Introduction (01-03)
Scott Zakarin's Head (04-92)
Scott Zakarin's Résumé
Acknowledgments
Articles
Biography

Scott Zakarin's Head, external view

Introduction

^[01] Have you ever read about a person or met someone and wished you could just sit there and learn as much as you could from them? Someone so interesting that you could pick their brain for hours? Mr. Zakarin is such a soul as that. Creator and the mind behind the online success that was The Spot, pioneered AOL's Entertainment Asylum Entertainment, executive producer of many films including Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters, and Marvels and Hail Sid Caesar! The Golden Age of Comedy and now CEO of his own company Creative Light Entertainment.

^[02] [02] This interview started out to support Renee O’Connor’s future works in Reality eXtreme and Creative Light Entertainment. Boy, did this turn out to be so much more. I get such a kick when a talent takes these interviews to heart and really sits down and answers the questions on how they feel or think. It turns out so well. I would like to thank a certain PR person for making this happen. I won’t post the name because they don’t need to have 5000 Xenites crashing their mail. LOL! I would also like to thank Mr. Zakarin for letting us get to know him

^[03] All you striving artists out there keep an eye on the Creative Light Site. You'll learn a tip or two when the time comes and I bet it will be well worth it: http://www.crlight.com/

Scott Zakarin's Head

Interviewer:
^[04] Can you give novice readers an idea who Scott Zakarin is please?

Scott Zakarin:
^[05] I'm a family man with two homes. One that I share in the Pacific Palisades with my wife Debra and our two kids Caleb (5), Maci (3), and, the other is on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills where I work with sixteen of the nicest, brightest, and most talented people I've ever known.

Link to all the great people of Creative Light Entertainment: http://www.crlight.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Bio&file=index

Interviewer:
^[06] Describe a typical day in the life of Scott Zakarin.

Zakarin:
^[07] I wake up in the morning, usually to my daughter saying, "Daddy, I want a BaBa in Mommy's bed". I'll get her, chuck her in with my wife while she relaxes with the latest episode of Little Bear. Then I go into work. I normally get in anywhere between 7:30am and 10:30am depending on my schedule. Then I attend various meetings, dealing with our projects, editing, producing, and doing whatever else is needed to support the process.

Interviewer:
^[08] How did Creative Light Entertainment come about?

Zakarin:
^[09] I started Creative light with Rich Tackenberg over five years ago with the desire to start a league of our own. Utilizing the skills we learned on the Internet, our concept was to create a unique entertainment company that is empowered by the consumer and is one with the Zeitgeist. A year later Peter Jaysen joined and we continued to define the company even further. http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/

Interviewer:
^[10] What did it take to get CLE off the ground?

Zakarin:
^[11] When we first started the company, we worked out of Rich's apartment for a month until we could get our space. There were five of us at the beginning and we didn't make any serious revenue for at least into the second year. Fortunately we were able to survive that long. Today the company continues to grow and find its place with vertically integrated revenue streams in production and distribution.

Interviewer:
^[12] Where would you like to see CLE going in the future?

Zakarin:
^[13] Today we are 'a mini studio'. Overtime I think that we are just going to continue to be, less 'mini'.

Interviewer:
^[14] How do you handle being not only the CEO, but producing, directing, and even writing projects at times? And out of all of these jobs, which do you enjoy the most?

Zakarin:
^[15] Actually, I'm planning on transitioning out of the CEO position within the next six months to a year. Ultimately, in my heart, I'm a filmmaker and being the head creative and being CEO are sometimes in conflict. So, in the future, I'm just going to be the head creative and produce and direct my own films as well.

Interviewer:
^[16] Which do you enjoy more, projects for television, film or the Internet?

Zakarin:
^[17] They all have their wonderful possibilities. The world is changing in entertainment right now and revolutions are upon us. We can see what's happened just with reality television over the past few years. I think we are going to see some of the same things in the film and the Internet. Even though the Internet is still a little dormant as an entertainment vehicle today, doing The Spot in 1995 was probably the most creatively satisfying of all the projects that I've ever done. However, at the heart, I consider myself a filmmaker and I want to explore the possibilities in that arena.

