Leverage is the key to success. Especially in film and media, leverage makes all the difference.
So what is leverage?
Leverage is the ability to make things happen, to put forces in motion.
Leverage is “who you know.”
Leverage is “how much you can spend.”
Most important, leverage is what you have already produced.
You see, nobody cares what you know, or what degrees or certificates you’ve earned. Everybody has degrees and certificates these days. They don’t mean anything.
People care about what you can actually do. And the only way to prove what you can do is to do it.
Once you’ve done something, you have a product. That separates you from the masses who only claim that they can. Your work becomes your leverage. Your work becomes your power.
If you don’t have a ton of money or a ton of connections, you can still get leverage. Just learn to do something great, do it, and improve it relentlessly.
Leverage is power. Make your own leverage.
Our film making center is a pretty good place to start.
(We’re delighted to credit our ideas about “leverage” to famous Hollywood producer Brian Grazer. Check out “Creative Leverage” for more detail.)