Let’s face it: If you’re looking to build a career in film and television, you really need to be talented, persistent and resourceful, as well as a true aspiring humanitarian. I know this sounds hokey, but I recently came across the well-known cliché that states, "it’s not what you know, but who you know." But you know what? The idea that those strengths are all one needs nowadays to succeed is downright antiquated. So here and now I am updating this limited view by giving away trade—and life—secrets by stating, "it is what you know, and who you know, but mostly it is who likes, respects and really trusts you, that counts."
In the wake of the anniversary of 9/11/01 and during this time when global political forces are threatening to dampen our hopes for a peaceful and prosperous future, I wanted to briefly share my thoughts on the incredible value of relationships—true human connections based on trust and shared values—and on the importance of making the effort to be the best collaborator possible.
In my own career, having often sought-out pioneering-types of roles, it has occurred to me that I’ve always had to be the fearless champion of not only my own talents, knowledge and abilities, but those of the creative teams I’ve worked with. I have an uncanny, sometimes annoyingly accurate memory of all of the faces of those folks I’ve personally "connected with." I now, finally, can think of many of those faces as being people who I have actually become friends with—but at the time I was testing the personal waters, they were at best semi-interested strangers. However, on the periphery of my memories of opportunities pursued, I most fondly recall the moments when I was able to make a genuine human connection, a ‘real’ either humor-based or affinity-kind of connection where certain people truly became ‘a friend’ by sharing personal experiences about the things that really matter. That then allowed us both to let our hair down. It subsequently made it possible for one or both of us to make some sort of suggestion or involvement that would open a door of opportunity for one or both of us.
In retrospect, I can see that as my career has progressed, my knowledge has expanded, my network has grown and the opportunities have multiplied, all by virtue of the generosity, trust and respect of the people that made an effort to help me out.
Some of the most wonderful aspects of this life that I have grown to cherish have come from my own sincerely benevolent acts of introduction, as well as the return of those favors. The values inherent in such acts are the ones I aspire to, because I’ve learned that there’s nothing that makes me feel better every morning than knowing that I’ve had a positive impact on someone else’s life or career.
So, knowing that I have everything to gain—and also understanding that there are some immensely talented, persistent and resourceful people out there who only lack a connection—I am making it my personal goal to be a consistently good friend and to actively seek out ways to expand my relationships, particularly with the types of people who hold these same values dear.
By making a concerted effort, it’s my hope that my personal posse (client and vendor side) will grow to create more opportunities for the people I really care about, who also genuinely care about me. If this strikes a chord with you, I’m honestly looking forward to adding you to my circle of buds. And if 15,000 readers of SHOOT all wind up on the same page here, that’s not only a solid connection, I think it’s one that truly bodes well for the future of our industry.
