Sheldon G. Horton sat down for an exclusive chat with Courtney Ward-Thompkins to discuss a new workshop she has developed for aspiring production assistants, the importance of properly preparing our future black and brown professionals for the film industry and why representation in film, TV still needed behind the scenes.
Thompkins most recent achievements includes work as a production supervisor for Netflix’s “First Kill”; a title rarely achieved by Black women; Thompkins is ready to educate the next generation of black and brown TV professionals about what it takes to move upward in the film industry. Check out our interview below.
Check out Courtney’s interview here!
About Courtney N. Ward-Thompkins
Courtney N. Ward-Thompkins was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas and moved to Venice, California as a child. She received her B.A. from Clark Atlanta University and studied Chinese language and culture at the John Hopkins University-Nanjing Center in Nanjing, China. After completing her program abroad, she returned to the states and sought opportunities in the entertainment field by obtaining employment at Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Corporation as a representative. She continued to gain experience and understand the interworking of the television and movie industry in various positions from a production assistant to now an independent producer. To further her knowledge and build a network of professional resources, she joined the American Business Women’s Association and is a member of NATAS and IATSE 871.
Following her passion for entertainment, she currently works as an independent television Production Supervisor. She has worked in production on movies that have grossed over $100 million in domestic box office receipts such as Due Date starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zombieland staring Woody Harrelson. Also, has worked on projects such as “Colin in Black & White”, “Punky Brewster Reboot”, “The Founder”, “The House of Payne”, “Meet the Browns”, “Drop Dead Diva”, “Page Six TV”, “Dish Nation” and “Top 30”. In an interview, Courtney said “I’ve been a television and movie fanatic since I was a child.” For Ward, making movies allow people to be transported out of reality to a different world. She is one of a few minority women who has a consistent and successful career with major studios. I want to do my part to see positive images represented in film.
Outside of her career, Courtney has sponsored benefits in Chicago for the National Uterine Fibroid Foundation and Off the Street Club Toy Drive. Currently, she is also a member of inclusion organizations Women of FOX Sports, Black Women in Film, and Women of Color Unite. She also enjoys mentoring young people, especially aspiring producers, and volunteers with various organizations. Courtney believes that “Inspiration is a strong and divine internal force which transcends to exceptional external actions and rewards.”
