Eric Timm '93 By Greg Holland Friday, September 26, 2003
Eric Timm '93 2003 Young Alumnus Achievement Award Recipient Vice-President Mojo Productions
Eric Timm had a great job. His title alone-vice president of drama series for CBS Productions-would certainly spark conversation amongst former Southwestern classmates at his class's 10-year reunion. Timm worked in a place called Television City. He was responsible for creatively overseeing the number one show on television (CSI). What more could he ask for? Turns out it was the chance to work with Hollywood director Gary Fleder ("Don't Say a Word" and "The Runaway Jury"). "He hired me to help translate his work to television," says Timm. "We have similar tastes and sensibilities. I also have the opportunity to create ideas for shows that I would produce." Fleder has worked in television previously, directing episodes of "The Shield" and "Homicide." "He has the name and firepower to help me, and I have the knowledge of television that he lacks."
Timm moved into his Mojo Productions office Aug. 1. The company has a deal with Sony to produce the television shows that they develop. "The ability to produce brings me one step closer to the creative process-in the trenches, on the set, with direct involvement. At the end of the day, I want my energy to go into something I can see rather than being a cog on the wheel. It's a new challenge, a learning process. I don't like being in situations where I'm not learning."
That passion for new sources of stimulus attracted him to the liberal arts education that Southwestern provided, even if it was 1,200 miles from his home in Eau Claire, Wisc. As a student, Timm served as president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Interfraternity Council, chaired the Student Affairs Council, and took part in Student Foundation and Students Helping the Admission Recruiting Process (SHARP). While it is still early on in his new venture, Timm and Fleder already have made their first pitches to the major networks. He feels confident that he made the right decision. "This is the job that I'd hoped would come along for quite some time. I look forward to seeing our ideas come together and end up on the television screen. That's a pretty cool feeling."