JEAN HIGGINS

What this episode covers

Jean Higgins made a huge leap of faith when she decided to change her professional path—from oceanographic engineering to theater acting. But the move proved to be the right thing for Jean who eventually entered the world of film and TV production—away from the glitz and glamour of being a star, but just as important to keep the show running. Since her transition, Jean became responsible for overseeing the production of more than $500 million in motion picture and television projects. Jean currently produces the show “Lost” which will run on its third season this year. She says the hit TV program is a perfect show for this day and age due to its delectable escapist quality fit to subvert today’s problems. In this Greater Good Radio interview, Jean Higgins talks about how her career in the film and TV industry started and the slow process she undertook to be where she is right now. She also shares with us how the production of “Lost” in the State is able to help the community with more than $70 million put into the local economy per annum. Jean tells us how the studio enables her to contribute to the community despite the busy schedule attached to her profession. The after show may be the best yet, as Jean imparts messages of hope, faith and trust in one’s self. Here she humbly mentions that the greatest accomplishment in her life is her son, despite all the successes she have gone through in her career. Listen now and find out more about Jean Higgins, film and TV producer. BIO: JEAN HIGGINS, PRODUCER Jean Higgins has been responsible for overseeing the production of more than $500,000,000 of motion picture and television productions. She has been involved in the marketing and distribution of over 40 feature motion pictures, has been responsible for overseeing the development and production of over 80 feature length motion pictures, and has produced and/or production managed over 30 feature films and television films. She has produced numerous television commercials and music videos. She produced for major studios and worked with independent companies. She is currently producing the top rated television show in the world, “LOST”. She began her career as a staff commercial producer for The Petersen Company in Holly wood. The company was one of the premiere commercial production houses in the nation. Clients included Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Bush, Goodyear, and Rockwell International. Her work with Coca-Cola lead to producing corporately sponsored documentaries and PBS Specials. For Coca-Cola, Jean produced the film that Coke presented to show its history to The People’s Republic of China as the first American Company to do business in China. She traveled the world filming for The United States Navy (and was the first woman in history to be allowed on board an aircraft carrier at sea). She traveled the world for Exxon, General Motors, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization shooting in such diverse locations as Japan, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Australia, Norway, Germany, England, Italy, Canada, Greece and more. Moving into the theatrical entertainment world while still working at Petersen, Jean produced the award winning PBS show “This Far By Faith”, sponsored by AT&T. She then worked for American Cinema Productions, an independent feature production company, quickly moving up to Vice President in Charge of Production. While at American Cinema Productions, Jean was responsible for aspects of developing, producing, distributing and marketing Chuck Norris’ first three feature films, “Good Guys Wear Black”, “A Force of One”, and the cult classic “The Octagon”. Other pictures during this time included work on “Dirt”, “The Entity”, “Silent Scream”, “A Different Story”, “Go Tell the Spartans”, “Charlie Chan and the Dragon Queen”, and “Cheaper to Keep Her”. Jean then formed a company with two partners, Karson-Higgins-Shaw.