In Proximity

From FRIENDS Intern to CRIMINAL MINDS TV Writer to Showrunner: How to Build a TV Writing Career

What does it take to build a successful TV writing career in comedy, procedurals, and drama? Executive producer, showrunner, and author Kimberly Ann Harrison reveals how she landed an internship on FRIENDS, wrote 78 episodes of CRIMINAL MINDS over 12 years, and made the leap to showrunner (DEPUTY, THE CROSSOVER, WASHINGTON BLACK). On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, Kim talks to host Paola Mardo about her transition from comedy to drama, the importance of finding a character's “why”, tips on pitching episodes and applying for writing jobs, lessons on loneliness and leadership, writing her debut novel BEYOND THE PADDOCK, and why her advice for new writers is to keep blinders on and just write.(00:00) Just write!(01:50) Born and raised in LA by teachers - shout out Diamond Bar!(03:30) College, Intro to Broadcasting, Tammy Trujillo, learning about TV(05:28) Interning on FRIENDS(07:15) How to get a job on the “FRIENDS of today”(08:45) Writer tips for the best cover letter ever(09:18) Lessons from the FRIENDS writers room(10:43) CRIMINAL MINDS, transitioning from comedy to drama, mentorship(14:30) Jumping from writers assistant to writer, pitching tips(16:30) It’s all about the “why” of the killer(17:20) Industry advice for writers today: “keep blinders on”, “it just takes one yes”(18:15) Becoming a showrunner(19:48) How lonely showrunning can be, how to lead and manage a team(22:26) Writing a novel: BEYOND THE PADDOCK(28:17) Prox RecsSHOP OUR PROX BOOK RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORGLEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COMWATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFYFOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOKIN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIAHost, Director, Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev OhanianTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonCo-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick EpinoSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken NanaSound Recordist: Isabella MillerMotion Graphics Designer: Apollo BaldozProduction Assistant: Isabella MillerPost-Production Coordinator: Celine MendiolaSocial Media Coordinator: Alexandria SantanaProduction Intern: Ben Caloza

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler on SINNERS, Lore, and Filmmaking

SINNERS lead actor Michael B. Jordan and writer/director/producer Ryan Coogler break down the Academy Award®-nominated film and their 10+ year collaboration in this exclusive conversation with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo.Michael dives deep into his acting process for playing dual roles as Smoke and Stack, sharing how he uses character journals, key phrases from archival recordings, and physical details to build his characters. Ryan reveals his screenwriting approach and his never-before-heard timeline mapping the Smokestack Twins’ backstory, including romances with Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) and Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), and their time in Chicago with Al Capone. Ryan also kicks off this very special episode by making lattes, sharing how his love for coffee connects to filmmaking and acts of service for the cast and crew. It's gonna be a real ring-a-ding-ding… so grab a cup of coffee (or Irish beer or Italian wine) and enjoy!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE(00:00) Smokestack Twins Lore(00:30) Host Paola Mardo intro(04:30) The boss today and Michael’s espresso life(06:00) Ryan makes us coffee: Cannes, George Clooney, set coffee culture, abstract latte art(09:30) Acts of service(12:20) From FRUITVALE STATION to SINNERS(14:35) 1A and 1B on the call sheet, why number 1 on the call sheet means leadership(19:00) Questions Michael asked Ryan after reading the SINNERS script, the surreal juke joint montage, Stack and Mary(23:16) Smokestack Twins Lore(27:12) Stack does Smoke’s hair(28:38) Smoke’s tremors(30:55) Journals as part of Michael’s acting process(32:55) When Smoke and Stack broke up, Ryan’s timeline spreadsheet, Mary, Annie, LORE (!), Chicago, Al Capone(36:30) How much older Smoke feels from Stack(38:00) Are you Smoke or Stack? Delta Slim, Mary, mystery, Ryan’s script to Michael’s acting performance(40:00) “When the actor becomes the expert on the character… the twins are his now… then twins belong to the movie”(40:25) Stack being a liar, Smoke telling the truth(42:00) Mike’s improvised moments, Smoke versus Hogwood(45:23) Preparing for the roles of Smoke and Stack, dialect coach, physicality, different sized shoes, chakra work, childhood trauma(49:30) Key phrases(50:35) “Made in Mississippi" documentary archival recordings (directors: William Ferris, Judy Peiser)(51:51) Drawing from history and real people to bring characters and script to life, Michael’s and Ryan’s family history, sharecroppers, ancestry, Uncle James(53:22) Scene Breakdown: Smoke teaching a young girl to negotiate, “numbers in conversation”(56:11) Smoke as “a fun character to write but it was a really fun character to see Mike play”(58:05) “These are very BAD men”(58:59) Mike is “like a Tom Hanks!”(1:00:30) “He never knifed nobody… that I know of!”(1:04:00) Prox RecsSHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORGLEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COMWATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFYFOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOKIN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIAHost, Director, Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev OhanianTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonCo-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick EpinoSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditor: Patrick EpinoProduction Sound Mixer: Mark PatinoCamera Operator: Josh OrtizAssociate Producer: Celine MendiolaProduction Coordinator: Joy WooProduction Assistant: Devin SaddlerProduction Intern: Ben CalozaSocial Media Coordinator: Alexandria SantanaMotion Graphics Designer: Apollo BaldozBarista: George Stevenson

