Eric Peterson
Eric Peterson
Project Manager/Talent Booker
Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA
www.ericmpeterson.com
instagram @ericslippeterson
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a well-rounded project manager and talent booker with an eye for the details.”
No part of the job or journey is too small or too large. My head is always on a swivel and my ears are to the ground, ready to pick up on what's working, what's not, what's trending, etc. I bring a fun and curious mind to everything that I do and I like to work closely with all players involved: collaborating with clients, vendors and department heads, utilizing everyone's skill-sets efficiently and encouraging them along the way, for a happy team is a successful team.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
My approach to work is an organic one, as I firmly believe when one door closes, another opens. Rolling with the punches is paramount. I take my life and each job one day at a time, compartmentalizing and prioritizing as required to reap the best results. I don't plot and scheme about my career, in terms of "getting ahead," so much as I like to simply listen, learn and improve on a daily basis
How do you stand out in your field?
I am a glass half-full type of person, and I have a knack for distilling what's working and why. As is often the case in this day and age, there's a lot of noise--a lot of content--and it's important to cut through to what it is honest, relevant, challenging and progressive. I'm a studious observer who likes to ask questions and learn from my mistakes.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I'm currently working on revitalizing and updating my photography website by adding new content and curating it to better fit my style as it's evolved over the years. I am teaching myself new skills in shooting video, graphic design and editing photos. After getting more involved in the music industry in recent years, I'm interested in working with bands by assisting them as needed (management, publicity, licensing, production projects) as they navigate the challenging landscapes of modern day touring, streaming and content production.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My taste errs toward the side of simple and functional, clean yet colorful, and my style has been influenced by my first and strongest loves, skateboarding and snowboarding. Street photography inspires my perspective, capturing candid moments that may only last a fraction of a second but are full of feeling, humor and the absurd.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Patience! So much is thrown at us from all screens, all angles and by multiple parties, so the ability to multitask across the spectrum of any given job and get results requires patience and coordination.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Simply "keeping up" can be frustrating. I've been on certain gigs and worked in offices in the past where the "odd" and "small" jobs have added up to the point where simply getting through the day-to-day required exponential energy, leaving little to no room for creative growth or seeing goals all the way through.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I'd hire someone to help keep me organized by doing the aforementioned "odd" and "small" jobs so that I could focus on being creative and navigating the larger picture with a clearer mind. As a bonus, simply having someone to bounce ideas off of and collaborate with would be helpful.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I had told myself to experiment more, to go out for more clubs and internships, and to have an ongoing education in software and technology. I would encourage my younger self, probably as young as ten or eleven, to ask questions and learn more about the lives and stories of the people around me, like my grandparents who left too soon, or friends and colleagues who have moved on/away--for different career opportunities and to the afterlife.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I'd love to pick the brains of a producer I admire, someone in film or the music industry for example, so that I could learn what it takes to manage a revolving personnel, stay on task/on brand, in order to create something timeless and inspiring, whether that be a work of art (movie, album) or simply acing the prompt provided by a client. It takes vision, poise, optimism and umpteen other factors (luck doesn't hurt) in order to succeed on the job so I'd truly value the tips of the trade an acclaimed producer could reveal to me, in terms of executing a project from conception to distribution.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I am looking to work on projects that challenge the status quo and reel in creative team members who are passionate about what they do. Specifically, I'd like to work on video campaigns and productions, editorial photo shoots or interactive events in the music and/or film realms.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal collaboration would be with A24 Films, working with the music supervision team. I'm consistently inspired by the films they produce and distribute. I'm also inspired by various record labels like Stones Throw, 4AD and Rough Trade and would love to work with them to help their talented artists reach the audiences they deserve.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Photography pricing varies by project with rates starting at $30/hour. Seeking salary for project management, office administration and talent booking.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
I can talk about movies, books, television shows and that new album for hours...contact me at eric.peterson2039@gmail.com or shoot over a direct message @ericslippeterson. Details up front are always appreciated!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Taking my camera for long walks.
This member profile was originally published in September 2019.