While multi-tasking seems to be an old trick of the trade for staff and faculty of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, assistant professor David Hoberman seems to have it perfected to a T.
But then again, as a onetime Hollywood talent agent, film studio executive and a current film and television producer, perfection is far from extraordinary; in Hoberman’s case, it is a necessity.
Currently wrapping up his fall 2007 course, Film and Television 295B: “Advanced Producing Workshop for Producers, Writers and Directors,” in the MFA Producers Program, Hoberman serves as both a willing and an ideal mentor for theater, film and television students no matter what aspect of the business catches their eyes. During his more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, Hoberman has worked in many different capacities, starting out in true Hollywood rags-to-riches fashion, working in the mail room at ABC.
“When I’m reminded of the amount of work I’ve done, it’s overwhelming at times,” said Hoberman. “I’ve always enjoyed what I do, so it makes the time go by.”
Hoberman’s current pet project among his UCLA courses and upcoming film productions, is USA Network’s “Monk,” on which he serves as co-creator and executive producer. Debuting as one of the cable network’s first original series in 2002, Hoberman has watched the show blossom from a quirky cable pilot to a ratings winner and critic favorite. The Emmy-winning show, now in its sixth season, will premiere its new holiday episode “Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa” Friday, Dec. 7 at 9 p.m.
Before “Monk” brought Hoberman to the small screen, a good portion of his career lay in films. After his mail room and ICM agent stints, Hoberman took on the job of film executive at Walt Disney Pictures in 1985, eventually working his way up to president of Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group. He oversaw box office hits such as “Father of the Bride,” “Dead Poets Society,” and “Pretty Woman” before forming his own company Mandeville Films in 1994. There he had a hand in notable films such as “The Negotiator.”
Not long after forming Mandeville, the company went on hiatus when Hoberman joined Hyde Park Entertainment, but he reformed the company in 2002, through which he produces “Monk” as well as a number of films with his partner and Mandeville president Todd Lieberman.
While his foray into television is much more recent than his film work, he enjoys both mediums because of their differences in structure and consistency.
“(With television) it’s always a new experience with the same family and I love that about it,” Hoberman said. “I love working simultaneously in TV and film.”
After a stint at MGM studios, Hoberman is now back at Disney Studios as the CEO of Mandeville Films. Hoberman and company oversee “Monk” in addition to a number of upcoming film projects including a remake of “Swiss Family Robinson.”
Hoberman works more on the beginning stages of his company’s television and film projects and the focus of his advanced producing course, which he has taught since the spring of 2000, is the same. In his 295B class, Hoberman teaches students networking and development strategies to help them bring their prospective film and television projects to fruition.
“I tend to focus on development process. My class isn’t about crews or locations, but a creative approach to producing,” he said. “I really love the development process and turning ideas into scripts.”
While juggling producing and teaching may seem too much for many, Hoberman finds that this duality makes him stronger in both of his fields.
“I remember the first year I taught at UCLA, I was having a baby and I was halfway through the semester trying to figure out what I was getting out of it. I called someone and they said, “˜The more you do what you do, the better you get,'” he said. “I like being busy so the more, the better for me.”
Because of his continuing work in the field, Hoberman is able to give an extra little bit back to his students, such as when “Monk” was given the green-light to become a series.
“I taught television (when) we got picked up for “˜Monk’ and the class got to go through it with me,” said Hoberman. Year after year, he says he turns his current film or television projects into case-studies for his students.
Hoberman’s path may stray tremendously from many in show business but that doesn’t seem to be a concern at all for him.
“I don’t regret or think I’ve made any wrong moves in my career. Having been an agent was really helpful in being an executive at a studio,” he said. “I’ve made some different choices but each has contributed to the next thing.”
His advice for aspiring film and television producers is simple, make sure to take some detours along the career path.
“Producing is an inevitability, not a goal so you’ll end up there at some point,” he said. “Don’t be so quick, get as much experience in different areas as you can.”