From Loving TV to Leading It: Producer Kristen Barnett on Building a Career of Impact

KRISTEN BARNETT is Head of TV at Lea Pictures, Bradley Cooper's production company. Previously, she executive produced the FDR series and the Good Stuff Podcast.

What inspired you to pursue a career in entertainment?

I fundamentally identify as a “story person.”

I believe our superpower as a species is our ability to communicate with one another, and the primary way we do this across cultures, generations, and history is through storytelling.

Television was my first love and I always wanted to work in this space. I didn’t initially know I could make it into a career, so learning that in college was eye-opening.

But more than anything, watching a lot of TV and constantly thinking to myself, “I’d like to do that,” even though I didn’t know what part, led me to this business.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Honestly, I had really good mentors, so I received the advice I needed.

As a woman of color, I think it’s really about learning when to say no, how to say yes when you actually want to, and existing with confidence.

When you’re trying to climb the ranks, you end up doing a lot of extra work outside of your job description to prove you’re worthy of being there.

One guiding principle I learned from a mentor of mine is that you can’t afford to do all of that extra work in this business if that work won’t be attributed to you. You have to advocate for yourself.

Also, in entertainment, where passion can lead to taking on extra assignments, it’s important to separate what you’re supposed to do from what you need to do.

If you’re doing tasks outside your core responsibilities and feeling burnt out, that’s a misalignment you need to evaluate.

I learned early on how to balance my passion and hard work with setting boundaries.

What has been your most creatively fulfilling project?

There have been many projects I’ve been passionate about that didn’t make it through! I sold Lifetime their first gay-focused Christmas movie as a pitch, which was very exciting.

At Entertainment One, one of my first significant endeavors was developing Willa of the Wood. It was my first executive job, and it was one of those rare instances where you deeply fall in love with a book and then gush to the author about it.

That enthusiasm led me to talk to a friend who was running Amy Adams’ production company, which eventually brought her into the project and attached them.

Also, FDR is a very special project because I learned so much about Eleanor Roosevelt during it. She essentially invented daycare!

Something older that excited me was P-Valley. I worked at CAA for the agent who represented Katori Hall when she was pitching it. Later, I worked at STARZ and was involved in that show’s development as well.

Watching it evolve and following it through the entire process was incredibly satisfying.

Supporting artists who tell groundbreaking stories, and setting them up for success is the most fulfilling part of my work. I believe that enjoying the entire process and working with people you believe in is crucial.

As a producer, how do you maintain your personal well-being and work-life balance?

Since the pandemic, I’ve been working from home. That was an adjustment that really made me reassess my work-life balance.

I think doing something active helps. I try to dedicate at least an hour of my day to focusing solely on my physical health.

I make sure to stay in touch with friends and family. Most of my friends are film & TV nerds too, so we watch movies together and sometimes blur the lines between work and leisure. For anyone who genuinely loves their job, finding that cutoff can be difficult.

Another thing I try to do is leave LA every three months, even for just a weekend trip. Getting out of town helps me recharge, and avoiding LA traffic for a while is also a plus!

So definitely incorporate some physical activity, stay connected with friends (especially those outside the industry), and engage in other creative outlets.

How do you effectively manage a team while working from home?

I don’t think there’s a single “correct” way to do it. I make sure that we have team meetings and check-ins at least twice a week. It’s so important to see each other’s faces and minimize actual separation.

I also consider myself a relationship-based executive, so I make it a priority to advocate for my team and offer to introduce them to other contacts of mine.

We also meet in person every now and then, and those meetings can be more about enjoying each other’s company!

We've been able to maintain a constant workflow that is less traditional, but it’s what works for us.

Looking ahead, what changes would you like to see in the industry to support women of color in leadership?

I think we really have to tap into our networks and aggressively advocate for each other. As for specific programs, there isn’t a perfect training program for this role so you learn a lot by doing the job.

My advice for young women is to bring your whole self to the job, and value your unique experiences. Build your community, cultivate strong friendships, and find allies. Don’t shy away from being the only woman or person of color in the room.