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Name: Meryl Poster
Hometown: NYC
Occupation: Co-President, Production
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What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
I have always loved the movies. My grandmother was an avid movie-goer and she introduced me to the classics and made a movie lover of me at a very young age. Naturally I wanted to be part of the movie-making process, and as a sophomore in college I applied for what was the quintessential industry position at the time, a spot in the William Morris mailroom. After several rejections, I finally snagged a position and got started.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
Although obtaining a job at William Morris was certainly difficult, I'd say finding my niche and a job that I could be passionate about proved to be more of a challenge. I sought that out and took the first step in the right direction when I started as Harvey Weinstein's assistant at Miramax Films. Back then (1989), Miramax was an infinitely smaller and lesser known company, and it really took a leap of faith to bring me here. But I recognized what appeared to be an amazing opportunity, and took that chance.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
Be persistent and trust your instincts. I can't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't done both.
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a President of Production is.
As the Co-President of Production, I oversee all of the projects we have in development and production. A Production Executive supervises a project from its script stage to its release, and is responsible for working with the writer, director and producer on each aspect of the production, from perfecting the screenplay, to casting each role, to editing scenes that don't work in the finished film. My role varies from one project to another, so while I may be involved in the day to day operations of one production, I might be involved more peripherally on another, supervising an executive from my department as they oversee the production.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
Being well organized is essential. Write everything down - your thoughts on script, To Do Lists, notes taken during a phone conversation - everything. To be most efficient you must prioritize your responsibilities and know what to delegate elsewhere. Your time is valuable. Choose your battles carefully - you have to know when to let go and what is worth fighting for.
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
I'm not a writer.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
A writer's primary focus should always be to write a good screenplay. However there are several inherently more expensive things one might avoid, such as the need for special effects, numerous large crowd scenes, the use of large set pieces and setting the film in another time period.
List your top 5 favorite films
- The Best Years of Our Lives
- Shampoo
- Thelma and Louise
- Cider House Rules
- The Way We Were
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