We had the good fortune of connecting with Pam LaLima + Kari McFarland “Those Reality Girls” and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pam LaLima + Kari McFarland, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
We often hear “Cast a wide net in your job search and just start anywhere to break into the TV and Film Industry.” But we say — don’t do that!
This might not be very popular, but we don’t think that’s helpful advice!

First, you want to figure out what area is calling you.
Then get yourself in that vicinity… and cast a wide net in that specific direction.

Meaning – when we started out, all we wanted to do in our early 20s was be on set. We wanted to experience set life, be creative, and get started. If we had taken any job (maybe doing marketing or public relations), that wasn’t going to get us closer to our goal and what was calling us — which was being producers and experiencing set life.

Be honest with yourself. What area is truly calling you? If you want to be a producer, if you want to be an editor, if you want to be a writer, then point yourself in that direction and start hunting down jobs in that space.

You can always pivot from there depending on how you like a particular role or if you’re seeing other jobs that feel like a better fit for you. Your path can always change from there.

But start out with a specific plan for what is calling you now — and you’ll find your way from there!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We know this industry isn’t easy – especially at the beginning.

From Interns to Executive Producers, we learned the hard way! We started out with no money, no connections, no experience… and nobody to ask for help.

But here we are 25+ years later. As Executive Producers of Jersey Shore, Mob Wives, Black Ink Crew and tons more, we’ve developed and brought to life some of the most iconic hit shows! We’ve worked in TV (both in production and on the network side) for three decades and have produced almost every type of reality, celebrity, dating and design show across all the major networks including MTV, VH1, CBS, FOX, A&E and WEtv.

But for years, we wished we had help. Somebody to tell us what we needed to know. It would’ve saved us so much stress. That’s why we’re passionate about sharing our stories and knowledge to help others figure out this crazy industry.

Our goal with Those Reality Girls is simple – to help the next generation of aspiring TV creatives! We’re here to show people how to break into the TV industry, accelerate their learning curve, become successful leaders… and rock it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whenever anyone is going to visit LA, we tell them they have to go to Paradise Cove in Malibu! Nothing better than sipping an amazing cocktail out of a watermelon with your feet in the sand enjoying the Pacific!! Even when we were just starting out in TV and had very little money, this was a place to go with friends to unwind on a day off. You feel like you’re fancy and on vacation … even when you have just a few hours off to enjoy!

Even without spending money — walking around The Grove, 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, or Melrose is great people watching and shopping! And let’s not forget Rodeo.

And… if you want to stretch your bucks with a great time… hit Santa Anita Park — the Great Race Place! It’s one of the most beautiful tracks in the country – a real gem!

Plus — hit Glen Ivy Spa which is about an hour away by car. For $85 you can spend the whole day using the spas, mud baths, grotto, etc. A full day of sunshine and R&R that won’t break your budget.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many great bosses and colleagues to thank for the numerous lessons we’ve learned along the way! But we have to shout out to the remarkable duo of Shelly Tatro and SallyAnn Salsano (our bosses for many years). We were working for them at VH1 & 495 Productions when we first met on the set of the pilot for “A Shot At Love w/Tila Tequila” back in 2006.

We also have to shout out and give our thanks and appreciation to all the cast members that opened their hearts and lives to us and let us tell their stories!

Website: https://www.thoserealitygirls.com

Instagram: @thoserealitygirls

Linkedin: Those Reality Girls

Facebook: Those Reality Girls

Youtube: Those Reality Girls

Image Credits
Alyssa Peek – Peek Photography

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