Blurb about The Spot:

In the spring of 1995 Zakarin created the first "episodic Web show", The Spot, establishing an industry precedent for interactive entertainment. The Spot was an online entertainment phenomenon and was viewed throughout the United States and in 46 international countries. Additionally, The Spot was awarded the very first "Webby", the Internet's equivalent to the Academy Award for the Coolest Site on the World Wide Web.

Interviewer:
^[18] What's the first thing people would notice about you that they might think was odd?

Zakarin:
^[19] I think they would be surprised to find that I am so readily willing to admit my weaknesses. Ultimately I think the best way for me to be a strong creative person is to recognize what I'm not capable of so that I can concentrate on what I am capable of. I think that sort of honesty and willingness to call myself a moron often surprises people.

Interviewer:
^[20] Who would you say is your favorite person to work with?

Zakarin:
^[21] That's a loaded question, but I'd have to say my wife because we have to work on bringing up our children together. Next to that, would be my working partners, Rich Tackenberg and Peter Jaysen, who are the best partners a guy could have.

Interviewer:
^[22] Tell us about The Spot.

Zakarin:
^[23] The Spot was just a wonderful experience for me. I don't believe this company would exist if The Spot hadn't found it's way into the culture back in 1995. We are always considering with the current right's owners of The Spot, doing a Spot movie or TV show. It gets brought up every couple of months and sometimes we get real serious about it. I think we will see a return to Spot Online matched with either a TV show or a movie in the not too distant future.

Interviewer:
^[24] When is the last real break you had, and what did you do or not do with it?

Zakarin:
^[25] Having Miramax buy the North American rights to Comic Book: The Movie has really helped open up a lot of doors for us. We are very interested in continuing in the Pulp-fantasy/Comic Book/Horror worlds and it helped give us access to some of the best talent. We are currently optioning projects that we are passionate about in these arenas.

Link to Miramax: http://www.miramax.com/
Link to Comic Book: The Movie: http://www.comicbookthemovie.com/

Comic Book: The Movie, someday coming to a theatre near you!

Interviewer:
^[26] What job do you have regularly have to do that you hate, and what would you pay to have it done by someone else?

Zakarin:
^[27] Although I enjoy being entrepreneurial and I love being part of the strategy and business of my company, I'm not interested in continuing to be the CEO. I look forward to putting the right person into that job so I can really concentrate on the product and my filmmaking career.

Interviewer:
^[28] What is your dream movie you'd love to acquire?

Zakarin:
^[29] I'm actually very upset over the fact that Pippin was just picked up by Miramax. Now I know that Miramax is the company I have my first look picture deal with but I don't think, with my lack of movie musical experience (although the first movie I ever made was an original musical) they'd give me the opportunity to do Pippin which has always been my dream project. Maybe Bob and Harvey will read this interview and give me a chance to at least pitch it.

^[30] I have a very interesting and unique take on it and it has been a passion project of mine for years. I've tried to get the rights at different times but didn't have the wherewithal and now Miramax has it. Give me a call Bob and Harvey.

Pippin site: http://www.pippin.com/ (Site is under construction right now)

Interviewer:
^[31] Tell us as much as you can about Reality eXtreme please.

Zakarin:
^[31] Reality eXtreme is meant to pull back the curtain on the recent phenomenon of reality television. One of the things that people are most curious about is what really happens on reality shows. How much producing and how much manipulation goes into it. I think that some of the real stories that go on behind the scenes are far more outrageous than anything that could ever be shown on television. It also gives us the opportunity to work again with the talented actors of Comic Book: The Movie, including Billy West, Roger Rose, Jess Harnell, and company.

Billy West's Resume: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0921942/
Roger Rose's Resume: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0741648/
Jess Harnell's Resume: http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0363641/

Interviewer:
^[32] What made you decide to hire Ms. Renee O'Connor?

