We chatted with Kristin Mann about a day in the life of a film producer, the magic of the Arkansas film industry and a classic recommendation for any film library.

Hi, Kristin! Over the years, you’ve worked on a variety of projects, from music videos to feature films, and before all that you went to University of Central Arkansas for film/theatre. How did that lead to your start in the film industry? Did you have to leave Arkansas to pursue it? What brought you back?

My focus on film and theatre at UCA gave me the opportunity to be a part of a team putting together productions for the stage. I acted in some shows, designed the lighting for a production, helped with set design, etc. My involvement on the film side gave me access to film gear, so I took advantage of that and experimented with shooting some stuff. I also utilized the edit rooms and actually spent quite a bit of my time editing videos. Right before my last semester I went to NYC for the summer to intern for a production company. Having that experience led me to get hired as a production assistant on my first feature film shooting in Arkansas. From there, I just kept building onto each experience. I did have to leave Arkansas in order to develop a sustainable career. I’ve toyed with the idea of moving back (but to the NWA area) over the last couple of years, then I was a recipient of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s Life Works Here talent incentive program, which helped inform my decision. I was selected out of 30k applications! I’m grateful for it and am sort of falling in love with NWA.

What do you look for in a script as a producer? 

Characters that feel real and that I like enough to live with for 2+ years, which is the minimum amount of time a producer tends to spend on a project. Being born and raised in the south, I’m naturally drawn to southern stories but definitely not limited to those. Questions I ask myself: Does this story need to be told, and does it make sense to be told onscreen? Is the writer someone I want to be in business with? Even if I love it creatively, do I realistically think I can get this project financed? Can I sell this film? I’m also drawn to stories by and about diverse people, and the current state of the world has me eager to do more comedic or uplifting stories.

What’s been your favorite type of project to work on so far? Most challenging? 

I’m very proud of my film To the Stars, which was born from a script that had been shelved for many years. A colleague, who was a talent manager at the time, sent it to me thinking I might spark to it. He was right. I read it and immediately knew I was going to make this thing. It’s one I built from the ground up, and I’m really proud of everyone involved and how it turned out. My most challenging film has been THE QUARRY, and I can’t really put in print why, but it has to do with a financier not following through on his signed agreement to fully finance the film. I’ll stop there 🙂

What film should be in every household’s movie cabinet? Why?

Ohhhhh, just one?! There are so many different ways I could answer this, but I’ll just list the one that never gets old: When Harry Met Sally.

Has the industry changed or evolved since you started your career? If so, how? 

Oh dear, yes. Netflix existed, but it was just that company you could rent a DVD from and get in the mail after the film had already been in theaters. It’s a whole new world now when it comes to distribution. 

Also, if we want to get real here, before the #MeToo Movement, I was sexually harassed on a regular basis. That movement generated a seismic shift on that front, and none of us are having it anymore!

Lastly, though we admittedly still have a long way to go, I’m encouraged that we’re starting to see more women and people of color in front of and behind the camera. 

On the opposite side of the previous question, what still needs to change in the film industry?

More inclusivity, more chances taken on promising up and coming talent, and everyone please stop asking for producer credit. 

If you could work on any film, either in front of or behind the camera, what would it be and why? 

I know I should probably offer a more sophisticated answer, but I would give just about anything to have worked on When Harry Met Sally in any capacity. The film is just a delight. Nora Ephron, Rob Reiner, Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal. Come on.

What should people know about the Arkansas film industry? 

That we have a competitive incentive and that your dollar stretches further here. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more friendly and welcoming bunch of people who want to see you and your project succeed. The state has a lot of beautiful scenery and locations to choose from. You should probably shoot your movie here 🙂

What do you think would be most surprising about the filmmaking process to an outsider?

That it often takes many years to get a project off of the ground, and it probably took many more people to make it than you realize.

Is there anything else we should know?

If you want to stay posted on my films, give me a follow on Instagram at @wilde_woman_ Happy to be back in AR and excited to help build upon the film industry here. Thanks, ya’ll!