The next step is to walk in and sell them bad boys to a studio or network. I should also mention that I strategically divide my time between mentoring and social justice. I founded INNER VOICES an organization I am very proud of. Check it out at: www.inner-voices.org.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not. In fact, it never stops. The moment you break through one level, you learn very quickly that you have to be nimble and ready to accept that everything that you learned can become completely obsolete. I was a mother and had a family and ultimately had to start another. It’s a tough business and a rewarding one all at once so it’s a tough “addiction” to balance if you want to even call it that. Some of my biggest struggles revolve around life/work balance. Learning when to not go to an event to “network” and when to stay home. When to find the right times to write. When to quit a job with an abusive boss. It’s all relative. The struggle is real and it never ends. One thing is exchanged for another and at the end of the day, you need to make yourself happy which makes those that you care about and care about you, happy.  Here’s how I remember to stay grateful and humble; I am lucky I get to have the problems that I do.  If I didn’t, I would not be fighting for my dreams.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Rocket House Media story. Tell us more about the business.
As a writer, I am my company. My writer’s voice and my experience in life is what sets me apart. In terms of specialty, I’ve been told that I have a unique voice on the page. That’s a very high compliment to get and one that I would gladly take because my life’s journey has been filled with obstacles which have added to that voice.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Honestly, success is a combination of “luck” and preparation. To me, there is no “good” or “bad” luck, it’s about being prepared. In my line of work, the writing is the preparation. So if I’m not writing, I’m not preparing and therefore dwindling my chances which might as well be bad luck.  Thank you for reading.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @yazzysoup
• Twitter: @yazzysoup

 

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