Not only are Caribbean islands picturesque locations for international films, they are ripe for development of a thriving International Film and TV industry based in the Caribbean. Kerri Birch, Co-founder of 13 Degrees North Productions shares why she’s living her dream in an industry with yet few players in the Caribbean with Dianne N Squires on this episode of the Island Woman Podcast. She also shares why it’s important for young people to see Film and TV in the region as an industry for viable careers.
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I loved this conversation with Kerri Birch who co-founded Film and TV Production Company 13 Degrees North Productions with her husband Kirk. I knew when the business was a fledgling startup and today Kerri and Kirk can boast of the several international and local productions they’ve put their stamp on including, most recently, a Victoria’s Secret campaign.
We discuss her 20-year journey in the industry and why she is proof that careers in the industry, in the Caribbean are viable. She also shares the tough realities of work in film and TV and underscores why gratitude is her important grounding practice.
How’s Kerri doing on the ambition/wellbeing Island Woman scale. It’s a bit top heavy but she’s working on it.
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Timestamps & Chapter Descriptions
00:00 – Excerpts: Kerri Birch on viability of Caribbean Film Industry
00:43 – Intro: Island Woman Podcast companion for Caribbean Founders & Kerri Birch Caribbean Film and TV Industry Powerhouse
01:22 – A Slate of Caribbean Productions & The Power of Gratitude
04:13 – Navigating the Regional Film Industry
05:17 – Quiet Leadership and Building Confidence on International Sets
05:47 – Knowing Your Worth: Working with Vogue & Below Deck
08:17 – Navigating Chaotic Production Logistics in Barbados
08:57 – Shifting the Narrative: Film as a Viable Career for Caribbean Youth
10:34 – Telling Our Collective History and Shared Caribbean Experiences
12:43 – The Symbiotic Relationship with Foreign Film Crews
14:37 – Using Inevitable Industry Downtime to Develop Original Content
16:33 – Working with Your Spouse: Setting Healthy Boundaries at Home
19:43 – Scoring Ambition vs. Well-Being on a Scale of 1 to 10
21:08 – Realising a Childhood Dream: Living Big Ambition
23:12 – Facing Burnout: Choosing Future Well-Being Over “Hustle”
25:32 – Teaching the Next Generation of Filmmakers at BCC
26:56 – “Once Upon a Frame”: Paying tribute to Tragically Killed 13-year-old Seanathan Chase, Youth Literacy, and Short Film Adaptation
28:57 – Sponsoring or Donating to “Once Upon a Frame” and Local Tax Incentives
30:35 – Outro
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132
Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Kerri Birch
IG: @thatbirchgirl
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerribirch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.birch.5/
13 Degrees North:
Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com
Website: http://www.13degreesnorthpro.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/13degreesnorthproductions
Instagram: @13degreesnorth
Donate to “Once Upon a Frame” Schools’ Project
Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com
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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Through DNSC, her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.
#islandwomanpodcast #caribbeanwomeninbusiness #caribbeanpodcast #filmandtv #careersinfilmandTV #caribbeanstories