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"Goodness is Wanting the Best for People" - Interview with Rachel Tesler
June 24, 2024
By Bessy ADUT
Rachel Tesler is an award-winning writer and producer with 10+ years working in film and television. She has developed her craft as a multimedia storyteller producing the top news stories of the day and longform documentary series on topics ranging from crime to human interest. As an undergraduate at Boston University, her screenplay Little Lost Puppy won the First Place Award in the Fleder-Rosenberg Screenwriting contest, as part of the Redstone Film Festival. At Boston University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Bachelor of Science in Film and Television. Rachel has lived and worked in politics and media all over the world including Boston, Washington, D.C., Jerusalem, London, and New York City. In 2017, she graduated from Columbia University with her Master of Arts in English Education. She published her first book UNBLOSSOMING, a series of poetry in 2023. She started Tattletales Productions in 2024, a boutique production house focused on documentary film and development. She lives in New York City.
Where are you currently residing?
New York, New York.
What are your current projects?
I just started my own production company Tattletales Productions. I'm currently working on a few projects -- I'm collaborating with a group to develop an American Revolutionary War drama, a scripted comedy feature, and the project I'm most excited about right now is a docuseries on intergenerational antisemitism within Holocaust Survivors' families.
Please share how you got started and got to where you are today...
I always loved storytelling. I remember writing stories as a kid, writing a play for Hebrew school that was covered by a local newspaper and even filming shorts with my sister and our friends. My parents really encouraged us to perform and be creative. By university, I knew I wanted to be involved in film and television in someway, particularly with writing. I started as an intern and runner for WGBH, Boston's PBS station and freelanced with various other productions, eventually becoming a production coordinator at ABC.
Has it been a smooth road?
The Film and Television industry is challenging. So much of what we do is subjective and physically challenging work, so learning to be collaborative and build endurance and a great attitude is key. There's also a lot of different aspects to the industry. I especially love long-form and documentary films and producing, but it took me time to find that niche. It's important to find great mentors and really be introspective about what you want.
Tell us more about your life and career...
I've lived and traveled a lot for my career and met a lot of interesting people from celebrities to religious leaders to criminals to some of the world's more brilliant minds. I've been lucky to learn from all different types of experts and one of my favorite things about my career is that it's always changing and I get to learn new things every day and meet new people all the time.
What do you think goodness is?
I think "goodness" is giving people the benefit of the doubt and wanting the best for them genuinely.
Who are you outside of your professional life?
Outside of my professional life, I am easy-going, family-oriented, and creative. I love spending time with loved ones and working on creative projects like crafting.
Are you interested in environmental issues?
I care about doing my part to make the world a better place and cutting down on my carbon-footprint. For example, I don't have a car as a New Yorker and I feel good knowing I've helped the world in some small way.
Do you think the world is not a good place right now?
i think the world and people are inherently good. I try to put energy into what I can control and how I can make the world a better place, rather than focusing on the world's insurmountable issues.
How do you make the world a better place?
I think we are all given unique talents and with the skills I've been given I try to make the world a better place by telling people's stories through my world, listening to people, mentoring junior producers, and supporting people in my community (i.e. neighbors, religious and spiritual community, friends and family).
How can we all make the world better?
We can all make the world a better place by recognizing and acknowledging our talents and using those talents to lift others up, from small acts of service like opening doors and referring others to jobs to inviting folks without a meal into our homes.
How can science and spirituality co-exist?
I think science and spirituality inherently coexist. In my understanding, spirituality is the spark that gave us the intricate science that runs this world. They are not mutually exclusive.
If you could go anywhere, where would you go (and why)?
I've been blessed to go to a lot of places, but if I could go anywhere I would go visit my family in Boston and I would give my whole extended family tickets there too. We're all spread out all over the world, so that would be a treat now.
Please let us know anything else you’d like to share...
I would encourage anyone interested in following their dreams in the film and television industry to practice their craft and reach out to people doing the jobs they're interested in doing to ask questions. Learn more information as you make your decision and don't be afraid to change your mind.
I also write and perform poetry and have written a poetry book (Unblossoming, available on Amazon) and am coming out with another one soon!
Could you please provide shareable links (website, social media)?
https://www.instagram.com/racheltesler/
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