NAME: COLLEEN CURLIN
AGE: 29
CITY:
LOS ANGELES
HOMETOWN: EL PASO, TEXAS
INDUSTRY: MUSIC + TELEVISON
SIGN: SCORPIO
NOMINATED BY: MARGOT STEPHENSON
TWITTER: @lamvf
INSTAGRAM: @robofem
WEBSITE: lamvf.com
Tell us what you do!
I’m a music supervisor at Bunim-Murray Productions, currently working on Real World for MTV. Most other hours of the day, I’m the co-director of the LAVMF (Los Angeles Music Video Festival), a film-festival dedicated to music videos.
Did you go to college? If so, where?
I graduated from University of Southern California with a B.S. in Communication.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
For the longest time, I wanted to be an astronomer – I am so intrigued by space, the moon and stars, and the thought that we are just one part of a very massive universe.
How did you get to where you are now? Tell us your story!
I came to Los Angeles wanting to be in PR, just like Samantha Jones in Sex & the City. Once I realized there was an industry where I could work and enjoy music at the same time, I was sold. Through college, I was lucky to have internships in multiple fields of the music business, but ultimately ended up at Interscope Records focusing on digital marketing after graduation. After three years there, I had the opportunity to make the leap to music supervision, and I’ve been at Bunim-Murray since 2012. The LA Music Video Festival came into being in 2009, with Sami Kriegstein, and we’ve been building it from the ground up over the past six years.
Any obstacles along the way?
Of course, most of my internships were unpaid, so there were lots of late nights waiting tables/odd jobs to help pay the bills. Plus, when I made the switch from the label to licensing, there was a lot to learn, but I’ve been so lucky to have amazing managers and mentors.
Who is your idol?
Amy Poehler. I love her sense of humor while still being such a boss. Plus, I love her passion/projects that empower young girls — check out her web series, Smart Girls at the Party.
Three personal traits/qualities that helped you get to where you are:
Collaborative – I love working with other people. Everyone has unique strengths, and it’s almost always impossible to get “it” all done on our own.
Positivity – Things will not always work out or look the way I expected them to, so I try to keep a positive outlook, and hopefully that shines through the work.
Determination – I’m very goal-oriented. When I set my mind to something, I try to see it through. Whether it happens exactly how I pictured doesn’t always matter.
Where would you like to be in five years?
I’d love to be creating content — film, television, or online — with my friends. I feel so lucky to have some very talented friends. I’ve always thought it would be such a gift to create and collaborate together.
Define “Girl Boss” in your own words.
A “Girl Boss” is anyone who is unafraid to take risks that bring them closer to what they want, and knows that working together and empowering other Girl Bosses helps everyone.
Describe your style/fashion sense:
I definitely wear a lot of black, sequins for special occasions, and a leather jacket almost always.
Favorite brand right now?
I’m pretty hooked on Dolce Vita boots right now. I just bought myself two pairs of black booties, which I definitely didn’t need.
Go-to clothing item/accessory right now?
I love my necklace from Bound.la. Emma hand makes each piece. She’s crazy talented. I get more compliments on it than anything else I wear.
What’s your can’t-live-without beauty product?
Am I revealing too much if I say Psst Dry Shampoo? That stuff is the best.
Go-to nail color?
I’ve recently rediscovered “Tickle My France-y” by OPI.
Coffee order?
Iced green tea.
What makes you feel beautiful?
My friends – I’m so lucky to have a really close group of girlfriends. Having that kind of support system from a group of women is really special.
What makes you feel badass?
Waking up knowing that I’m living in this city with my dream job and really amazing people in my life.
Sophia Amoruso’s #GIRLBOSS inspired me. What book has inspired you?
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown – I love her work on vulnerability and living whole-heartedly.
No Girl Boss is perfect. What’s your vice? (i.e. Chocolate, tequila, Justin Bieber, etc.)
Television, specifically Pretty Little Liars.
Which artist/band/DJ are you really into right now?
I really love all the women coming up or coming back in the new music scene – I’ve been obsessing over FKA Twigs, Elliphant, Azealia Banks, Ryn Weaver, and Conway to name a few.
What song makes you feel like a Girl Boss?
Really anything from Beyonce.
What’s a quote that inspires/motivates you?
There is this really great quote on “wholeness” versus “happiness” from Hugh Mackay – it reminds me that in addition to being happy there are so many other feelings, like frustration and disappointment that contribute to our wholeness.
“Wholeness is what we ought to be striving for, and part of that is sadness, disappointment, frustration, failure; all of those things, which make us who we are. Happiness and victory and fulfillment are nice little things that also happen to us, but they don’t teach us much. Ask yourself, ‘Is this contributing to my wholeness?’ and if you’re having a bad day, it is.” – Hugh Mackay
Best advice you’ve ever received? And who gave it to you?
Someone recently told me, “If it doesn’t make you a little nervous, it’s probably not worth it.” I like that. It reminds me that we should pursue the things that might make us a little uncomfortable in order to grow.
Advice to future girl bosses:
Be kind to everyone that you meet. You will mostly likely meet them again.
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