|
Photo by Jeff Vespa
CAROL BAUM, film and TV producer, has produced 34 movies, 17 of them independently. As co-president of Sandollar Productions, Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin’s production company, she produced such hits as Father of the Bride; the Academy Award-winning documentary Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt; Jacknife; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Kicking and Screaming; and many more. As an indie producer, Baum's films include The Good Girl, My First Mister, and Boychoir, as well as television movies for Hallmark and several documentaries. Baum currently teaches producing in the Film and Television Production Division at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She is also a mentor for the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC.
https://www.carolfriedlandbaum.com/
Creative Producing, Carol Baum’s book, was inspired by her teaching experience at the American Film Institute, and at USC, where, as an active producer, she instructs students how to enter Hollywood once they graduate. This instructive and informative book contains a rich array of entertaining anecdotes from the author's own experience – Carol's journey from a New Jersey suburb to male-dominated Hollywood, where she managed to produce 34 movies while raising her children with her writer husband. It's a star-studded story with cameos by everyone from Robert De Niro to Quentin Tarantino, from Sam Shepard to Dolly Parton.
“Why did I write this book? It’s not just because I love movies. Or that I love talking about them. Or gossiping about people in Hollywood. Or sharing stories about all the actors, directors, writers, and Horrible Bosses I’ve known. All of that happens to be true, but I have lots of other reasons too. First, it’s because I wish I’d had a book like this when I was starting out— an intimate look behind the Hollywood curtain, a guide to all the skills you need to survive as a producer. And since the producer’s role is so widely misunderstood, I wanted to let people in general know what a producer does— and how knowing what expert producing involves can enhance the experience of watching a movie.” ––Carol Baum, Introduction, Creative Producing
"For a director, Carol Baum is a dream producer. She champions your vision, has your back when crises arise, offers astute feedback, and makes every member of the team feel valued. Most importantly, after having produced successful features in every genre over many decades, Carol remains as passionate about movies as ever." ––Ken Kwapis, Director, He's Just Not That Into You, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Larry Sanders Show, The Office
"Anybody and everybody would gain from Carol's wide-ranging experience and knowledge. I myself have had the pleasure of working with her and speak from personal experience." ––Larry Turman, Producer, The Graduate; Author of So You Want to Be a Producer; former Chair of USC's Peter Stark Producing Program for 30 years
"What does it take to be a success in this crazy business? Don’t ask me. I just work here. But I know someone who can fill you in on it all… Carol Baum. She has taste, talent, know-how, and a lifetime of experience as a successful working producer. So, crack this thing open and let her show you the ropes." ––Harvey Fierstein, Actor/Writer, Kinky Boots, Torch Song Trilogy, Hairspray, Tidy Endings
"I have yet to meet a sharper or more knowledgeable producer. I was in good hands with Carol Baum; you will be, too." ––Andy Breckman, Writer/Producer, Monk, Rat Race, I.Q.
"We wrote You Kill Me as a writing sample, honestly never dreaming it would get made. Carol Baum knew better than we did. She made our non-dream a splendid reality." ––Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, Writers/Producers, Avengers: Endgame, The Gray Man, You Kill Me
"Carol Baum is all in on the creative process of filmmaking. Completely committed to her team, and like all good leaders she knows when to step in and also when to step back and let the process find its own rhythm. Having worked with her in production and development, her understanding of story and writing is one of her strongest suits. In a sometimes ruthless business it’s reassuring to know that you have a true pro like Carol in your corner." ––John Dahl, Director, The Last Seduction, You Kill Me, Ray Donovan, Yellowstone
"Carol Baum is a fantastic producer who understands filmmakers and storytelling and cinema as well as the ways to get films made and distributed." ––David O. Russell, Writer/Director, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle
Book Description:
Go behind the scenes with the producer of Father of the Bride to learn all the skills necessary to be a top Hollywood producer
As former co-president of Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin's production company, Sandollar, and as a successful independent producer, Carol Baum is an expert in the art of film production. Creative Producing provides a crash course in the often-misunderstood producer's role and the many skills needed to survive and thrive in Hollywood. Readers receive a master class in production––from pitching, script development, and packaging, to working with stars, directors, and difficult executives. Enhanced with behind-the-scenes stories from Baum's illustrious career, Creative Producing offers an intimate look behind the Hollywood curtain to give film students, cinephiles, aspiring executives, and industry insiders a must-have guide to understanding film development from successful pitch to hit picture.
AVAILABILITY: Carol Baum is available for interviews and appearances in person in Los Angeles and environs, travel by arrangement, and by phone, email or Zoom.
| 
