Meet Eric Karkheck

We recently connected with Eric Karkheck and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?

The answer is simple and brash: my response to nay-sayers is, “Fuck ’em!”

Of course, that’s easier said than done, particularly for those who march to the beat of a different drummer. When your work and livelihood feel intertwined with your individuality, it’s natural to want to conform to established norms, take the road more traveled, and play it safe. But long-term growth and fulfillment almost never come from following the crowd.

What’s helped me persist is being a self-starter and autodidact. When you can teach yourself, build your own skills, and make your own work, your future is in your hands and others have less power over you. As Mark Duplass said in his famous 2015 SXSW Keynote, the cavalry isn’t coming, you are the cavalry.

Cowards try to pull others down to their level. Leaders blaze new paths and bring others along with them. I’ve chosen the road less traveled, and, as Robert Frost said, “that has made all the difference.”

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an LA Emmy winner, independent filmmaker, and adjunct professor focused on character-driven stories that blend humor with emotional truth. I love taking grounded, human situations and pushing them just far enough to become funny, resonant, and memorable.

What excites me the most is creating authentic characters and unlocking the emotional truth in their relationships through writing, casting, and collaboration to craft a film that breathes from moment to moment.

My debut feature film, Disconnected, was co-written with my wife Maria Molund and made with long-time collaborators — and that creative DNA is a core part of my approach. Currently, I’m editing Disconnected and developing my next feature – a feel-good family reunion comedy.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that have been most impactful for me are curiosity, openness to opportunity, and resilience.

Curiosity keeps me exploring — discovering new characters, situations, and ideas that can lead to great stories. It also keeps me learning new skills, which expands my capabilities and opens new doors. As I said previously, being a self-starting autodidact makes you self-sufficient.

Being open to new opportunities has probably moved my career more than anything else. Saying yes to something unexpected or outside my initial plan has repeatedly led to meaningful work and unexpected connections. A lot of people define themselves by what they won’t do or what they say no to — but I don’t know how you build a career that way. One of my early bosses, a Harvard B-School grad, told me to say yes to every good opportunity, and then figure out how to execute it. That philosophy is how he built his successful small business.

And resilience is essential. A career in media production is slow, long, uncertain, and filled with stretches where the only compass you have is your own internal validation. You have to stay in motion even when no one is watching, or when it feels like everyone is against you. Choosing collaborators wisely can help. Find people who elevate you, who you trust deeply, and build with them.

For anyone early in their journey: stay curious, stay open, and keep going — especially when the path looks nothing like you pictured.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Thanks for asking. I’m currently on the lookout for a playful VFX/animator for our independent feature film Disconnected. Ideally, this animator loves nature and bold visuals, and is unafraid to experiment with quirky or unexpected ideas. Once the film is completed, I’ll also be seeking support with distribution and sales.

You can learn more about Disconnected on our website: https://mariaandme.com/disconnected
The best way to reach me is through our contact page: https://mariaandme.com/contact-us
or via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karkheck/

Best wishes on your own bold journey!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mariaandme.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erickarkheck/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karkheck/