Producer Kimberly SimpsonWhen did you know you wanted to be a producer?Hmmm, I was Rallies and Assemblies Commissioner when I was in high school, so I guess I’ve always been drawn to developing a concept and executing it. Especially if it involved a dance number, dramatic music or had the potential to get me out of math class. Not much has changed. When did you know you were in love with cupcakes?
I thought my publicist told you not to bring that up.
Why produce comedy? How is it different from producing films/TV Shows/Web Series/Sketch Videos of other genres?
When I was in college, I wrote what I felt was a very earnest and serious piece about important issues like body image and the oppression of women in a patriarchal society. The first time it was read in class, I had two major surprises:
1. People liked it; and 2. They were laughing.
Sometimes, the more serious I try to be, the funnier I become. For the most part, the comedy I love is very grounded and comes out of the trivialities of everyday life. What I think is funny is usually something I recognize as a truth that resonates and provides an opportunity to address social issues and dramatic situations with a lighter touch. Also, dramatic web series are a tough nut to crack. There are great ones that I love, but it’s challenging to find an audience.
If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?GLITTER BOMB!!! And a camera. And quickly running away. Do you have a producer you look up to? Why?
I have always been inspired by Christine Vachon. She takes risks and has managed to have a long and successful career. I am in awe of what she’s accomplished.
What’s the no. 1 lesson you’ve learned so far about producing?
Be wise enough to surround myself with brilliant people who know a lot more than I do and to trust my instincts. Most of the mistakes I’ve made were because I wasn’t confident enough at the time to fight for something I knew was right.
Kimberly with fellow D-Monster producer Sarah BartonAs a woman, do you note any differences in how you work with your director and crew versus how a male producer does?Only that I tend to worry more about what people are eating and if we have enough toilet paper. I wish I was kidding. Oh, and sometimes I cry. I’m probably not supposed to admit that. Geez, am I a horrible cliché or what?
In a dream gig, which comedy director would you love to work? Or which type of comedy project would be your dream project to produce?
I would love to work with Paul Feig or anyone who shares my passion for all things awkward and messy. Dream project: dark coming of age comedy.
Which character do you most resemble from “The Divas“?
Easy. Equal parts Frida and Shirley.
When you’re not producing, you’re…
Watching dance movies or back to back episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation; Scouring the internet trying to figure out what the kids are wearing, doing, buying, watching; Threatening to join the Peace Corps; Contributing stories about my cat, Sylvester, to other people’s conversations about their children.
What’s your favorite comedy movie or T.V. show of all time?
Movie is definitely Welcome to the Dollhouse and TV show is probably Nurse Jackie — That counts right? Prescription drug addiction is hilarious. Oh, and anything Miranda July does, EVER.
Title of your autobiography?
I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can (So Please Back the F*ck Off)
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Kimberly Simpson is a Los Angeles based producer who grew up in SoCal’s Inland Empire (aka the 909), where she dreamed of big cities, Broadway musicals and, of course, escaping the 909. She produced the critically-acclaimed web series DateAHuman.com for Babelgum and The D-Monster, an AFI Directing Workshop for Women film which was awarded Best Ensemble Cast and Best Writing at the Los Angeles Comedy Festival. Recently, Kimberly was tapped by comedy rock band The Axis of Awesome to produce the music video for their wildly popular “4 Chords” song, which currently boasts 2.7 million views on YouTube. Kimberly just wrapped post-production on short film Big Breakin’, fulfilling a lifelong dream of making a dance film. Currently, she is developing and producing a series starring Michaela Watkins, Holland Taylor, and Ari Graynor, slated to shoot in early 2012.
