On the Set: SAEM Alumna Working for TV Show The Good Wife Thursday, August 30, 2012
Photo by Melissa Brozeski
Meet Erin Cappiccie
Job title: Assistant to Executive Producer
Employer: The Good Wife, CBS Productions, Inc.
Hometown: Wheeling, W.Va.
Now living in: New York, N.Y.
Degree earned: Bachelor of Science in Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management, 2009
Hobbies/interests: Tennis, fitness, video editing, film, television and comedy
LinkedIn: Erin Cappiccie
Update
Erin is now a student success representative for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in sports, arts and entertainment management?
I wanted to work in one of these three industries, but I was unsure of which area to pursue. Choosing this degree was the first step I took in figuring out my career path.
Why did you choose Point Park?
I first narrowed my search down to the City of Pittsburgh because it is close to my hometown and the opportunities in the city are countless. I chose Point Park mainly because of the unique SAEM degree it offered. I then came to discover how much I enjoyed the learning environment at Point Park. Our campus is distinct, yet incorporated in the heart of Downtown. The small-to-medium class size was perfect. I was able to get plenty of one-on-one time with my professors.
Please list your previous work and internship experiences.
- Assistant to producers for the movie Abduction
- Assistant to director/co-executive producer for the TV show Modern Family
- Assistant to partner/talent manager/producer Jimmy Miller of Mosaic Media Group
- Intern for The Talent Group
- Production and post-production intern for The Weinstein Company
- Marketing intern for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
- All-Star Week FanFest attraction manager for Major League Baseball
- Premium services and event sales intern for the Pittsburgh Pirates
How did you land your position with the TV show The Good Wife?
To be honest, it took some strategic planning on my part. After returning to the East Coast to work on Abduction, I realized I wanted to stay here for a while. My core network was in L.A., but I wanted to build a network in New York. Before I spoke to anyone, I first had to understand what I'm good at and what type of position I wanted. I spoke to a lot of colleagues in my field and verbalized my goals. The more you ask, the more chances you have of a door being opened!
What do you love most about your job?
At the end of the day, I love seeing how each person's tasks contribute to the completion of a TV show! From my position, I'm fortunate enough to observe how each small part comes together as a whole.
Where do you see your career taking you in the next 10 years?
At this point in my life, I can still see my career path going in multiple directions. I'm currently working toward being a producer, but the term is so broad and the title can mean so many different things. I do know this: In 10 years, I'd like my career to be a perfect hybrid of creative and technical tasks.
What advice do you have for prospective students considering a career in the entertainment field?
Keep up with current entertainment news and business. (That doesn't mean tabloids!) Familiarize yourself with the material. It seems glamorous from the outside, but the entertainment industry is just like any other industry: it wants to make money. It's a business. Try your hardest to get an internship or an entry-level position in a company affiliated with entertainment. The more you know and the more people you know, the better. Many of these great job opportunities are a perfect combination of hard work, experience and being in the right place at the right time.
Also, don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. That term means something different to everyone … location, salary, working hours, etc. The entertainment industry can be very volatile, so learn to be resilient and stay positive. Get to know those who share your interests and aspirations. Always have an opinion, but have self-awareness and know when to share that opinion. Oh, and if someone ever does you a huge favor, make sure to pay it forward someday.