Zakarin:
^[33] Renee, aside from being a pop-culture icon is also one of the sweetest actresses you'll ever meet. She has a genuine accessibility and her fans can see that. She can also kick some *** and she even does nun-chucks, so what more can you ask for? The project that she is attached to Xenophobia (it's not fear of Xena: Warrior Princess, that's a total coincidence, I swear) is a great sci-fi premise that we really haven't seen yet. Renee's role requires real strength of character, which makes her the perfect choice.

Interviewer:
^[34] What's in your CD player right now?

Zakarin:
^[35] A mix of Billy West's cues that he wrote for Comic Book: The Movie, some seventies music because I'm still stuck in that era, and some other discs from friends who are musicians. There's nothing like knowing the person behind the music.

Interviewer:
^[36] Do you think it is easier for women to work in the industry now than it was twenty years ago?

Zakarin:
^[37] I believe that women are capable of doing everything at least as well as men. There should be affirmative action in both government and the entertainment industry so that we can get some sanity back into both of those businesses.

Interviewer:
^[38] What were your favorite TV show and/or book as a kid?

Zakarin:
^[39] I was a fanatic for Superman, the television show with George Reeves, which I saw in repeats. Reeves was really an underrated actor who brought dignity to the role of the man of steel.

Site about George Reeves: http://www.celebhost.net/georgereeves/superman1.html

Interviewer:
^[39] Name or state a portion of a speech that inspired you or has stuck in your head over the years.

Zakarin:
^[40] I've always been inspired by Barnum but not the "Sucker" line because I always found that to be insulting to the consumer. But the idea of recognizing something that's always been there and yet people haven't seen it, is his definition of genius.

^[41] Of course I've always been a bit of a rebel and someone who people often overlook as a serious threat. So, I've always enjoyed Einstein's quote: "Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds".

Interviewer:
^[42] Describe your current project, and what are the plusses and minuses about it so far?

Zakarin:
^[43] There are a number of current projects going on. Comic Book: The Movie is just about to be delivered to Miramax and that has been a wonderful experience, a bold and almost experimental film that I think has turned into one of the funniest and most meaningful films I've ever been involved in.

^[44] Other projects include, Coming Out Party, featuring seven wonderful storytellers who are willing to share their deeply personal experiences being gay in a prejudiced world. I'm really proud to be a part of that.

Interviewer:
^[45] Are you on a special diet for health or moral reasons?

Zakarin:
^[46] I have a Jewish stomach so I tend to stay away from fatty foods and also high cholesterol. As for moral reasons? I try not to think about that.

Interviewer:
^[47] What book have you re-read the most often?

Zakarin:
^[48] It sounds cliché but my answer is Catcher in the Rye. It's probably the only book I've ever reread. You just can't beat the openness of Holden Caufield. That is something I aspire to do with my own work.

Amazon.com link to Catcher in the Rye: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books-index&field-keywords=Catcher%20In%20The%20Rye&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_blake_3/002-9645330-9672802

Interviewer:
^[49] Do you think that the current rash of Reality TV shows illustrates that the networks are running out of ideas? Or - Do you think that the current rash of reality TV shows illustrates that the genre is already running out of steam? How do you see the future of Reality TV?

Zakarin:
^[50] Reality TV, in my opinion is a revolution, and I don't think it's about running out of ideas. I think we have a fascination with how people interact and when popular fiction doesn't seem to find any new spins on relationships there's nothing like reality. I think reality, as a fad, is starting to wane, but reality as a genre is here to stay and I think you'll continue to see new outrageous stunt oriented shows on one side and quality shows like Survivor on the other.

Survivor site: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor6/

Interviewer:
^[51] Many of our reality TV shows are sold abroad - what impression would you say they're portraying of the USA, and how accurate is that impression of Americans?

Zakarin:
^[52] Obviously, reality shows are somewhat manipulated, but people are people and you clearly see the personality of the show runner on each show the same way you would on a sit-com. There are some great sit-coms but most of them are not so great. The same applies to reality TV.

