Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Waddles.
Carla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved from Detroit to California specifically to write for television. The only way I knew how to make that transition, learn the craft of screenwriting and network was to go to grad school. I got accepted to the Graduate Screenwriting Program at USC and while I was there for two years, I also did an unpaid internship for a half-hour comedy (“For Your Love”). I would drive to the Warner Bros lot and help the P.A.s get lunches, coffee, etc. for the writers. It allowed me to be in the writer’s offices, to meet them, pick their brains, observe what they do day-to-day, go to rehearsals, and to read every draft of every script. It lead to me getting in the Warner Bros. Writing workshop. Because of the Workshop and that internship, I got my first staff writing job. That was the beginning of it all. From there I spent years cycling through half-hour TV staff gigs and gradually getting that bump to the next level, year after year, and constantly grinding, learning, growing and adapting with each writer’s room experience. After doing comedy for years, I made the transition to drama about 8 years ago and eventually landed on a drama at Universal Studios (“Good Girls”). I got to know some of the drama execs there, which led to me shooting my first pilot in NYC, getting an overall deal, and becoming a showrunner (“Bel-Air”) after 20+ years in the game.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think initially starting off in the multi-camera comedy world twenty years ago was challenging because of the scarcity of jobs and the small window to actually get staffed on a television show. Before streaming, the hiring season for writers was the month of May after all the networks had announced what shows were returning and what new shows they were picking up. And then there was this sort of staff meeting frenzy for TV writers that would happen, and if you came out the other side without a job, you’d typically be unemployed until next hiring season. So you just keep writing new material to get ready to try again next year. So getting staffed back then felt like a golden ticket honestly and there was a lot of competition. There was also a tendency for female writers or Black writers to get pigeon-holed into shows that only had a Black cast or shows with female lead characters. So that meant even fewer opportunities, or you were sometimes the chosen “only one” in the room. So those early years working were rewarding creatively, but tough financially because you’re basically living off residual checks in between writing gigs. And you see your savings deplete quickly. But I think that’s true of any artist. The financial gains are not always there at first when you’re pursuing a passion. You have to figure out a way to endure that storm and hold on to the dream. Eventually the tide can turn, but you have to survive in the meantime.
When I look back, the thing that was magical about that time was that I’ve never written so much. I was very prolific when I was unemployed lol. And now that I’m in the position of executive producing and showrunning, there are so many deadlines and meetings and commitments — There isn’t a lot of bandwidth left to just quietly dream, sit with creative thoughts, soak in good films, read good books and just be inspired. So the challenge now is trying to make room for that starry-eyed creativity – the stories that gave me joy and remember why I started this journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My production company is called Babycakes and I have a deal at Universal Studios to create and develop television projects. Most recently, I was the Executive Producer and Showruner for Bel-Air, which just finished its fourth and final season on Peacock. As a Black woman, I like to see my POV reflected in my stories. My family, my experiences as a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I like to tell stories that also poke at the truths of our insecurities and imperfections because life can be messy and that’s what’s great about it. The highs and the lows. And how we show up as our best and worst selves to deal with all of it. We’re all trying to work through something, get somewhere, figure something out. I want to tell those stories in ways that feel real but fun. Never too heavy or preachy, and foremost entertaining. Always gotta enjoy the ride. I’d like my brand to be known for authentic, fun stories with characters that are relatable and nuanced. Grounded but also a little quirky and unexpected.
I’m most proud of the the story I get to share about my own journey from Detroit to Los Angeles. Public school kid. Single mom. Growing up off 8 mile. It’s all part of who I am. I like to talk to students and up and coming creatives because I think my story gives them encouragement. With hindsight, we can really appreciate what we’ve been through, and when I look back at my career, I’m grateful for that testimony.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The simple act of writing down on a piece of paper the reason that you’re on your journey, whatever that is for you, is important. Your “Why” is your personal mission statement. The dream will never unfold the way you think, and there will usually come a point where you want to jump ship. They say the difference between those who make it and those who don’t, is just not giving up. And sometimes You need to remind yourself of that mission statement to stay in the game when things are bleak, or even when you’re just discouraged because the job gets so hard that you’ve lost the joy of the dream.
My other piece of advice would be to learn your craft and never stop learning it. I never wanted to feel like a fraud, or be scared of a blank piece of paper and creating something from scratch, because that’s what writers do. So whatever it is you do, learn it inside and out, go to classes, conferences, workshops, talk to people, study the greats, and be the best you can be at that thing. Don’t get lost in the superficiality or the fame or recognition. Nothing matters but the craft. Do it well, be the real deal, and you will always be valuable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://babycakesproductionsinc.com
- Instagram: @babycakesproduction and @cmwaddles
Image Credits
yes, I have rights to all photos
