For the past 15 years, Karen has worked in the film business and mentored many aspiring writers, directors and executives. As an adviser, the question she heard most often is -- How do I get a job in the industry with no experience? To answer the question and because of her passion to truly prepare the next wave of talent, Karen has created an exciting new seminar, HOW TO GET AND SUCCEED IN YOUR FIRST FILM JOB. Encompassing all of the insider knowledge and experience she has acquired, her lectures series includes a “nuts and bolts” overview of the business, effective interviewing skills and critical tools not covered in film school. Because they were so impressed with the seminar, Walt Disney tapped Karen to speak in their Summer production workshop designed for the Native American community in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, she taught aspiring television writers her seminar and sat in on table readings to give notes. Additionally, she was a keynote speaker at New York Film Academy, Very Short Movies Festival, Schmoozefest for IndieProducer.net as well as the W Hotel Chicago and W Hotel New Orleans for their W happenings series. Currently, her seminar is being taught at LA Harbor College, California State Dominquez Hills and California State Los Angeles College. Karen served as Vice President of Production and Development for Bob Teitel and George Tillman’s State Pictures, where she managed the development of 25 film and television projects for the Fox based Production Company. There, she played an instrumental role in the development of the 80 million box office hit, BARBERSHOP starring Ice Cube and Cedric The Entertainer. Additionally Karen set up numerous film projects at MGM and Fox with budgets ranging from $10 to $40 million.
Prior to joining State Pictures, Ms. Kaufman Wilson worked as Vice President of Production for Monarch Pictures/Twentieth Century Fox for director Carl Franklin (ONE FALSE MOVE, DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS, ONE TRUE THING, OUT OF TIME). While there Karen developed the critically acclaimed ONE TRUE THING with Meryl Streep and Rene Zwelleger. On the side, she pitched and set up a Showtime movie based upon her own life story as a former NFL wife. Additionally, she consulted for show runner, Ann Lewis Hamilton on her pilot, “ALL I NEED” for Fox Television.
At Trimark Pictures, she served as a Creative Executive where she discovered the endearing script, SPRUNG and became the Associate Producer while overseeing15 projects on the development slate.
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Before joining Trimark, Karen worked as a Creative Executive at Walt Disney Animation when they were releasing TOY STORY.
Karen worked as assistant to the critically acclaimed director, Reggie Hudlin and his classic film BOOMERGANG and served as a key assistant to the producer of Wesley Snipes’ SUGARHILL.
Karen is known in the business for her key eye of emerging talent. Countless times, she has spotted inexperienced writers, directors and actors that went on to become huge successes. Karen graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Business Administration. She currently serves as a volunteer for Planned Parenthood. Karen, her husband and children reside in Los Angeles.