Q and A with Kelly Ann Barrett, Owner of KAB Films
Tell us a bit about KAB Films.
KAB Films is a video, TV, and Film production company created by Kelly Ann Barrett, myself. After I started acting about 15 years ago, I started writing my own monologues and scenes for my reel, and that progressed into feature films and TV pilots.
What gave you the idea for your business and how did it start?
I’ve always been involved in the arts since a kid, so it was just a natural progression from acting into producing. I wanted to create my own material for my acting reel, and that’s how it got started.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
Studying to craft of acting. I love the technique that I study. I love learning from my master acting coach and applying those techniques to my work. Even day is different, I am on a different set shooting anything from a commercial, to print to a feature film. I love that I wear different hats, and go from being a producer, to a writer, to an actress, to an AD and a script supervisor. The entertainment industry is also a business, so you have to be good at that as well, and not just your craft. Being a good people person also helps.
What are your keys to making yourself productive?
I’m most productive in the morning, so that is when I get the most work done. Depending on the day, I have different things to do. I have to prioritize, and run different businesses throughout the day. I’m on the go a lot running around to auditions and different shoots on a daily basis, and juggle side jobs and other businesses. I don’t watch TV. I stopped that a long time ago, it was a distraction, and it’s funny because I’m in the entertainment business. I’m too busy writing and creating TV shows to watch them all the time. I’m very picky and choosy. I work with a partner, so that also helps, we try to keep each other on track to help move things forward.
Tell us one long-term goal in your career.
To produce my own TV show or Feature film. I produced a pilot that is being shopped around, but I didn’t create it. I have shows I”ve created that I should’ve invested in, and not someone else’s, but you live and learn, so I’m excited to shoot my own pilot very soon! We also have so potential deals for features.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?
Always work with contracts, and never trust anyone, even your best friends. They will be the first ones to throw you under a bus. Never give up, and keep going. This is a tough business where everyone is a thief. They will straight up steal your idea and not care. There’s a lot of bad people in this industry, but I imaging that to be true in politics and in finance as well. It seems like you kind of have to be a jerk to get ahead in this business. It’s not cool though, but people don’t care. They are very selfish and egotistical in this business and don’t care about anyone but themselves.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?
Make sure you enjoy it. Do it because you love the craft of acting, or creating a series, or writing a screenplay. You have to love the industry, because it’s very up and down, there’s a lot of shady people in the industry, lot’s of no’s, people don’t want to pay you ect. So you have to have some side businesses set up as well. It can be really tough if you don’t love it. It’s not as glamorous as it seems unless your mom and dad are famous and they can just bring you up in their movies.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?
Make sure you enjoy it. Do it because you love the craft of acting, or creating a series, or writing a screenplay. You have to love the industry, because it’s very up and down, there’s a lot of shady people in the industry, lot’s of no’s, people don’t want to pay you ect. So you have to have some side businesses set up as well. It can be really tough if you don’t love it. It’s not as glamorous as it seems unless your mom and dad are famous and they can just bring you up in their movies.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Dancing. I love country music, so I enjoy going to concerts, and to see my friends bands play. I love the country, and I used to be a cowgirl on a ranch. I dream of owning horses. I think country folk are the best people there are. You have these people that are Jesus followers but in reality they are really horrible people, and they think just because they follow the Lord they are good. Country people are actually really good people and also believe in God, but don’t use the Lord to cover up what horrible people they are. I love country people, they are real, honest. Loyal, and hardworking.
Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.
“No Acting Please” Eric Morris
Eric Morris Actors worksop for aspiring actors out there. He’s the last greatest acting master teacher out there.
Screencraft.org
Screenwritingu.com
The ISA is great for screenwriters.
My firmed Erman does some really cool networking events in LA.
