Pictured left is Karen Graci. She is awesome. There are many other ways to describe her, but that word just keeps popping into my head. The thing that stands out most to me about Karen is that she does it all. She has a career she is quickly moving up in, she has a passion she actively pursues that you will read more about here, and she has a family. While many people have just one or two, she's got all three. How on earth does she do it??? I thought the world might like to know, so I asked her for an interview.CRC: Let's start a little ways back. 10 years ago, where did you see yourself today?
KG: Ten years ago I had just left Washington, DC, and I moved to Chicago to study improvisational comedy at The Second City, ImprovOlympic (iO), and the Annoyance Theatre. My major in college had been International Relations, and I originally thought I would go to law school and then work in the field of international white collar crime (prosecuting, not perpetrating). I was sure I'd be a lawyer. I took the LSATs and everything. But I had done short form improv in college and loved it, and after a national tour of Much Ado About Nothing I knew I wanted to move to Chicago, the home of long form improv, and give it a shot. I toured with the Second City National Touring Company for two years after that and made my living performing for several years following in Chicago, Las Vegas and LA.
CRC: And where are you now?
KG: I live in LA with my husband and daughter, and I am a performer, writer and producer. I don't regret forgoing law school.
CRC: Are you originally from LA?
KG: No, I'm a proud native of Buffalo, NY.
CRC: When did you decide you wanted to come to LA? How did you get here?
KG: After writing and performing in Chicago, I knew I wanted more -- more opportunities to learn, perform, write, etc. I performed for the Second City at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas for about a year, doing sketch and improv comedy shows 10 times a week. And then the next step seemed to be LA -- more opportunities there. I'd be a much, much smaller fish in a much bigger pond, but why not. I could always go back to Chicago and work, but LA had many more possibilities.
CRC: When I first met you several years ago I never EVER would have guessed you moonlighted as a comedian. You were quiet, calm, and unassuming, (unlike most comedians). Then I saw your show and you were like this completely different person! You're hilarious!! You've even been on a USO tour. How did you manage to be successful in both worlds?
KG: You're so sweet. Thanks! I love being a performer and writing material too. My favorite is improvisation -- and trusting myself and those around me enough to know we will create memorable, truthful, funny moments. But I've always been a good student, and that part of me loves the work ethic needed for the producing side -- to see how things click, how logistically everything comes together. I like doing both.
CRC: You're in the big leagues now, a producer. What sparked that transition? How did you find yourself there?
KG: Haha, the "big leagues". I like that. I've been fortunate enough to work as Rodrigo Garcia's assistant for over three years, and during that time learned a great deal from him, on set and off. Producing seemed like the next logical step -- I was/am still pursuing writing projects on my own, but producing was something I wanted to learn from the ground up, too. I was lucky enough to work as the associate producer on Rodrigo's next feature, MOTHER AND CHILD, and produce a short film Rodrigo wrote and directed called TIRED OF BEING FUNNY, starring John Mahoney and Lili Taylor. They were both fantastic challenges. I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun, too.
CRC: Do you have a mentor? Someone who guides you and gives you advice?
KG: I ask Rodrigo for his opinion often. I truly respect him as an artist and a person. He's such a wonderful guy. I also always ask my parents -- even though they're not in the industry, they know me so well and always have a sharp, smart and loving point of view. My husband is a writer/performer/producer, too, and so of course he's also my go-to guy. I am very blessed to have so many great people in my corner.
CRC: Ever been given completely rubbish guidance?
KG: Hahaha usually I can take what people think and then make my own decisions -- sometimes they differ but mostly these people know me as well as I do.
[Check out the video to the right. See if you can spot Karen!]
CRC: What's the coolest thing you have gotten to do as part of the industry? Did you have any particular day where you just HAD to call your mom and say "OMG Mom! Today I got to ___________"?
KG: The coolest thing, I think, is to watch people -- people at the top of their game -- do what they do and make it look so easy. I watch Rodrigo direct, and sometimes the smallest adjustment or idea he gives an actor makes a world of difference in their performance. Or the way he chooses to frame a shot -- what's in the frame is just as important as what he excludes. That goes true in the editing room, as well. Also, Rodrigo's producing partner, Julie Lynn, makes producing look so easy -- but it's because of all of her hard work, tact, genuine relationships with people and the care she puts into her work. I love watching the actors, too -- Annette Bening, in MOTHER AND CHILD, made so many exceptional choices with her dialogue and character, that I was really amazed by her each day on set. I learn so much from all these people -- and the entire crew -- I really feel like a sponge on set, soaking everything up.
CRC: As you work for a producer/director/writer, I bet you get a lot of resumes and reels to look at. What helps one stand out more than another? Ever gotten one that was just plain crazy or extra bad?
KG: Most of the people Rodrigo meets and surrounds himself with are people who are working in the industry already, so I haven't had the occasion to see anything really crazy. People who take the initiative to write their own work or make their own films always stand out, for the better.
CRC: Well, thanks for the interview! Now, say something super wise and knowledge-y to all the folks out there reading this, who want to come to LA and do what you do.
KG: Well, a lot of people in the industry in LA come from entertainment families or "know someone" who gave them an "in" in the business. I didn't. But based on my experience, it doesn't matter if you've been in LA for years (I've been here for 5) or if you have those connections; it matters that you truly want to be here, that you work hard, be kind to people, and know that it will be up and down for YEARS. Friends of mine who moved to LA in the hopes of making a splash in only a year left disappointed. Friends of mine who are working stayed here at least five years and know what they want to do -- they write, perform, produce, direct -- and don't wait for someone to hand them a job. They are constantly creating their own material. That's the only way to stay inspired, I think. Do your own thing, stay true to what you want, and be prepared to pay your dues. Good things will follow.
You hear that people? Pay your dues and good things will follow! Listen to Karen.
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