Kat Markham

Your name is spelled K-A-T or C-A-T?
K-A-T. You know, like, meow.

Um, wouldn’t that be C-A-T?
[Laughs]

Okay, moving along, what ’hood do you live in?
I’m originally from Albany Park and Logan Square, but I’ve been in California for years. San Francisco and L.A. I’m back visiting my family.

There’s that Midwestern stereotype that L.A. people are cold, vain and fake. True or false?
Absolutely untrue! That’s just ignorance. L.A. is so much fun. The weather’s warm and so are the people.

Which city has better-looking people?
Chicago has a lot of amazingly beautiful people, let me tell you. I’m so glad I’m from here. [Laughs] L.A. better watch it. It’s got some competition now. You can put that on the record.

Are you really a sleazebag producer as your shirt advertises?
I am. I’m a filmmaker. [Laughs] C’mon! It’s a joke. I’m not really a sleaze.

Because your Midwestern values won’t let you be sleazy?
Yeah, it’s tough to get rid of them! And it’s really challenging for me in L.A. I don’t like drugs, I don’t like alcohol, and everyone there is sleeping with everyone else. Then there’s me. I’m a little conservative and straitlaced, even though I don’t look like it.

What sort of films do you produce?
The genre is futuristic. Future films are my—uh!—my love. They give people an escape, make a whole bunch of people happy and make lots of money. It’s a win-win for everybody.

Do you ever feel like sci-fi is prescient?
Absolutely, because we as individuals create our own future. Life is a movie. I’m actually directing you now as you’re interviewing me. I know you’re laughing, but it’s actually true. We are the creators of our own universe: director, writer, producer—the whole thing.

• More "Public eye"
• More Around Town articles