08 A Conversation with Hollywood Power

Brian Dobbins is one of Hollywood’s most prolific managers and producers.  He began his career at United Talent Agency where he amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience, he eventually started his own agency, Artists First.  Using his years of experience, knowledge of development and passion for helping the unseen be seen, Brian has developed and impressive client list of young talent. Brian currently serves as Executive Producer on the award winning ABC series “Black-ish” as well as critically acclaimed “Grown-ish” and “Mixed-ish”. Brian’s producing credits also include Fox’s TV series “Do Not Disturb,” the Oxygen cable network series “Campus Ladies,” ABC and 20th Century Fox’s TV pilot “Adopted,” and the film “The Sea of Trees”. In this episode Brian shares his unique experience as a black man in Hollywood.

What you will hear

Brian's favorite memories.

An accident resulting in Brian learning the value of hard work, dedication and perseverance at an early age.

Being the first member of his family to go to college and his college experience.

Brian finds his passion for film and television.

Navigating Hollywood as a young black man in the 90s.

Realizing corporate structure was not a good fit.

Brian’s perspective on the current state of the United States.

Focus and work during the pandemic

The success of Black-ish.

The beauty of diversity.

Ensuring that there is diversity in Hollywood.

Protecting the artists and the fun part of Brian’s job.

The importance and impact of education.

Quotes

“I’ve learned there’s a way to be real and not say everything that’s on your mind.”

“Community is far more important than what’s going on around the world, actually, there’s problems everywhere.”

“If you laugh and your mouth is open, I say you are ready to be fed.”

“The more specific you are, sometimes, in telling a story, the more broadly you appeal to people because underneath that, we are all the same.”

“I don’t wake up everyday for people to tell me yes, I wake up everyday for somebody to tell me know.”

“When you are working with artists you are working with people who inspire change.”

“Artists are important to society.”

Mentioned

http://artistsfirst-la.com/ (Artists First)

Black-ish

Mixed-ish

grown-ish

Brian Dobbins is one of Hollywood’s most prolific managers and producers.  He began his career at United Talent Agency where he amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience, he eventually started his own agency, Artists First.  Using his years of experience, knowledge of development and passion for helping the unseen be seen, Brian has developed and impressive client list of young talent. Brian currently serves as Executive Producer on the award winning ABC series “Black-ish” as well as critically acclaimed “Grown-ish” and “Mixed-ish”. Brian’s producing credits also include Fox’s TV series “Do Not Disturb,” the Oxygen cable network series “Campus Ladies,” ABC and 20th Century Fox’s TV pilot “Adopted,” and the film “The Sea of Trees”. In this episode Brian shares his unique experience as a black man in Hollywood.

What you will hear

Brian's favorite memories.

An accident resulting in Brian learning the value of hard work, dedication and perseverance at an early age.

Being the first member of his family to go to college and his college experience.

Brian finds his passion for film and television.

Navigating Hollywood as a young black man in the 90s.

Realizing corporate structure was not a good fit.

Brian’s perspective on the current state of the United States.

Focus and work during the pandemic

The success of Black-ish.

The beauty of diversity.

Ensuring that there is diversity in Hollywood.

Protecting the artists and the fun part of Brian’s job.

The importance and impact of education.

Quotes

“I’ve learned there’s a way to be real and not say everything that’s on your mind.”

“Community is far more important than what’s going on around the world, actually, there’s problems everywhere.”

“If you laugh and your mouth is open, I say you are ready to be fed.”

“The more specific you are, sometimes, in telling a story, the more broadly you appeal to people because underneath that, we are all the same.”

“I don’t wake up everyday for people to tell me yes, I wake up everyday for somebody to tell me know.”

“When you are working with artists you are working with people who inspire change.”

“Artists are important to society.”

Mentioned

Artists First

Black-ish

Mixed-ish

grown-ish