Kim Fields, in pop culture terms, is best known as Tootie from "The Facts of Life" and Regine from "Living Single." But those were mere stepping stones for a much deeper career. While she was a teenager on "Facts of Life," she learned the ins and outs of TV production, grilling the crew, the directors and the writers about the process. And in her 20s, that intelligence gathering continued on "Living Single," where she also directed a couple of episodes.
Now 45, she continues to act but is also a producer and director. She transplanted to Atlanta in 2009 to work with Tyler Perry, directing dozens of "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns" episodes for him. She has also directed episodes of BET's "Let's Stay Together" and TV One's "The Rickey Smiley Show." (The tax credits have brought a lot more work, too, which is keeping her here as well.)
She will be talking about entrepreneurship and building her career at the Greater Women's Business Council luncheon at AmericasMart Tuesday. She is expected to speak at 12:50 p.m.
Fields is a big fan of the organization and was honored to be asked to speak. "Hopefully I can inspire those in attendance," she said. "Our businesses may be different but certain components are part of humanity, part of life, finding those ties that bind us. It's how we handle ourselves along the journey."
She herself has immersed herself into multiple aspects of the TV/film business. "I love it all," Fields said. "I can bounce back and forth between the cameras. It's a joy and a blessing. I grew up a crew baby. I was always there with the crew soaking everything I could from each and every person. I always enjoyed the preparation that went into making a show or character or script. I still love what I do as an actor. Earlier this year, I did a Hallmark TV movie that was No. 1 rated for the year."
(She reunited with "Facts of Life" co-star Lisa Whelchel in a film called "For Better Or For Worse.")
As an executive producer with her husband Christopher Morgan, she has created holiday specials in Atlanta for TV One. (You can check more info about it here.) She is also working on a non-scripted project featuring life coaching the hair and salon business.
The toughest challenge, she said, "is understanding human dynamics and interpersonal relationships. You can't please everybody. And be true to yourself. Be true to your vision and what vision you've been given. You're not trying to entertain every single human being on earth."
Creative TV executive producer types are not that prevalent in Atlanta. Most are still in New York or L.A. So it's great to have someone like Fields in town. She is a huge supporter of the crews here. "The talent pool here has really proven itself," she said.
At the same time, she understands how hard it can be for creative types to move here. "You're dealing with people who have put down their roots somewhere and have children in schools. Their spouses may have a gig. They can't pick up and move. When we came out here, we had one child. He was a toddler. [She now has two sons.]."
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