Rising Star Sheri Smith On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry

Impossible is someone’s opinion—so I repeat: “if it were easy everybody would be doing it!” I make a daily schedule and then sometimes have to make an hourly one: when I have to cater, what I have to do or buy, when I need to swim, etc. Everyone knows they are supposed to move their body, but few schedule it in.

Sheri Smith started her career at the tender age of nine, when she landed a starring role in a Broadway musical—with no previous singing, dancing or acting experience. “Here’s Love” was the adaptation of “Miracle on 34th Street” and Sheri (Sheri Bond at the time) won Natalie Wood’s part. Commercials, one of which was the longest-running M&M commercial ever run (“melts in your mouth, not in your hand”), and soaps soon followed. The family decided it was better for her to pursue an education than an acting career. Smith worked (corporately) as the “gatekeeper” for Mark Canton at Warner Brothers as his administrative assistant and reader, Dick Robertson at Telepictures as administrative assistant and reader for films, and Arthur Axelman, a packaging agent at William Morris as assistant and reader for TV movies. She was assistant to the producer for Tom Cole which led to a part in a pilot for one of the first reality shows ever—The Dream Thing. In the mid ‘80’s and at twenty- something, Smith was encouraged by Dick Robertson to start her own company helping busy Hollywood Execs like himself. Executive Express, Your Personal Runaround was featured on the front page of the LA TIMES business section. Pam Dawber saw the article and liked the idea and she developed and starred in a television “movie of the week” around Smith’s idea (This Wife for Hire). Smith turned her talents to marketing a catering and event production company, catering to some of Hollywood’s elite (Mayor Riordan, Rock Hudson, Stefanie Powers and more). They were the exclusive backstage caterers for Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine, Smith decided to commute to Hawaii and build something for retirement (and fun!)—a unique, oceanfront vacation rental, a castle in Hawaii. It was here, immersed in Hawaiian culture, she was able to spend time pursuing her passion as an artist, writing screenplays.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation to Authority (and Yitzi) for letting me share. I was born in Manhattan in 1954 into a “show biz” family if you will. My mom was a June Taylor dancer and understudied Barbra (do I have to say a last name?) in her first show I Can Get It For You Wholesale. My aunt was the seventh annual Tony best actress winner for the show Wish You Were Here. I grew up similar to the person in the film The Help. When mom went to work or audition for a part, she left me with Black nannies.

In 1963 mom brought me to a screening of a film. Someone was also at the screening who was searching for a young girl to play the part of Susan Walker in the stage version of Miracle on 34th Street. They asked mom if I could sing and dance and she said “of course”… so I was “discovered” by Meredith Willson, got the part and learned how to sing and dance. The next audition and part was for M&M’s “melts in your mouth”, which turned out to be the longest running national commercial for that product. I went to PCS (Professional Children’s School) with an abundance of truly talented kids—pianists, guitarists, as well as actors. Pretty much traveled the world, lived in Mexico for sixth grade, went to Bangkok when I was in tenth grade and knew I was a creative early on. TV (call them “devices” of that era) wasn’t an option—reading was the activity I was encouraged to do and adored. And I wrote and wrote and wrote. Essays, poetry, book reports, short stories, then later on blogs, screenplays, treatments, etc.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

I think I have a dual career path. I had been catering since 1988 and in 2000 decided to move to Hawaii in November 2001 (right after the attacks) to build something for retirement and family to come and visit. I lived on the Big Island with Madame Pele for fifteen glorious years and built a Castle In Hawaii for vacation rental. I bought my “heart dog” (It’s a “thing”—the dog who comes along once in a lifetime and grabs your heart so tightly he changes the way you live). He was a brilliant German Shepherd and we did Schutzhund (obedience, tracking and protection). Due to failing health I had to kill him (no one likes the word, but believe me, there is no good way to say euthanize) and then my ex wingnut (husband) destroyed everything we built with everything we earned for over twenty five years. Instead of killing myself, I wrote (gave birth to?) a screenplay in three months. I moved back to SoCal’s fiery hell (hey it’s either lava or fire for me I guess) and was plopped right back down in SoCal as if by aliens. Started catering again since I’m great at it and needed to earn a living. I lost everything. But the money—dust—was the least of it. I’m probably happier now than I’ve ever been, except for the hole in my heart missing my boy. And I forgave my (ex) wingnut since he was sick (bipolar).

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

Since I began my catering career (can’t really say that I’m an author yet since I’ve not been published or produced, even though I’ve been writing for decades in some form or another.) I think my “most interesting” catering story would be the fact that we were the backstage caterers for Irvine Meadows in the 90’s and Michael Jackson brought Bubbles (his chimp) through the food line. I had to ask him to leave the line. People were aghast. I didn’t want to get in trouble with the health department. What else could I do?

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

When I was first starting to market the screenplay—not sure how “funny”—the biggest mistake I made was not paying attention to the “notes” I got about the screenplay right after I finished it. A dear friend and producer on the Big Island read it and made GREAT notes but for me, it was too raw. A year later I was able to revise the script and it was a hundred percent better. The lesson? Don’t not take the good advice you asked for! Yes, I know that’s a double negative. Sue me.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

More challenging, and interesting, not really “exciting” is learning how to find resources to turn my script www.PeopleMakePlans.com into a film so we can get this made in Hawaii in 2022. I worked for all the top execs and producers and agents in Hollyweird in the 80’s and things are totally different now. One must bend like a willow. Of course COVID also made for an exciting delay (where is my shrug emoji?)

Exciting was the script placing in contests which kind of validates one’s talent. Also exciting is that a few producers have the script in hand, just waiting on that green light for someone to “shop it” (try to attach talent, etc.)

