Eric Karkheck
- Director
- Producer
- Writer
My career in media spans over two decades-a winding, often unpredictable path where perseverance and seizing every opportunity were the keys to survival. I began studying film production at Loyola University Chicago. The hands-on experience I gained at the campus's video production department and internships with local companies laid the groundwork for my technical and creative skills.
Upon entering the working world, I juggled a desk job with weekend shoots and took short-term, unpaid gigs. These experiences paved the way for bigger opportunities. For instance, a producer from New York recruited me to work on a fun feature length documentary about the world's largest trivia contest. It was a challenging experience, but it boosted my confidence and reinforced the importance of taking risks in creative work.
Throughout my early career, I embraced every opportunity that came my way because "work makes work." This meant accepting less-than-ideal roles that often stretched my limits-driving cross-country, couch surfing, and working grueling hours-all to keep the creative dream of filmmaking alive. Eventually this lead to my first steady job in TV on a nightly show for ESPN Classic.
Looking for more creative adventure, I enrolled in film school at USC. The experience of earning my MFA was transformative and intense. I interned at Morgan Freeman's Revelations Entertainment and George Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures. I grew as a filmmaker and storyteller.
After graduating I spent years writing spec scripts and freelance editing. Eventually, a relationship with a co-worker at the NFL Network turned into a pivotal full-time role at Spectrum Networks making content for the Lakers, Dodgers, and LA news. That job was the moment when the relentless hustle finally yielded enough stability to allow me to produce my own scripts. Now, when I'm not at Spectrum, I'm pushing my narrative productions forward and I'm proud to be in post-production on my first feature length film.
My career is a testament to the power of persistence, embracing opportunities, and the relationships you forge along the way. In an industry where change is the only constant, every challenge and setback has shaped me into the filmmaker and professional I am today, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Upon entering the working world, I juggled a desk job with weekend shoots and took short-term, unpaid gigs. These experiences paved the way for bigger opportunities. For instance, a producer from New York recruited me to work on a fun feature length documentary about the world's largest trivia contest. It was a challenging experience, but it boosted my confidence and reinforced the importance of taking risks in creative work.
Throughout my early career, I embraced every opportunity that came my way because "work makes work." This meant accepting less-than-ideal roles that often stretched my limits-driving cross-country, couch surfing, and working grueling hours-all to keep the creative dream of filmmaking alive. Eventually this lead to my first steady job in TV on a nightly show for ESPN Classic.
Looking for more creative adventure, I enrolled in film school at USC. The experience of earning my MFA was transformative and intense. I interned at Morgan Freeman's Revelations Entertainment and George Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures. I grew as a filmmaker and storyteller.
After graduating I spent years writing spec scripts and freelance editing. Eventually, a relationship with a co-worker at the NFL Network turned into a pivotal full-time role at Spectrum Networks making content for the Lakers, Dodgers, and LA news. That job was the moment when the relentless hustle finally yielded enough stability to allow me to produce my own scripts. Now, when I'm not at Spectrum, I'm pushing my narrative productions forward and I'm proud to be in post-production on my first feature length film.
My career is a testament to the power of persistence, embracing opportunities, and the relationships you forge along the way. In an industry where change is the only constant, every challenge and setback has shaped me into the filmmaker and professional I am today, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
