Take the Scary Step of Reaching Out: Interview with Filmmaker Jay Silverman
I recently went one-on-one with filmmaker Jay Silverman. Jay’s latest film Camera will be released on July 23rd.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Jay: I grew up in San Fernando Valley California with the great fortune of a magnificent photography teacher who not only mentored me but regularly brought prominent LIFE Magazine photographers into class to share their wisdom. At the age of 15 years old, I shadowed a photographer after school each day and learned the trade by doing. Fortunately, my love for photography and film was instilled in me from real-life mentors.
Setbacks and failures in both my filmmaking and photography career always centered on REINVENTING myself and my company’s goals. In 40-plus years it’s clear framing your brand and remaining true to yourself is critical, but not staying relevant is a failure.
Adam: In your experience, what are the common qualities among those who have been able to enjoy success in the entertainment industry? What advice do you have for those either trying to break in or advance?
Jay: I feel the most common quality a truly successful filmmaker must have is perseverance. Success is measured by your ability to learn from your failures and keep going, and to excel in doing what you love, not by financial gains.
My advice to those who wish to break into the industry is to take the scary step of reaching out directly for a one-on-one meeting with someone you want to work with and respect. Believe it or not, very few do this. I for one would never have had my success without others accepting my request.
Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned through your career in entertainment that are applicable to those who will never earn a living in front of or behind the camera?
Jay: At the age of 16, I apprenticed with renowned Life Magazine photographer Leigh Weiner who famously photographed Marilyn Monroe, and Judy Garland among many others. On my first day of work, my boss had flown in from New York City with 100 rolls of black and white film from a big assignment. Without any direction, he rushed me into the darkroom saying I hope you know how to process film. I nodded my head yes! However, I had never used his darkroom nor batched and processed hundreds of rolls of film together. He said it’s “Easy”.
Pressured but excited to begin my first day I took the task on and after spending 4 hrs. loading all the film, I accidentally stepped on the light switch on the floor and exposed all the rolls of film. Throwing myself over the film carrier I instantly pulled all the plugs from the wall. After panicking I picked up the darkroom phone and told Mr. Weiner what had happened. With great patience and reserve, he simply told me to complete all the steps and let him know when I was done. He never raised his voice, just encouraged me to focus and complete the job. Remarkably the light only damaged about 15% of the film. This setback did not deter me from trying again or doing something I was unsure about. A life lesson I’m reminded of frequently is, failure teaches us much more than success.
Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Jay: Filmmaking is a collaborative medium so it’s not about a single voice. It’s about reminding the team that “we” control our destiny and success by collaborating. Leaders must surround themselves with honest and aspiring teams. Those who learn from a true leader will become one themselves.
Adam: Who are the best leaders you have been around and what have you learned from them?
Jay: I’ve learned a great deal from network executives I’ve worked with over the years who live by integrity to get results. Today one must be a skeptic. Leaders should be judged by their actions, and not by their social media presence or sound bites.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Jay: While wishing for the best has good intentions, I believe actions speak louder than words. Most entrepreneurs focus on the pocketbook rather than lay the groundwork for the future. Taking risks includes spending your profits to show your commitment.
Civic leaders today need to be independent rather than part of a larger movement. Betraying your audience has consequences.
Adam: What would you like readers to know about your new film?
Jay: Camera is the heartwarming story of loss, hope, and healing, following a mute 9-year-old — Oscar — who just moved with his widowed mom to a struggling fishing town. Picked on and bullied, nobody realizes that Oscar sees great beauty where others only see despair. Nobody, that is, until a broken camera brings him together with Eric, an eccentric old repairman, and an unlikely friendship develops.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Jay: Count to 10 and never give up!
Adam: Is there is anything else would you like to share?
Jay: Filmmaking has become my lightning bolt to share wonderful inspiring stories. Coming from a generation where mentorship was not uncommon, I hope this film reminds the viewer of the rarity and true value we each have, and the biggest gift is to share it.
Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.
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