Interviewer:
^[53] What is the greatest thing you wish for your children?

Zakarin:
^[54] I hope that they grow up in a safe world and can have the opportunities that we have today. From there, they should be themselves because who they are, are wonderful people.

More than just Scott's head, his stairwell too!

Interviewer:
^[55] Do you feel safer now after 9-11? Has society learned anything?

Zakarin:
^[56] Of course I don't feel safer after 9-11. I don't think anybody can. Obviously there has been a knee-jerk reaction that led us closer to being a police state, maybe a bit of that was needed, but I hope to God that we find a better way than trying to force people to change their core beliefs. I hope that through interactive media we are able to understand more clearly other people's cultures and that we can learn more tolerance. I think mutual understanding is our only real salvation.

Interviewer:
^[57] How can a newbie writer get their big break?

Zakarin:
^[58] Oliver Stone said, "Just write. You've got to keep writing". As far as getting lucky early on in your career, I don't think that is necessarily a good thing. Maybe that's because I wasn't particularly lucky early on in my career. Ultimately, I think writing is a craft that needs to be developed. You have to start with talent and then develop it. I think that if you are a really good writer, you will find a way to get yourself a job and if you are substandard writer you have to hope to get lucky.

Interviewer:
^[59] What words of wisdom can you give people who may want to get into production?

Zakarin:
^[60] Look at the Creative Light website http://crlight.com because we are going to share all sorts of stuff on that one.

Interviewer:
^[61] What keeps you relatively sane?

Zakarin:
^[62] I sound like a broken record but I would have to say my family. My wife is an incredibly supportive person who is my partner in our mission in life. My home is filled with love and that is certainly what keeps me sane and happy.

Interviewer:
^[63] What are the key ingredients to a great story?

Zakarin:
^[64] I'm not giving away trade secrets.

Interviewer:
^[65] What s the most satisfying part of the creative process for you?

Zakarin:
^[66] I'm the type who actually enjoys just about every aspect of production. I enjoy the development, I enjoy the production, and I love watching the final music being mixed into the final picture. So it's tough for me to single out any one area.

Interviewer:
^[67] Which TV show is drawing your attention lately? Why?

Zakarin:
^[68] I am a South Park fanatic. I think that the freedom that my idols, Matt and Trey, seem to have, has allowed them to create truly original, cutting edge entertainment. The show has developed over the years to be an important social commentary, a modern day Doonesbury.

South Park Site: http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/southpark/
Doonesbury Site: http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/

Interviewer:
^[69] Is the glass half empty or half full right now? How will it be in a year?

Zakarin:
^[70] Right now the glass is half full. In a year, I hope it's all the way full.

Interviewer:
^[71] When and how did you last screw up?

Zakarin:
^[72] What time is it?

Interviewer:
^[73] Where would you like to be in five years? Where would you like your company to be?

Zakarin:
^[74] I would love to be making, meaningful films, that are commercially viable -- that's what I will be doing.

Interviewer:
^[75] Can two creative people live together without driving each other crazy sometimes?

Zakarin:
^[76] Yes, my wife is a children's book author and we absolutely enjoy being crazy together. I only hope our children get some of that.

Interviewer:
^[77] What's your ultimate fantasy?

Zakarin:
^[78] Currently it's taking a vacation with my wife where all we do is lay in bed, watching television, reading, eating, and other stuff that I'm not going to go into because I'm forty years old and nobody wants to hear it.

Interviewer:
^[79] Name one thing you think you're really good at.

Zakarin:
^[80] I think I'm really good at appreciating talent. I feel that I'm very good at attracting the best people around me. I look forward to getting the benefit of spending a career with these talented people.

Interviewer:
^[81] Do you watch your older productions? If so, how do you feel about them now?

Zakarin:
^[82] I haven't watched my older stuff recently. I still do though have a warm heart for just about everything that I have produced. It sounds cliché but they are my children.

