Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

CAROL LEIFER is a four-time Emmy nominee for her writing on such shows as “Seinfeld,” “Modern Family,” “Saturday Night Live,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” and seven “Academy Awards” telecasts. She has starred in five of her own comedy specials, which have aired on Showtime, HBO, and Comedy Central. Throughout her career she has worked very closely with several of the greatest comedy minds of our generation…including Steve Martin, Gary Shandling, Lorne Michaels, Jerry Seinfeld, and Larry David. Her first book was the national best seller “When You Lie about Your Age, the Terrorists Win.”  Carol’s most recent book, “How to Succeed in Business without Really Crying,” is part memoir, part guide to life, featuring a wonderfully funny collection of essays chronicling her three-decade journey through show business, offering valuable lessons for women and men in any profession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TRACY CHRISTIAN started her agency career at PSA, a bi-coastal boutique talent agency with a focus on classically trained character actors like William H. Macy & Joe Mantegna.  At PSA, she began to packaging features for music clients like Busta Rhymes, Nelly and Fat Joe, in addition to supporting the agency’s roster of actors. Christian then moved to Don Buchwald and Associates where she represented future Oscar winners Octavia Spencer, Melissa Leo and Mo’Nique, Emmy nominee Elizabeth Moss, music mogul and producer Mona Scott Young, super producer Swizz Beatz, celebrity hair stylist Ted Gibson, reality star Omarosa, Kandi Burruss, Roger Guenveur Smith, Paz de la Huerta and Jamie Hector to the long list of celebrities whose careers she has guided. At Buchwald Tracy added representing reality show producers and participants to her book of business.In December of 2011 Christian opened TCA Jed Root with business partner Jed Root. The agency can boast of putting more than fifteen shows on air in a two year period and a client list of talented actors working on literally the best Hollywood has to offer (Boardwalk Empire, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, True Detective, The Strain). It’s especially impressive considering the agency represents just thirty clients.Today Tracy Christian doesn’t just find opportunities for actors in film and television or sell successful reality programming…She is also involved in development of product lines and their exploitation through various media outlets.  Tracy used “Basketball Wife” Evelyn Lozada’s three million plus fans to secure her shoe line with mega retailer Nordstrom/Sole Society. YouTube personality Julie G now has a capsule line with Jesses Girl Cosmetics available in 1500 Rite Aids across the country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DAVID KISSINGER is the President of Conaco Productions, (Conan O'Brien’S PRODUCTION COMPANY) and has produced a plethora of shows for them "Andy Barker P.I.," "Outlaw" ON NBC, "Eagleheart" on Adult Swim, "Super Fun Night" for ABC, as well as "the Pete Holmes Show" and “Deon’s Black Box” for TBS.  Prior to joining Conaco, he was the President of NBC Universal Television/Studio USA where he developed some of the most acclaimed Emmy nominated and winning shows on TV including "House," "the Office," "Monk," "Battlestar Galactica," "Law & Order: Special Victims' Unit," and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."  Previously, Kissinger was a senior VP for Touchstone TV where he oversaw the development and production of "Ellen," “Boy Meets World,” and "Home Improvement." Prior to his TV career, Kissinger worked as a journalist, writing for Rolling Stone, the New York Observer, and Esquire. He is the son of Former Secretary of State and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Henry Kissinger. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TOM HERTZ is an Emmy Award winning writer and show runners, and one of the most respected executive producers in the entertainment business. He has worked with some of the most groundbreaking artists of our generation—making his mark with Jon Stewart (“The Jon Stewart Show”), Kevin James (“King of Queens”), Gary Shandling (The Larry Sanders Show), Dennis Miller (Dennis Miller Live),  Charlie Sheen, and Michael J. Fox (“Spin City”) …and created the hit CBS show RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, starring David Spade, which reached the rare 100 episode status in 2012. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DAN PASTERNACK is a veteran TV producer and high level creative executive who recently joined the prestigious independent production company big beach films (“Little Miss Sunshine,” “Our Idiot Brother,” “Sunshine Cleaning”) to set up and head a new television division, Big Beach TV. Pasternack left his position as vice president of development and production for IFC after four and a half years to join Big Beach, and during his tenure at IFC, he shepherded the break-out critically acclaimed hit series “Portlandia” from web-series to Emmy, peabody and writer’s guild award winning television sensation. Additionally, he also oversaw the development of “Comedy Bang! Bang!” starring Scott Aukerman and Reggie Watts, “The Birthday Boys” from executive producer Bob Odenkirk, and “The Spoils of Babylon” starring Tobey Maguire, Krristen Wiig and Tim Robbins. Prior to his tenure at IFC, Pasternack held a variety of creative executive positions, including roles at Turner Broadcasting, Carsey-Werner, Studios USA (now NBC/Universal), Granada Entertainment USA, and the Fred Silverman Company. Dan has also served as co-producer on the showtime series “Beggars and Choosers,” executive producer on the showtime sketch comedy pilot “The Offensive Show,” the FX series “Starved”, the Fox network pilot “Frances and Angela,” and the Starz series “Gravity” on which he served as a writer and executive producer. Pasternack began his career as a writer/stand-up comedian, has also written articles for Emmy magazine and was one of the earliest regular contributing bloggers to the Huffington Post. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

