Interview with Jill Wilderman

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do an e-mail Q&A interview with one of my mentors, Jill Wilderman. Jill is an entertainment reporter and the founder of SpotlightCountry.com Before starting Spotlight Country, Jill worked as a producer for Judge Judy and interviewed many of the Nickelodeon stars. She is also known as the "Big Sis," to teen Hollywood because of the good relationships that she builds with the stars. Jill's been a mentor of mine for a long time now, and it was great getting to have a Q&A interview with her.

Q: When did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in journalism?

Jill: I was really young when I decided, actually. My brother was a youth ambassador for the local MDA telethon when I was 6-years old, so we often had news crews coming to our house for interviews with my brother and family. The local telethon also put me on-camera at a young age, so I absorbed the environment and became passionate for interviewing people as a child, actually.

Q: You also worked as a producer for "Judge Judy," and what made you decide to work behind the camera?

Jill: Very early on, I decided that I would learn that all that it took to make TV & content. I've operated studio cameras, chryon, shot/edited my own pieces, and I've been a floor director...I can also run the board in the control room! It was very important to me that I understood and appreciated everyone's job if I was to become a valuable asset to any project whether I'm on camera or off. Having the creative control has always been important to me, as well. As for moving to Los Angeles, I also realized that it's not necessarily a place where you land an on-camera job straight away, and I was happy just to get any job in such a competitive city. To work for such a wildly popular show as Judge Judy and to gain the experience that I gained while there, I would say it was the perfect choice for me.

Q: After working as a producer as well as a reporter, do you find yourself more comfortable in front of, or behind the camera?

Jill: I am comfortable with both, since I've had a lot of experience with both. I sometimes make a game-time decision as to whether putting myself on-camera will make for the best piece. I do think being a good producer and making the right choices as to what will make the best finished piece is most important to me than "face time." So, for instance, if a celebrity is really good at holding their own and being entertaining in a piece, I usually take a step behind the camera to let them shine. I'm really fortunate to have the control to do either.

Q: You have the title of the "Big Sis," to Teen Hollywood. What does it mean to be a "Big Sis," to them?

Jill: I first gravitated towards the young genre because I have a younger sister myself. Ali was in the same age demo of many stars I was interviewing at the time. She would freak out when I had the opportunity to talk to her favorite Disney & Nickelodeon stars, so I not only was her "Big Sis," but I was quickly growing a big sister relationship with the talent. Over the years, many of us developed inside jokes, etc. so it became a family-like relationship with them. In addition to the fact that one particular celebrity and I were often told we looked like sisters. She still calls me "Big Sis" to this day...it just kinda stuck.

Q: What do you like best about interviewing young Hollywood stars?

Jill: I've interviewed stars of all ages, but for the most part, I always found that the younger stars had a lot more energy and were excited about what they were doing. They never take themselves too seriously, and that always makes for high energy and fun interview.

Q: You are considered to be an expert on teens and on pop culture. How does one become an expert on these topics?

Jill: Well, I think living in Hollywood, in and of itself, makes it pretty easy to constantly be in-the-know on all things pop culture. It's a city that revolves around the type of news and insider knowledge. I'm also a sponge for it, as well. I'm constantly reading news and feeds to keep myself fresh. I can usually tell you everything that's going on by 8:00 A.M. everyday. Not sure if that's something to boast about, but it is my job...so I have to stay sharp. As for teens, between blogging, shooting and being around them constantly..it was impossible not to be an expert. Once, I had been asked to appear consistently by a few talk & radio shows, and quoted online by some reputable websites...I felt more comfortable with taking the title.

Q: You are also a correspondent for Spotlight Country. What made you decide to start interviewing country music icons?

Jill: Spotlight Country is actually my own endeavor, I created it! So while I'm a correspondent, I'm also doing the work on the back end as far as writing & posting content. Since I come from a producing/hosting background, I'm excited to see where I go with the video content. I wanted to start interviewing country stars, because I don't feel that they get the kind of press they deserve. Don't get me wrong, there are many great websites and outlets who cover them, but I have my own great plan for coverage and plan to make it one of the most popular destinations for their hugely loyal fans. Stay tuned!

Q: For anyoine that wants to pursue a career in entertainment journalism, what advice do you have for them?

Jill: Work hard, be patient, and don't be entitled. It's a career that can take a while to develop credibility. Learn the ropes and earn your respect, it will pay off. Also, all good journalists LISTEN to their interviewees...they don't worry about stealing the show from their subject. It's so important that you listen have good follow-up question, it doesn't go overlooked.