Carmen Jean
Smith Weaves a Tapestry of TV Diversity
Interview by JOSEPH G. NAZEL, JR.
Background:
Diversity-or
rather the lack of it in network television
programming-has been a hot-button
topic of discussion and debate for
some time. But there are those in
the entertainment industry who have
moved beyond the talking stage to
become proactive in weaving a tapestry
of entertainment for television that
is more reflective of the world and
its many peoples and cultures.
Carmen Jean Smith is actively about
the business of "increasing diversity"
in entertainment television programming,
a company mandate she has taken as
her own in her role as vice president,
Talent Development Programs, ABC Entertainment
Television Group, where she has served
for more than three years.
Her title hardly reflects the variety
of programs for which she is responsible,
such as those for writer and director
fellowships and for scholarships and
grants, all designed to recruit and
develop writers, directors and actors
that are "talented and diverse-including
women-from all backgrounds,"
according to Smith.
The diversity programs are all directed
toward "looking for talent for
prime time television," said
Smith, who heads talent-search theatrical
productions, in major and small cities
throughout the nation. New talent
discoveries, from age 18 to 100, are
assigned mentors, exposed to lectures
by industry veterans and all the in-and-outs
of the business, while earning $50,000
to hone their crafts.
"We've had actors who are seasoned
but who have fallen off the radar,"
Smith said. "Our shows are attended
by directors, and producers, agents,
and casting directors, so they (actors)
really have the chance to demonstrate
that they still have the chops."
In her 26 years in television, 21
years with ABC, Smith has served in
a number of capacities, though focusing
on production. She worked on "Black
News," in the 1970s, when circumstances
required news networks to "hire
people of color to cover" the
often race-based and volatile breaking
news in the nation's urban centers.
And, she learned as much as she could--including
work in front of and behind the camera.
Her own diverse experience has taught
Smith to "speak the language"
in communicating with the myriad of
talented people she is committed to
prepare for careers in entertainment
television for ABC.
Before promotion to her present position
in 2001, Smith, a New Yorker who has
been in the Southland for a little
more than two years, handled outreach
and community relations. She worked
with the United Nations and produced
the organization's launch and video
programming for the "International
Year of the Volunteer" celebration.
In a recent interview, Smith detailed
the challenges and rewards in heading
ABC's Talent Development Programs.
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