Industry Spotlight: Scripted TV Development

We're kicking off our fourth year of business with a brand new series called "Industry Spotlight." Once a month, we'll be interviewing professionals from across the entertainment industry about their current jobs and career trajectories. Our hope is that you will learn more about the positions you're already interested in, discover new roles you may not have considered, and utilize the wisdom of those who've paved the way before you to forge your own path for success. 

For our first Industry Spotlight, we sat down with Crystal Holt, Director of Scripted Programming at AMC. 

In one sentence, how would you define your job?

I get paid to read.

What is your day-to-day like?

There’s always some sort of staff meeting, followed by writer or director generals, lunch with agents or managers, a pitch of some sort, notes on a current TV show, and/or trolling the interwebs for new material.

What do you like most about your job?

I like discovering new talent, hearing a well thought out pitch, reading scripts with great dialogue, and doing cut notes on episodes.

How did you get your current job?

I was minding my own business when I got scouted by a recruiter on LinkedIn. Always keep your profile up to date and a fresh resume, just in case. :)

What was your first job in Hollywood?

My first job was as an intern at Mandate Pictures. They were making Juno at the time. Well, you know how that turned out.

What are the skills someone would need to succeed in your position?

Love to read, qualified opinion, organization, charisma, outgoingness, team player, self-starter, ambitious, accountable, results-oriented.

If you don’t like __________, you won’t like my job.

Reading.

What’s something you do in your job that an outsider wouldn’t expect (and maybe you didn’t expect before you took the job!)?

So much socializing. It can be exhausting.

What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?

Thinking that I would get promoted from doing the job I was hired to do. You have to do that and do it well, but if you want to get promoted, start taking on some of the responsibilities of the next level up. You get good at that, and they won’t want you for the former, only the latter.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone trying to break in/move up in the industry, what would it be?

Network, network, network. Always have an updated, easy-to-read resume with your contact info on it, be vocal about exactly what you want to do, and only apply for jobs you want.

Thanks, Crystal!