THE NEW HOLLYWOOD LEADER

HOLLYWOOD CAREER STRATEGY AND LEADERSHIP

Here's a new Video I Shot today. I'll be posting it on my website http://www.hollywoodcoaching.com very soon but for now, here it is.

7 THINGS JON HEDER NEEDS TO KNOW TO RUN HIS TV SHOW

Hi there,

ANOTHER FUNNY MAN STEPS INTO THE BIG LEAGUES

I read in the NY Times about Jon Heder  (Napoleon Dynamite, etc.)  getting a contract to develop 100 episodes of a TV series for Comedy Central. (Starting with 10 episodes, of course.)

I've never met him and don't know any of the parties involved, but what I do know is this:

He has no idea what he's in for

HOW DO I KNOW?

In the NY Times article Jon said: "They kept asking me "Are you you ready for this?" I said, "I'm like, 'Should I be?' I haven't thought this through."

This heart-warming exchange demonstrates a common and dangerous dynamic in Hollywood.

FIRST:

A team of smart executives recognize a major talent and make a deal for the talent to take an ambitious and smart next step.

THEN:

While they actually do know the traps, obstacles and banana peels that will likely

challenge this creative genius, they are unwilling or more likely unable to articulate, prepare or arm their bold adventurer for his or her journey.

INTO THE WOODS

I'm not saying the creative genius isn't ready or shouldn't embark on this journey into the deep dark woods of TV production. And I'm not faulting the execs for their vision, their deal or their last minute warning/trepidation.

This dynamic is happening all over Hollywood whether it's Burbank, Studio City, Culver City, Television City or Manhattan Beach.

THE TOP OF THE LADDER?

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

There's an amazing all encompassing high that occurs when we're working on a
show.

I think especially on that bizarre journey called production i.e. being on the set and shooting something, where we enter this altered state and it's all about getting the shot, making the day and wrapping early enough to get some sleep before the next crazy,
exciting, stressful, magical day.

It can happen in a great development job, editing job, writing job or the launch of a company or a network or whatever.

BUT THEN IT'S OVER AND WHAT NOW?

Looking for that next job? That next creative inspiration?

Even for those of us who've been on a roll. Had a hit, or more.

A success whether commercial or critical or just a good gig where we couldn't wait to be back to work the next day, tired as we were.

We in the entertainment industry are always wondering "What's
next?"

What's around the corner?

What's going to sell in the current market?

Have I made enough money to get out of the business?
Have I made enough money to get INTO the business?
Have I written a good enough project to sell?
Have I written a good enough project to direct it?
Have I made amassed enough power to make a project I really truly love?

WGA Strike: One Year Later

Just found this great summation and look back at the writer's strike from Cynthia Littleton at Variety.

I agree with what she says here.

Especially noting what she says at the end that after the strike the WGA and Studios said they'd continue a dialogue for the future, which will likely not occur until the next negotiations start for the 2011 contract.

LEADERSHIP REMIX: BEYOND THE COMPOSITE SNOOZE

As a culture, and as a community, we are only recently beginning to understand, ask ourselves, and define, or actually redefine, leadership.

The word's been around, and we hear it often. Yet the composite snooze we experience around the word is a result of its apparent emptiness. It feels like tired corporate jargon because when the so-called leaders of business, industry or culture are asked about leadership they seem to have nothing to say that is inspiring, profound, or relevant.
 

OH, IT WAS NOTHING, REALLY

 

Maybe they'll point to decisions they made, or anecdotes or experiences that may have inadvertently and unconsciously shaped them. Or missions, agendas or strategies that they seem to have led or overseen, and are thus receiving and happy to take ownership in, some bit of public, corporate, or artistic success.

Yet the essence of leadership remains a mystery, except, perhaps to the many coaches and leadership experts who go on and on about how important it is to do our best to articulate, describe, and teach what it is.

MY QUESTION FOR WGA PRESIDENT PATRIC VERRONE (And his Answer)

I had the pleasure of doing a web-radio interview last week on one of my favorite topics: Hollywood Leadership and the Writer's Guild Strike. Hosted by Coach Tom Floyd, guests were Patric Verrone, President of the WGA, Jonathan Handel, attorney at TroyGould,  Coach (and friend) Sherry Ziff Lester and me.

