Assignment 1, Jackson

Mr. Stratton Leopold,
Executive Vice President Production (Paramount)
Savannah, GA

1. Can you briefly define your job to me?
I produce movies.

2. How did you get started in this business?
I started out as a trainee. It really started when I moved from Savanna to New York. I got a position in locations and worked my way up from there. I also dated an actress and she introduced me to a lot of people. Also I met Julliet Tailor a casting director who is one of the best in the business who introduced me to a lot of areas of the business and got me into producing. But it all started from the level of trainee in which I worked my way up from there over the course of about 10 years.

3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can’t accomplish an assigned task?
Well we just try to accomplish everything that is assigned. If we can’t accomplish something then we normally know ahead of time because we have analyzed it and we have figured out in advance what will and will not work. The boss is normally the studio and in a case that we can’t accomplish an assigned task I try to work with other people and provide different alternatives to get the same effect.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
In general I would encourage good networking skills. As far as producing it is really good if you’re also a writer because you can control certain aspects of the picture that allows your vision to come out. As for working in a studio I would again strongly suggest good networking skills because it’s all in who you know in the business.


Mr. Paul Leone,
Freelance Producer
Savannah, GA

1. Can you briefly define your job to me?
Freelance producing editing and shooting

2. How did you get started in this business?
I actually got started by studying English in college, worked for a local news station baseball hall of fame, and it progressed from there. I started doing commercials for different companies and working at different studios. I did the commercials for the local hospitals. And right now I’m in Atlanta doing a commercial over here.

3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can’t accomplish an assigned task?
You don’t. It depends on stage of career. At my stage I don’t accept tasks that I can’t accomplish. Those who are just starting out would probably be more flexible and able to put in the long 18 hour days and are willing to put in the effort to accomplish the said task. At my stage, however, don’t accept jobs that I cant do and I’m able to pick and choose what I do.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
I’d have to say take internships, learn how videographers work, how editors work and any other field in which they are willing to train you. The goal is to learn as much as possible because now many jobs are calling for people who know how to do multiple tasks and work multiple programs. Right now for example they have a job calling for someone who knows dreamweaver, aftereffects, and photoshop. So do as many internships as possible and take in all the knowledge that you can while you’re on them because the skills you learn will be helpful.


John Baer--Producer
Savannah, Georgia

1. Can you briefly define your job to me?
I own a production company in which we produce video, compose original music, jingles and long format programs. We also do some graphic design through logo creation, display ads, brochures and we creating TV and radio spots as well.
2. How did you get started in this business?
I actually started out in the music business as part of a band in the 70’s. From there I was introduced to other aspects of the media industry.

4. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can’t accomplish an assigned task?
Being in business for yourself gives you a lot more flexibility in that regard. I can pretty much control what jobs I take in and don’t take in jobs that I wouldn’t be able to handle. It’s all in running a successful business and keeping clients happy so that they will return to you for future business. It is important to me that I keep my clients satisfied by providing quality work so not completing a project is not an option. You’re going to eventually run into problems in this business but its all in how you handle yourself and others which sometimes means finding alternatives or turning down jobs completely.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
I would encourage students to keep at it and not to give up. Like I told you I started out making music and it didn’t go as planned but I don’t regret it because it turned into so many other opportunities. I would also encourage always putting your best foot forward in everything you do because even if you don’t have the ability others take note of effort.


Casie M.--Producer
Savannah, GA

1. Can you briefly define your job to me?
I produce and do location management for print, television and film in the Georgia and South Carolina area.

2. How did you get started in this business?
I attended the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. In 1986 I attended the University of Kansas where I earned a B.S. in Journalism, Advertising and Broadcast Journalism

3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can’t accomplish an assigned task?
You generally don’t take on a job that’s too big for you to handle. But in the event that you do you may have to problem solve to come up with another solution. You may have to turn to outside sources or call in someone more experienced to get the job done.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
Find something that you really enjoy doing and don’t be afraid to try new things.