Interviewer:
^[83] Are you where you want to be, or are you wondering how you got where you are now?

Zakarin:
^[84] It's actually a great question because I am about to turn 40 and it gives you a chance to take stock of your life. I realize that I am a very fortunate man and don't take any of my blessings for granted.

Interviewer:
^[85] What one show/movie would you like to bring back but make it better in your own vision?

Zakarin:
^[86] Being a big fan of superhero material, I would love to get a crack at doing a Superman movie. Spiderman also interested me greatly although I do think that they did a great job with it. To be able to take the mythos of a super powered character in today's world, like my hero Stan Lee had done so well in the sixties, and continues to do today would be a dream job. I think I could knock the cover off the ball producing a Superman movie.

Stan Lee's long list of credits: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0498278/

Interviewer:
^[87] Is the Internet a great place or a forum of evil?

Zakarin:
^[88] The Internet is a great place. I think it needs to be there for people to get a glimpse of what other people feel. It's a great vehicle for freedom of speech and a great vehicle for cultures to mix and match to create a single, tolerant, diverse society. What was so wonderful about doing The Spot was how we would be talking to people from all different countries where we were all talking about the same issues. You can find like-minded people from everywhere and once those barriers are broken down, that's our best chance for everlasting peace.

Interviewer:
^[89] What makes you laugh?

Zakarin:
^[90] Doing interviews like this. In retrospect it's kind of like a personality quiz. I dig the style.

Interviewer:
^[91] What could I have done to make this interview better for you?

Zakarin:
^[92] It would have been great to have you face to face. Maybe next time.

Scott Zakarin's Résumé

Blurbs and Photo's Taken From The Creative Light Site: http://www.crlight.com/

Creative Light Entertainment site: http://www.crlight.com/
All About Creative Light: http://www.crlight.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1&page=1

New Project's For Creative Light: http://www.crlight.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=1

Creative Light World Wide: http://www.creativelightworldwide.com/

Producer - filmography
Creature Unknown (2003) (executive producer) (producer)
Spplat Attack (2002) (executive producer)
Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters, and Marvels (2002) (executive producer)
Hail Sid Caesar! The Golden Age of Comedy (2001) (executive producer)
The Sid Caesar Collection: The Fan Favorites - The Dream Team of Comedy (2001) (executive producer)
Mind Meld: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime (2001) (executive producer)
Shadow Fury (2001) (co-executive producer)
The Sid Caesar Collection: The Fan Favorites - Love & Laughter (2001) (executive producer)
The Sid Caesar Collection: The Fan Favorites - The Professor and Other Clowns (2001) (executive producer)
The Adventures of Cinderella's Daughter (2000) (producer)
The Sid Caesar Collection: Creating the Comedy (2000) (producer)
The Sid Caesar Collection: Inside the Writer's Room (2000) (producer)
The Sid Caesar Collection: The Magic of Live TV (2000) (producer)

Filmography as: Producer, Writer, and Director
Creature Unknown (2003) (writer)
Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters, and Marvels (2002) (director)
The Adventures of Cinderella's Daughter (2000) (director) (writer)

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Kamouraskan and Lariel for some great questions and help.

Articles

L. J. Maas and Murphy Wilson [Amy Murphy].One Step Beyond ... Uber, That Is. WHOOSH #49 (October 2000)

The "Inside the Head of..." series in Whoosh starting in issue #58

Biography

Amy Murphy
Amy Murphy resides in Indiana, and is an avid reader of Xena: Warrior Princess Fan Fiction. If it exists in the Xenaverse, chances are she has read it! Murphy has also tried her hand at writing fan fiction, turning out two very nice pieces that reside on a couple of web sites throughout the Xenaverse.

Favorite episode: IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE (24/124)
Favorite line: "I Have Many Skills" Various episodes
First episode seen: TITANS (07/107)
Least favorite episode: LYRE, LYRE HEARTS ON FIRE (100/510)