Jim Head
Television Executive Producer & Screenwriter
La Quinta,CA
Summary
Results-oriented Executive Producer and Screenwriter with more than 38 years of professional experience in the entertainment industry working on every angle of television from creating and programming to development and packaging to writing and producing. Possessing eye for innovative projects and skills in tapping into broad audience appeal. Successfully managing and overseeing all aspects of production and post-production, including marketing plans, budgeting and supervising high-performance teams of production personnel. Mentoring numerous colleagues to become better and stronger professionals in the industry. Seeking now to apply that experience and share it with younger generations who are coming along in the film and television industry. Natural inclination and aptitude for teaching, encouraging and leading.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Television Executive Producer & Screenwriter
Head First Productions
La Quinta, CA
03.2001 - Current
- Researched, created, developed, and pitched stories that reflected unique sensibilities of various network brands, principally in arena of television movies and mini-series.
- Executive produced and/or wrote sixty-four completed movies and mini-series for variety of major television networks and streamers, including Netflix, HBO, CBS, NBC, TNT, History, Hallmark, Lifetime, GAF, and Nickelodeon.
- Genres of writing and production ranged from romantic comedy to true crime to cozy mystery to Christmas/holiday to romantic drama/inspirational to LGBTQ-themed.
- Selected artists, writers, directors and crew members to work on television movies and mini-series.
- Made presentations to investors, financiers and other project stakeholders to obtain project funding.
- Applied creative, financial and legal management acumen to every area of film production.
- Determined project budgets to estimate and control overall project costs.
- Collaborated with legal department to draw up contracts for artists and crew members.
- Kept key stakeholders informed of status and vision through milestone updates and work-in-progress presentations.
- Supervised creation process to verify on brand, impactful and relevant content from creation through development, pre-production, production, and post-production.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase production efficiency.
- Facilitated communication between production staff and other departments to synchronize work.
- Liaised with directors, actors and other creative staff to successfully complete projects.
- Hired, trained and managed production staff and crew members to build highly qualified team and boost overall performance.
- Developed strong industry relationships with authors, writers, directors, agents, managers, and network executives.
- Supervised production teams of over 100 workers to identify problems and provide effective solutions to maintain team productivity and achieve desired result.
- Worked closely with editors, composers, visual effects artists, and sound engineers in post-production on all projects.
- Fostered LGBTQ artists, executive producing small independent features and web series featuring LGBTQ writers, directors, actors, and crew.
- Produced and invested in successful Broadway and West End productions, including revival of "Sweeney Todd" in New York and critically-acclaimed "Brokeback Mountain" in London.
Head of Original Programming
TBS
Atlanta & Los Angeles, GA & CA
09.1998 - 02.2021
- Created and oversaw original programming department for major cable television network, charged with developing and producing movies, series, and specials.
- Achieved highest rated original movies in all of cable television, including highest rated movie in cable television history at time of its airing, increasing network's overall ratings significantly enabling network to increase top 3 status and maximize advertising revenue.
- Established relationships with creative community for network and maintained and enhanced those relationships.
- Organized and detail-oriented with strong work ethic.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Demonstrated high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
Vice President of Programming
TBS
Atlanta, GA
09.1995 - 08.1998
- Improved program offerings based on changing trends, audience feedback and directives from station owners, helping network to achieve status as 1 of 3 highest-rated cable networks.
- Scheduled and monitored programming to air content as planned.
- Analyzed viewer data and adjusted programming lineup to maximize potential viewership.
- Facilitated programming by coordinating resources and deliverables between departments.
- Monitored programming schedules, conformance to guidelines and quality.
- Monitored programming trends to keep content relevant and up-to-date.
- Liaised with outside producers and provided creative input and oversight for original documentary programming and series.
- Verified accuracy of program laws and compliance with FCC rules and regulations
- Developed new program and feature ideas for station
- Developed and recommended policies and procedures for evaluating programs
- Analyzed viewer data and adjusted programming lineup to maximize potential viewership
- Monitored programming trends to keep content relevant and up-to-date
Senior Counsel
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Co.
Atlanta, GA
11.1989 - 08.1995
- Provided legal counsel to clients in house on diverse business and financial matters.
- Managed numerous clients included cable networks, CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and distribution arms, Turner Program Services and Turner International.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Performed due diligence on corporate acquisitions.
Associate Attorney
Alston & Bird
Atlanta, GA
09.1986 - 06.1988
- Provided legal advice to businesses involved in multiple types of litigation, including entertainment law, sports law, and medical malpractice.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest
- Assessed cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases
- Tracked and researched developing precedent and legislation in to maintain expertise and best advise and advocate for clients
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines
- Provided legal counsel to clients on diverse business, financial and civil matters
Law Clerk
Judge Robert S. Vance, U.S. Ct. Of Appeals 11th Ci
Birmingham, AL
07.1985 - 06.1986
- Law clerk for judge on United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit (Florida, Georgia, Alabama).
- Performed legal research, prepared for and attended oral arguments, assisted in writing case opinions, and aided judge in managing his caseload to increase his productivity.
Education
J.D. - Law
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 09.1982 - 05.1985
Bachelor of Arts - English And Mathematics
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 09.1978 - 05.1982
Skills
Content Development
Affiliations
Writers Guild of America
Writers Guild of Canada
Producers Guild of America
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
State Bar of California
State Bar of Georgia
Timeline
Television Executive Producer & Screenwriter
Head First Productions
03.2001 - Current
Head of Original Programming
TBS
09.1998 - 02.2021
Vice President of Programming
TBS
09.1995 - 08.1998
Senior Counsel
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Co.
11.1989 - 08.1995
Associate Attorney
Alston & Bird
09.1986 - 06.1988
Law Clerk
Judge Robert S. Vance, U.S. Ct. Of Appeals 11th Ci
07.1985 - 06.1986
J.D. - Law
Vanderbilt University
09.1982 - 05.1985
Bachelor of Arts - English And Mathematics
Vanderbilt University
09.1978 - 05.1982
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