Meet Mick Cohen-Carroll

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mick Cohen-Carroll and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mick, what makes you happy? Why?
Championing unique voices and diversity in storytelling makes me happy! My goal in life is to make the world a more empathetic, thought-provoking, and funny place. I am most attracted to stories that make me roar with laughter while simultaneously giving me a deeper understanding of existence. I love exploring the absurd and want to work on movies and TV shows which are not only creative and fun, but also represent different cultures, narrative formats and do some genre-bending.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Creativity has always inspired me. I’ve expressed myself through different outlets overtime but Film and TV has always been my love.

Interning at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave me great perspective on the archival, awards and prestige part of the industry. My experiences at Disney and Story House/Netflix gave me a glimpse into the structure of a studio and a deeper appreciation for the development process. Independent producing has taught me how to build a project from the ground up and be resourceful.

Right now, I’m producing a short film called LAVENDER. It’s a screwball comedy (MY MAN GODFREY is one of my favorite movies ever…) about a lavender marriage in 1930s Hollywood. It’s one that’s particularly close to my heart because I am a big fan of old movies and the tone, style and world we’ve built in this one winks at some of the conventions from that “Golden” era of filmmaking. My Stark classmate and friend, Matt Chenuz, is the director. It’s been a joy to see him and all the cast and crew really get into it — I’m so proud of the team we’ve built.

I’m also developing a few scripts, including one I optioned — a dark comedy with a hilarious writer I met at the Oscars. All my projects are so different from one another, it’s exciting to bounce around between them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A perfect trip would revolve around movies, naturally. Los Angeles is heaven for cineastes and I enjoy both the repertory theaters and the big blockbusters. As a fan of old, international, and indie films, I really appreciate being able to see iconic movies or cult classics on the big screen any given day of the week. Having grown up in Paris and lived in Chicago and New York, I’ve been blessed with wonderful cinema scenes, but Los Angeles is another world. Every time I go to the movies, I can hear people debating, analyzing or trading industry stories. The crowds at The Vista or The New Beverly are particularly fun to be a part of. As a member of the American Cinematheque, I also take full advantage of their programming and that of the Academy Museum, especially their “Branch Selects.”

In terms of other itinerary suggestions, I’d definitely take them to explore architectural landmarks like the Bradbury Building in DTLA or the Tile House in Venice. I’d also make sure they catch the sunset at Barnsdall Art Park, pick out a book at Stories in Echo Park or go salsa dancing at La Descarga. But most of all, I would encourage anyone to visit a neighborhood they haven’t seen before and make the city their own.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My cohort at USC Stark has been a wonderful support system and feels like the community I was hoping to foster when I first moved to Los Angeles. Shoutout to my year and people from other years whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Your warmth, friendliness and incredible talent is not unnoticed!

And also, big shoutout to my family and friends who always believe in me 🙂

Website: https://mickcohen-carroll.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-cohen-carroll/

Image Credits
Photo by Natasha Cohen-Carroll (AKA, my wonderful sister)