Andrew Kelly

Andrew Kelly graduated from Humber's Television Writing & Producing program in 2010. He now works as Manager of Creative Affairs at eOne Television, one of the largest idependent studios in the world. We spoke to Andrew about his career at eOne, how the Television Writing and Producing program at Humber gave his career a kickstart, and about some of the best advice he's received about working in the industry.

What are you currently working on and what does that mean on a daily basis?

I’m currently Manager, Creative Affairs at eOne Television. I feel incredibly lucky to work in television at one of the largest independent studios in the world – developing new scripted series for both Canadian and global audiences. My day-to-day work includes meeting and collaborating with some of Canada’s top screenwriting talent, evaluating creative material, noting scripts, and pitching to networks. I work directly on over a dozen projects, each at different stages of development, while also scouting new IP from a wide array of sources, including novels, graphic novels, features, and formats, along with original series pitches from screenwriters.

Any other projects/shows you’ve worked on since graduation that you’re particularly proud of or that were particularly fun or fulfilling?

Working on Bitten (Space & SyFy) for all three seasons from script development and casting, through current production and helping with marketing of all three seasons was an incredible experience – providing me a front-row seat to the entire process of producing a hit, original television series. There are a number of projects I’m working on now that I’m just so passionate about and proud of, but development in Canada is kind of top-secret until a greenlight is announced, so let’s just say that I hope to be able to talk about them very soon…

What’s inspiring you right now?

I’m just a total nerd about television and consume an obscene amount of content, analyzing it to death in my downtime. The overwhelming amount of smart, novelistic, character-driven content being made today is so inspiring – particularly, series like The Americans, The Leftovers, Scandal, and Stranger Things, along with HBO’s jaw-dropping epics Game of Thrones and Westworld. On the heels of contemporary classics like Mad Men and Breaking Bad, we’re still in the throes of the Golden Age of Television and there’s so much more coming down the pipeline. It’s my passion to develop and produce the level of content we’re increasingly seeing around the world.

How did your time at Humber prepare you for what you’re doing now? Any particular memories you’d like to share?

The program at Humber exposed me to the fundamental building blocks of television, while introducing me to an expansive network of incredibly knowledgeable and candid speakers and working industry contacts – many of whom I remain in touch with to this day.

What advice would you give to somebody wanting to follow in your footsteps?

I’d suggest exposing yourself to as many opportunities as you can – interning, short films, working as a PA, or in a production office – soaking up as much information as possible, while just meeting as many people as possible. You never know what meeting will lead to another opportunity at some point down the road. Treat everyone with honesty and respect – voice your opinion and leave everyone you meet with the impression that you care, that you’re passionate, and that you have something to say.