THE LEADERSHIP LEARNING?

Of course I'm always listening for the leadership opportunities and ways we can do things differently in Hollywood. In the beginning of our conversation Patric was explaining the events and months preceding the vote and decision to strike. Obviously lots of frustrating time passed that led to the lengthy strike.

BUT HERE WAS MY QUESTION TO HIM:

BROWNSTEIN: Patric, obviously, it was a successful strike and you got great things.  With what you learned by the end of the strike —if you could go back in time now—what might have worked differently in July that you discovered in January?

VERRONE: Well, I think the key thing was the involvement of the CEOs. When we were bargaining from July through October, we were bargaining with what Tom referred to as the AMPTP (The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers). 

CREATIVE CAREER WORKSHOP - 1/26/08

THE STRIKE ISN'T CHANGING HOLLYWOOD . . .

The deep changes we're seeing and contemplating have been progressing for years in quiet, lava-like slow motion. These changes ARE being highlighted and accelerated by the strike.

The internet has existed for years. The studios have been owned by big corporations for years. People have come to Hollywood with talent, a dream and varying degrees of a business plan for years.

The WGA's choice to strike, and the AMPTP's choice not to negotiate have combined to create an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and stasis few of us have experienced in our professional lives. (Who knew the AMPTP would negotiate like suicide bombers?)

And yet the uncertainty was here all along. The shutdown of production, development and awards shows has simply unmasked the great uncertainties that have always been upon us.

THE BIG QUESTIONS:

-What am I doing in Hollywood?
-What do I want out of my life?
-What sacrifices (or choices) have I made in my life to have a career in Show Business?
-Is my career going where I want it to go?

DAVID MILCH - THE IDEA OF THE WRITER

This just in. David Milch, writer and creator of NYPD BLUE and my fave from last year, JOHN FROM CINCINATTI, did three days of talking about writers and writing back in December. I caught the 3rd day and left inspired. I think Milch has many great leadership qualities and I plan to write about what observed in him soon. (Actually I've already written it, but will post it soon.)

Anyhow. Here's the link to watch these online. Warning. It's not a very linear talk, but he accesses and shares his genius with generosity and love.

HERE IT IS.

THE WRITER'S STRIKE AND SMALL BUSINESS . . .

I was interviewed yesterday for Fortune Small Business News, as seen on CNN.com.

Click Here to take you there:

The article says that "Writers' strike cripples small businesses."

Here's the "good part." (where they finally talk to me.)

--

The strike has required businesses to come up with new survival strategies and creative solutions to the cash crunch, said Hollywood career coach David Brownstein. With their production projects on hold, many of his clients are taking the time off to brainstorm about new financing options and think about their career trajectories.

"They are now forced to look at where there are new business opportunities," Brownstein said.

Oprah Winfrey on Leadership

Hi there, Just saw this interview with Oprah in The Hollywood Reporter. I've excerpted the most interesting parts.

What intrigues me is that she outlines the changes that occur when creative people start a business, that becomes successful and impactful. We're all challenged with learning new skills and habits as our organization grows. Read on for what Oprah learned from her 29 meals with Nelson Mandela.

-db

PS: I'll be curious to see what any of you think about this. Agree, Disagree? I'm not sure I agree with her final comments about doubt. What do you think?

-------

The Hollywood Reporter: As you grew up, did anyone mentor you, especially in the business arena?

Winfrey: I didn't have a lot of mentors, you know? I happened into being a businesswoman. It has never been a goal of mine, and I wouldn't necessarily even say it's a strength of mine.

THR: But you've been so successful in business.

Winfrey: I have to really work at it. I have to work at disciplining myself. The business of the business tires me out. What I would rather do is just stand out there, in front of the camera -- or not in front of the camera, 'cause it doesn't matter to me if I'm talking to a flight attendant or an audience of 10 million people -- about concepts, ideas, principles that cause people to have these "Aha!" moments. That is what I am. At heart, I am a teacher. But I've made a lot of mistakes.

THR: Can you name any?