I’m Not a Media Producer, I’m a Success Cultivator
When people find out that I work in the entertainment industry and started my own production company, I immediately get rapid-fire questions about what it’s like being a media producer, if I know anyone famous, what projects I’m currently working on—you name it, and I’ve probably been asked it before. And I get it; my work stories are very different from the typical answers people get when they ask the infamous icebreaker: “So, what do you do for work”?
I’m always happy to share stories about my experiences over the years, and I appreciate all of the positive feedback I get from people, but I want to be clear: yes, I’m lucky to have a career in an industry that is also a passion of mine, but these experiences aren’t what makes my job special. I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had, but, in reality, I don’t view myself as a media producer—I think of myself as a success cultivator.
The stories I prefer to tell are never the ones that are all about me or my achievements. Instead, they’re about what the people I’ve come into contact with have accomplished. That’s why I chose this career path: to play a part in giving others their chance at stardom, not to build an impressive resume. This should be true of any leader, not just in the entertainment industry.
It’s a leader’s duty to recognize the talents of their staff while also accepting the responsibility of being an active participant in their future development. My team just happens to be directors and writers instead of department heads—and I see their potential through their stories, not through the number of sales they make in a month.
Everyone has a story to tell
When I created Brian Graden Media, our guiding principle from the very beginning has been about identifying incredible stories and giving those individuals a platform to share their stories to millions of viewers. I believe in the power of storytelling, from the heartbreaking to the entertaining to the weird. Always have, always will.
My production company helped a family tell their story about their daughter’s disappearance through the The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway series; I worked with an unknown Trey Parker and Matt Stone to create The Spirit of Christmas, which eventually went viral and metamorphosed into South Park; we also produced Finding Prince Charming, a “first-of-its-kind” all-gay dating show that also advanced HIV awareness to the public.
When I say I love what I do, it’s because I get to help people realize their version of success. Sometimes that’s helping creators like Trey Parker and Matt Stone make history with television’s longest-running scripted series, or regular families like the Holloways finally being able to bring attention to the devastating story of their daughter’s disappearance.
Everyone has a unique story to tell, and helping them put that story together before they show/tell it to the world is the best part of my job. Where a media producer just wants to make money off of someone else’s story, I care about making their dreams a reality.