PASSIONATE PROFESSIONALS

The Queens World Film Festival, New York Women in Film and Television, Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, The Gaia Zine and Epicenter – NY proudly announce PASSION in ACTION, a day-long mentoring event to bring high school and college students together with Passionate Professionals in the Arts, Sciences, Finance, Women’s Sports, Nonprofit Sectors and More.

The morning session of this day long event will concentrate on developing personal professionalism related to the arts including developing a mission statement, compiling ideas on how to promote your work and creating your back pocket networking tool kit. The afternoon is devoted to a round robin speed networking event so that all attendees have the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with 3 different Passionate Professionals.

The morning will concentrate on developing personal professionalism related to the arts with the afternoon devoted to a round robin networking event so that all attendees, have the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with 3 different Passionate Professionals.

Thank you to Susan Kim for being one of our Passionate Professionals!

Susan Kim

Writers Guild of America East, ASCAP

Susan has worked in television as a headwriter, story editor, and writer on over 60 children’s series, including DRAGON TALES, THOMAS & FRIENDS, BEA’S BLOCK, BUBBLE GUPPIES, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, DEEPA & ANOOP, NINA’S WORLD, ARTHUR, CYBERCHASE, PEG + CAT, OCTONAUTS, WONDER PETS!, and many more. She has also written documentaries for adults, including Rising Against Asian Hate (WNET/PBS) and “Plague at the Golden Gate” (AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, PBS). As a playwright, Susan has written one-acts which have been produced in NYC and around the country, as well as the stage adaptation of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. With her husband, Susan has written two graphic novels: City of Spies and Brain Camp. She and Laurence wrote the young adult trilogy, Wasteland (Harper Collins.) Susan also leads the Sesame Writers’ Room, which trains diverse writers in writing children’s television. In its sixth year, it is a program she helped develop with Kay Wilson Stallings at Sesame Workshop.

Question & Answer

What is a personal character trait that you have leaned on in your career?

Independence.

What is your best advice for young creatives who are thinking about college?

College can be a great place to meet people whom you will know for the rest of your life, personally and professionally. It can be a place to safely and easily explore lots of different areas and an environment where you can figure out what you really want to do. However, college can obviously be expensive and take up years of your life. In other words, it’s a very personal decision for you and your family to really think through. It’s not for everyone, but it can also be terrific.

What is your best advice for young creatives who are beginning their careers?

Find a day job that will pay the bills but also leave you enough time and energy to focus on your creative dreams. Live cheaply and save money when you can — surviving as a creative should be your priority, not funding a lavish lifestyle. Find and then stay in touch with your people — fellow artists who are talented, kind, and funny, and who get your work.