KENT ALTERMAN is the president of content development & original programming at Comedy Central and, in his second stint at the network, oversees the development and production of all original content produced by the # 1 brand in comedy, where he is responsible for incubating new voices and concepts across all the network screens. Since taking over in 2010, Alterman and his development team have more than doubled the amount of original series on the air than at any time in the history of the network…creating bona fide franchises for comedy central, including groundbreaking series like “Workaholics,” “Key & Peele,”“Inside Amy Schumer,” “Kroll Show,” “Brickleberry,” “Nathan for You,”“Drunk History,” and “@Midnight.”  Additionally he overseas specials like “Night of Too Many Stars” and the Emmy nominated “Comedy Central Roasts.” prior to his present job, he started with Michael Moore’s “TV Nation” and then became the executive vice president at new line overseeing a diverse slate of films including the perennial christmas hit, “Elf,” and multiple Oscar nominated films, “A History of Violence” and “Little Children.”  additionally, he directed and executive produced new line’s feature film “Semi-Pro,” starring Will Ferrell, Andre Benjamin, and Woody Harrelson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SUZANNA MAKKOS is Executive Vice President, Comedy Programming & Development for the Fox Broadcasting Company. As head of comedy development at FOX, Makkos is responsible for overseeing all of the network’s half-hour current programming and comedy development initiatives in both live action and animation.  In this role Makkos has cultivated many live action and animated comedies for the network, including “NEW GIRL,” “RAISING HOPE,” “BOB’S BURGERS,” and “THE MINDY PROJECT.” She developed last year’s Seth MacFarlane-produced sitcom “DADS” and THE criticalLY ACCLAIMED “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE,” which won a Golden Globe AWARD for Best Comedy Series. Her development has been lauded for presenting some of the funniest and most diverse voices both in front of, and behind, the camera. Makkos launched two new series this spring: ENLISTED and SURVIVING JACK, and her current development slate includes the likes of Tina Fey, Will Forte, and producer/directors Phil Lord & Chris Miller.  Prior to her role in development, Makkos served as a current programming executive at the network, covering comedies such as “FAMILY GUY,” “ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT,” “THE BERNIE MAC SHOW,” and “MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE,” as well as dramas “PRISON BREAK” and “BOSTON PUBLIC.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MARK BRESLIN is the CEO and founder of Yuk Yuk's, with 15 comedy clubs across Canada, making him the most dominant comedy entrepreneur in the country. He is also the founder and artistic director for the Humber College comedy program and a founding member of the Canadian Comedy Awards.  He has acted as an executive producer, producer, and story consultant for numerous television programs such as “Late Night with Joan rivers,” “Friday Night with Ralph Benmergui,” and “Kenny vs Spenny” among others and is an author and columnist who has also worked in radio as the program director for “Laugh Attack” on XM Canada.  Additionally, Breslin is also a much sought-after public speaker, who has spoken for the American Comedy Institute in New York City, the Big Bear comedy workshop in Los Angeles, the association for campus entrepreneurs, and the Toronto keynote address…just to name a few.  In 2014, Breslin was named one of the 180 most influential people ever to be born and raised in Toronto. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NICKY WEINSTOCK cut his teeth writing speeches for the president of Newscorp (Rupert Murdoch), running development for the chairman of FOX (Peter Chernin), and running Judd Apatow’s company while developing “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Pineapple Express,” “Step Brothers,” “Get Him To The Greek,” and “Bridesmaids.”  presently, he is the president of invention studios, a film and TV production company currently developing more than a dozen movies at 20th Century FOX, New Regency, CBS films, Lionsgate, and Debmar Mercury’s 10/90 TV division. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JIM NORTON has emerged as one of the most versatile, unique voices in comedy, and is a 2-time NY Times best selling author, sells out theaters nationwide as a standup comedian, and was a regular contributor on Tonight Show with Jay Leno & guest on The Late Show W/ David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Chelsea Lately, Inside Amy Schumer, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, On the radio, Jim is one of the stars of the popular Opie & Anthony show, does a nightly music show, Obsessed, on Ozzy’s Boneyard, and hosts his own weekly advice show, The Jim Norton Show. He has also appeared as an actor in numerous TV series andfeature films, has had three hour comedy specials, four albums, and created the anti-social comedy tour franchise, which brings together Jim’s headliner comedian friends on the same stage for stand-up shows.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.