PROX GEMS: Filmmaking 101

Essential filmmaking advice from industry pros: writer/director Justin Tipping breaks down the Tagalog needle drop in the Jordan Peele-produced sports horror film HIM and how Busta Rhymes' "Gimmie Some More" and Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO inspired the score (featuring "AIGHT?" by Carl Angelo and music by composer Bobby Krlic); EYES OF WAKANDA creator/director Todd Harris explains why directors should touch multiple departments; and SUPERGIRL actor, writer, and producer Azie Tesfai reveals how a bad audition made her better.Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.comShop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.orgWatch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, SpotifyFollow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.comIN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIAHost, Director, Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev OhanianTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonCo-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick EpinoSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Andrea WalterMotion Graphics Designer: Apollo BaldozProduction Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin SaddlerSound Production Assistant: Isabella MillerPost-Production Coordinator: Celine MendiolaSocial Media Coordinator: Alexandria SantanaProduction Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

Creative Direction, Music Videos, and Live Events with Mike Carson

Mike Carson is a multidisciplinary creative director and designer. Last year, he co-creative directed and production designed Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which drew over 133 million live viewers, making it the most-watched halftime performance ever and one of 2025’s biggest cultural moments.On this episode, Mike talks to IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo about his journey from filming music videos at 19 with Big Sean (including the iconic millennial bop “Dance (A$$)” Remix featuring Nicki Minaj) and working alongside mentor Virgil Abloh, to becoming one of the most sought-after creative directors today. He also shares his creative process behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show, filming a documentary on Kanye West and Jay-Z on their 2011 Watch the Throne tour, his approach to production design for live experiences, why his laptop is essential to every project, and the art and business of the music video.WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE(00:00) The 12-minute music video(02:00) Director first, designer second(03:00) Creative directing and production designing Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show(08:30) The process of creative directing(10:13) How the LA fires impacted rehearsal; shout out choreographer Charm La'Donna(13:05) How being multidisciplinary helps his work(13:37) Working with Virgil Abloh(17:30) What he learned from Virgil(18:30) Filming Kanye West and Jay-Z on the Watch the Throne(19:54) Voice Memo from the “muse” Big Sean(25:19) Directing music videos(27:12) First big budget video, Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” Remix ft. Nicki Minaj(29:40) Bringing back the delusion, childlike curiosity – just create!(31:15) Mike’s design process(36:28) Prox RecsSHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORGLEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COMWATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITYYOUTUBEAPPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFYFOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIAINSTAGRAMTIKTOKIN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIAHost, Director, Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev OhanianTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonCo-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick EpinoSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Ben CalozaSound Recordist: Isabella MillerMotion Graphics Designer: Apollo BaldozProduction Assistant: Isabella MillerPost-Production Coordinator: Celine MendiolaSocial Media Coordinator: Alexandria SantanaProduction Intern: Ben Caloza

PROX GEMS: Industry Tips and Advice

Kick off the new year with advice from industry pros: manager James Swoope on why you need “something to manage” before getting representation, actor/writer/producer Azie Tesfai on asking for what you want and crowning yourself, and designer Jeff Staple on balancing art with business. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.comShop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.orgWatch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, SpotifyFollow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.comIN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIAHost, Director, Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev OhanianTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonCo-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick EpinoSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Andrea WalterMotion Graphics Designer: Apollo BaldozProduction Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin SaddlerSound Production Assistant: Isabella MillerPost-Production Coordinator: Celine MendiolaSocial Media Coordinator: Alexandria SantanaProduction Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza