January Jones welcomes Curtis Kessinger, author of “Just Shoot It! “
A Complete Guide to Fimlmaking From Script to Screen!
Curtis Kessinger
Bio:
I am the Founder of Success Minded Coaching and Consulting and the accidental author of two books: A Filmmaking book “Just Shoot It” and a Success book “The Ultimate You: Achieving Greatness” both of which I never set out to write. I have worked as a stand-up comic, independent filmmaker, improv and voice-over actor, engineer, tax professional, etc.
Coaching: Coached and consulted with Corporations as well as Individuals, Start-ups, Sales Professionals including Real Estate, Mortgage Brokers and Network Marketing, Entertainers, Writers and Filmmakers. Working with a broad spectrum of clients has allowed me to develop patterns of success that are common in all fields.
My dream since my early teens was to be a stand-up comic. I grew up about as far from Hollywood as one can get in Litchfield, IL, a small farming town in central Illinois. From my early teens I loved watching comedians and soon began writing observational humor. What could be better than making people laugh? I spent my high school and college years writing and finally went on stage while in college. After graduation I was working in St. Louis in the aerospace business as an engineer and performing stand-up comedy at night. I soon took off for Hollywood after finding an aerospace job in LA. I started hitting the LA comedy clubs and like most comics hoping to land that sitcom or film deal. I also had an agent and was going on auditions. I realized I needed to make my own opportunities so I started writing film scripts and learned all about filmmaking, working as a crewmember on numerous films. The next logical step was to make my own films. I made several films and gained valuable experience in the process, which led me to my first accidental book.
I chased after all these goals and they continually led me down different paths to different goals. Goals that had never even crossed my mind.
Education: a graduate of Pepperdine University (MBA) and Southern Illinois University (BS Engineering), Filmmaking, screenwriting, acting, improv courses (UCLA & others). Written, directed and produced two films and worked on numerous others. Member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). Featured in Broker Magazine, Guerilla Filmmaker Magazine, Super 8mm Today Magazine and quoted in MovieMaker Magazine.
Currently have several films in development as well as my first stand-up comedy album. Live in the Los Angeles area.
Websites:
www.successminded.com