We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Kiely a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with something countless entrepreneurs have had to figure out on the fly – how have you dealt with the rise of remote work?
Working remotely has been the best for us as we have been able to develop scripts, get actors reading, doing budgets and schedules are all done remotely. I have more meetings with more important people via Zoom and Google Meets that I would normally meet. I save time and money having meetings electronically until it is time to meet physically.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started in Advertising working with Copy Righters for major UK Brands. Then I worked in the Film and TV department at the BBC on Wood Lane where I worked for 5 years before moving to LA for a pilot. I was a weather girl in Hong Kong for two years and then in 2007 I did Commercial Campaigns for Mattel, RAM, Yamaha, Pixar, Bratz Dolls and Nike. In 2014 I started my Development company Tall Brit Productions. I adapt books into scripts, look for finance and will attach talent. I worked on Karen, Isthmus, Year 2 with Frank Grillo, Billy Knight with Al Pacino and EPed Call Jane with Sigourney Weaver and Elizabeth Banks. I have done jobs from the bottom up, learning all the way, I am still learning. I create safe and fun sets. I love to train people so will go out of my way if someone is looking to move up I will give someone the chance. I was given chances and love to pay it forward.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I have always been from the mind of jumping in and figuring it out and learning on the go. Being willing, employers love. I love to teach people and help them grow to go on to other things. I have had an enormous Nos or even told I am not allowed to do something and usually those people have been stopped themselves so I never take it personally and I figure out how to do it anyway. I have always thought big. My step-father was extremely successful and he always told me don’t do anything you don’t want to do and enjoy life. Be kind to those below you as they will be on the up when you go down so be kind to people. I worked at the BBC UK and every six months I moved to another position much to jealousy and stops but I was reliable and turned up and always did a great job. I went to Hong Kong and called everyone I would need to audition for a presenter job and within 10 days I sat at lunch and a friend told me about a weather girl job. I auditioned and got the job, I made it my own with weather jewelry and clothes dictating the weather. I did the job for 2 years before going to LA. I didn’t have a green card but that Weather Girl job enabled me to get a work visa. I always take a no or a stop as an opportunity to figure out a yes.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Proving the Nay Sayers I could be successful be something when they said I could not and I have had them. When you have worked with Pacino you definitely can cross that off
Contact Info:
- Website: tallbritproductions.com
- Instagram: amanda_j_kiely
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandah.reyne
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-kiely-8808169/