NYWIFT Blog

By Farah Qureshi

Welcome to NYWIFT, Erin Kelly!

Erin is an entertainment insurance professional with a background in film and television production. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Film Production, she began her career working on documentary and television projects, including the feature documentary Knuckleball and CBS’s Entertainment Tonight.

In 2016, Erin transitioned into entertainment insurance and now serves as Underwriting Manager for the Film/TV/DICE segment of the Entertainment Department at Intact Insurance Group. 

Last year, she presented a wonderful virtual program to NYWIFT members called  “Safety on Set.” 

Based in New York City, Erin remains deeply connected to the industry as a self-described “film school kid” at heart and an avid moviegoer.

In our interview, she shares insights on her journey from production to entertainment insurance, the risks facing today’s productions, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

NYWIFT Member Erin Kelly

Welcome to NYWIFT! Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?

My name is Erin Kelly and I work in the film insurance business. I specialize in insurance for feature films, television series, documentaries, commercials, and short digital content production.

I have been working in this industry for about 12 years, and prior to that, worked in the Film/TV industry as a production assistant and line producer. I am a graduate of Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television and consider myself an insurance professional but a “film school kid” at heart.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I have a strong desire to never lose sight of the specifics of the industry that we help to insure. I enjoyed several of NYWIFT’s events (which I attended as a corporate sponsor) and found them very informative about the current issues facing the industry (particularly women) at this present moment.

I wanted to become an official member so that I can offer my help to women in the industry and remain current on the latest industry specifics and trends.

Erin Kelly at the NYWIFT FinanceHER Institute with Christine Sadofsky

What initially drew you to film and television production, and how did that experience eventually lead you into the world of entertainment insurance?

I have been a lover of the cinema since the first time my mother took me to the theater to see the remastering of Gone with the Wind when I was around 8 years old. I have always loved the ability of Film/TV to bring stories (narrative and real) to the forefront and evoke discussions on important topics. I think films have an incredible power to uplift and inspire individuals, and I love being involved with this process.

As a corporate executive, what shifts or emerging challenges do you see shaping the future of production risk and insurance?

I spoke about the overall state of set safety in the November NYWIFT workshop, “Safety on Set” – I believe that independent productions have been challenged by increasingly tight schedules and difficulty with financing, which can lead to unsafe set environments.

There are productions that want to perform stunts or hazardous activities but do not have the budget or proper time window to safely complete these activities (by hiring the correct specialists, providing the right safety materials, rehearsing the stunts, etc.). This is where proper risk assessment and planning in pre-production becomes crucial to creating a safe environment for crew, cast, and all individuals working on set.

Erin Kelly interviewing a broker at an insurance conference

What lessons have stood out to you while growing into a leadership role in the insurance industry?

I have learned that it is very important to keep an eye on the technical changes in the industry and never assume that conditions will be the same from year to year. I think it’s paramount to read industry periodicals, attend events to be up-to-date on new technologies, and speak regularly with those working on sets.

As the industry changes at a rapid pace, we have to do our best to remain ahead of the curve or at least keep pace with the changes.

Connect with Erin Kelly on LinkedIn, and watch her Safety on Set webinar with NYWIFT to learn more about great planning tools and production insurance.

(All images courtesy of Erin Kelly)