What the Producer Said..."10"

A statement you will never hear in Hollywood. 

“Well, I’ve been doing this for three years now, so I should be up for an Academy award by now!”

However, I hear a version of that statement daily.  We’re obsessed with how long things are supposed to take to happen.  We make assumptions based on what the traditional path is.  Agencies tend to have set timelines, which are planned based on a traditional training and development models.

So interesting that as successful as we are at creating non-traditional initiatives for our Clients, we have done very little to non-traditionalize the way we develop our people.

So, here’s what, it starts now.  Instead of using that calendar app on your iPhone to measure your career development, let’s go to the Oscars!!

Tatum O'Neal – Best Actress 1974

(My celebrity crush up until about…well I’ll get back to you on that.)

Won her Academy award at age 10.  Because she was the best at what she did that year.  Stop letting people make you feel like you’re crazy because you think you are a better account leader than your boss.  It is very possible you are.  Instead, focus on that thing that makes you better and continue to refine it.  That will pay off sooner than you realize.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Nominee for Best Actor 2004

Should have won!!! for his performance in The Aviator (that’s right…I said it).  However, Jamie Foxx got the nod for Ray.  Many feel Foxx was the sentimental favorite because the movie opened not too long after the death of Ray Charles.  As good as you are, there may be someone who has been waiting longer, or has other issues that get them the promo/raise faster than you. Don’t let that put a dent in your confidence.  You are not competing against each other. Your time will come.

The Hurt Locker Vs Avatar – Best Pic Noms 2010

Let’s face it 2010 came down to two movies vying for the top award. So, how did Hurt Locker beat out JC and the most expensive movie ever made?  Some critics say it came down to the wider breadth of nominations THL had.  Meaning it was nominated in more categories and therefore the Academy felt it was a better movie.  For you, this means making sure it is not just your boss who thinks you are amazing.  She could quit tomorrow and then where are you?  Make sure everyone you work with thinks you are amazing. Production, Media, Analytics, Planners, EVERYONE!  That’s how you move up.

Harvey Weinstein – Best Picture,  Shakespeare in Love, 1996

This fellow Queens, New York native started out as a small time local concert promoter; moved up to producing concert films; and then started an independent film company with his brother.  That collaboration produced groundbreaking films including Sex, Lies and Videotape, and Shakespeare in Love.  Harvey was famous for shameless promotion of his films during Oscar season.  Your Oscar season is typically the 4^th quarter.  That’s when agencies take a hard look at who is ready for a promotion and a raise.  So, yes, do your best all year around. But do whatever you can to remind everyone how awesome you are as soon as those summer Fridays end.

And finally…

Robert Altman – Nominated Best Director five times

The director of one of my favorite movies achieved mainstream success being nominated for Best Director for  M*A*S*H in 1970.  He was nominated five times over a 31-year long period but never won.  In 2006, the Academy awarded him an honorary Lifetime Achievement Oscar.  A few months later he died. The lesson here? Know when you’re done, and it’s okay to get some rest. His acceptance speech.

And…fade to black. 

<3 u Tatum