But truly the most exciting project would be the memoir I’m working on called Mama Drama. I am also working on an autobiography called When We Wrote Letters. This evolved since I have (almost) EVERY (yes I’m shouting) letter, postcard, greeting card and everything memorable that I have saved since the 60’s. I’ve schlepped a trunk from New York, to Mexico, to Vegas, to California, back to NY, to Hawaii and back again with all these items. Writing Mama Drama forced me to search through the letters to find out what happened when, and as I was reading I was more than amused by them. I thought people would get a big hoot (especially those who wrote me) so I’m organizing them to publish.
Exciting for these literary works is finding out most publishing companies want dinero to do this (called self-publishing) and if you want a “real” publisher you have to have an agent. And a query is involved, a different one than the one that is used for scripts. *sigh*

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

If you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right! My advice to anyone starting any challenging career, especially one in the entertainment industry, is this: “don’t be afraid to fail”. I know it’s a cliche to say “keep trying no matter what” but there is a lot of truth to it. If you stop, you’ll never know if the next person you would have connected with would have been “the one”. Failure is a part of the journey, failure teaches you strength, resilience, perseverance, and eventually all the tools you’ll need to be successful. Speaking of tools— ALWAYS take advantage of them when you discover them. For me my tools are and have been: Ten Percent Happier (and ONE minute counts! Thanks Dan) Kabballah and Paraliminals. Most have never heard of the last two and most don’t think they can do the first one. With the internet nowadays you never even have to ask anything—just “Bing it” (I prefer Bing as opposed to Google, but that’s just me).

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Meditate. One minute counts according to @DanBHarris. Thank God I discovered him and his app. I’m the ultimate fidgety sceptic. I can’t go a day without my practice. And at first I was like “who ME meditate? Hahahaha”. You never know, right?

Make goals, write them down and read them ALOUD every day. Make a vision board. Put it up in your bathroom so you can see it every day (a few times a day?)

Move your body and eat well. You need to be balanced (in MY opinion) to not burn out. Plan your day to the hour to get things done. Especially if you are self-employed. Or an entrepreneur. Or trying to get a movie made.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Save our planet however you can. Learn what those things are. “If we don’t take care of our planet, where will we live?” Louise Hay. Reduce, recycle, reuse. That’s what Hawaii taught me—big time. We lived on an island. There were designated places we could take “stuff” when it no longer served us but could serve someone else. And especially here in SoCal (with the drought!—if you saw me even brush my teeth—you’d howl) CONSERVE. I saw a neighbor cleaning (washing out) her garbage cans and almost went over and said “really?” but I didn’t. I’m sooooooo proud.

Watch Jane Goodall. She is 87 and can teach you! Search on the internet. There is nothing one cannot find out. Pick the things you are certain you can do or are willing to try.

Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Goodness where to start, not one particular person.

I am a J magnet. I have to specify Producer Jeff, Brother Jeff, Computer Jeff and those are the ones who have helped me get to where I am (where am I anyway?).

Producer Jeff: “my genre is horror” Good grief I was a part of making Hills Have Eyes, II and I’ve NEVER seen that film.

Anyway, I just didn’t listen when he said that because my gut told me that he would be an integral part of “making” People Make Plans—and he is!

Brother Jeff: my hanai brother (look it up)… we chose each other to call brother and sister and I’ve never had such unwavering support and love from ANYONE PERIOD.
I always tell him: “it’s like looking at myself with a penis”. We laugh but truly he has the same values, how can we lose? And besides my animals, I feel his unconditional love daily.

Computer Jeff: well even though he “stopped” doing computers (can you blame him?)… he totally helped this technically challenged boomer when I was dropped back in SoCal by those aliens.
Got me back up on my feet pronto!

And ALL my friends that I’ve had for over forty years (yikes!) and reconnected with who shall remain nameless EXCEPT for Miss Pauline Parry who is also a caterer and wrapped me in her loving arms when I landed back here in 2014. She has done product reveal for some of the largest and greatest companies in the world. I work her scullery when she asks gladly and with passion. When I watch her in action (I refer to it as sucking her brains out) I learn so much about catering and I’ve been doing it since 1990. That should tell you that you can always learn!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Be kind and treat people as you wish to be treated. That’s living aloha and not much more I can say about it. It just is—extremely relevant. Kabbalah teaches that if someone asks for help at 2pm and you help, there are blessings. But if you are called at 2am and you get out of bed to help…
That being said, If I hear one more person say “you’re too nice” I will scream.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

Oprah. Super Soul Sunday. All the good she does. I’ve found letters I wrote to her in that trunk I mentioned. Not sure if I ever sent them to her, but writing them was cathartic. I hope I didn’t send them, embarrassing. She made me mindful of being my authentic self.

Barbra Streisand. When my mom was in her show she used to put make up and falls (remember them ladies? I’m sure they’re still around probably just called something different) on me as if I were her Patty Playpal Doll. I’ve always wondered if she would remember me. And if she would produce my film. Hey, aim high is my motto!

And probably more attainable would be @DanBHarris https://twitter.com/10percent who I would like to thank for his amazing work on this app. Plus it’s so inspiring that he just quit his job on GMA to pursue the app full time. You go dude! How would I fall back asleep in the middle of the night without his sleep meditations? I’m born Jewish (it’s a DNA thing) and I noticed that a lot of the teachers were Jewish and now they’re Buddhists. Hmmmmmmm. I call myself a Jewish, born again, Kabbalist Buddhist.

How can our readers follow you online?

www.peoplemakeplans.com

https://www.facebook.com/sheri.smith.3766/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-smith-4575a5b/

www.tinyurl.com/SheriSmithYouTube

@chocfountsocal

@gourmetcateringsocal

Thank you for these fantastic insights!