Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Mills.
Tamara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In June 2013, I moved to LA after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Creative Writing (minor in Cinema Studies) to pursue my dreams of becoming a screenwriter. Unfortunately, I only lasted six months before deciding to move back to Chicago to regroup and gain more work experience. Three years later, in Jan. 2016, I moved back to LA with more work experience as an admin assistant and more entertainment experience as an intern at a talent agency. It took me three months to land a job because I didn’t want to take just any job. I started doing script coverage for MarVista Entertainment followed by becoming a CBS Page.
Later, I was hired as a temp for long-term and short-term projects at Sony Pictures Entertainment while also still doing script coverage on the side for MarVista. Working as a temp at Sony allowed me to work in different departments such as marketing, distribution, and post-production. After a year temping at Sony, I landed a 1 yr. contract job as a Content Curator at Rotten Tomatoes. Now, for the past three months, I’m currently working at a new production company, Tracy Yvonne Productions, as the Executive Assistant to the President. We focus on original programming, development, and production for TV & Film. What I love most about my job is that it’s not just another admin position because my opinion is valued. We’re a small team, so it’s very inclusive. I absolutely LOVE my job.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There were some financial struggles along the way. Although I was getting jobs, it either didn’t pay enough or wasn’t stable enough. With a few sacrifices and help from loved ones, things always managed to work out. I truly believe every other position I thought I deserved didn’t workout so I can end up where I am now.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
At Tracy Yvonne Productions, I read a lot of books and scripts and determine if it’s worth developing and producing. If the book or script is bad, I suggest we pass on it. If the book or script is valuable, I suggest we consider it to my boss and then we setup a meeting with our partner company TOPIC, which is associated with First Look Media. For one particular project, I got the opportunity to be involved in the writer’s room as they (the writers) created a TV show. I also got to create the logline for the show they created, which was used in the pitch sent to different networks. This might seem like a small win, but a win is a win. I know that I am on the right track. Eventually, I will reach my goal of having my very own TV show airing on a major network or streaming service.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t think I would do anything differently. When I moved to LA, both times, I did not have a job lined up and I’ll do it the same way again. Yes, it’s probably best and less stressful to have a job set up already, but sometimes you just have to go. I tried to get a job beforehand, but things move so quickly in the entertainment industry. It’s best to just take the leap of faith and head straight for your destination.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sw33ttambam
- Twitter: @Sw33ttambam
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