What’s your game plan, and how long will it take to get there? Let’s get up to speed.

Becoming a writer, director, or producer you aspire to be can take time, or it may never happen. Success is not guaranteed, but it depends on your choices, adaptability, and persistence.

💡 Here’s how my journey unfolded

The Dream

At 11, I was captivated by filmmaking, spending hours with Super 8 film, envisioning myself as the next Spielberg. What do you expect? I was a teenager in the ’80s, for Christ’s sake!

Reality Check

I was not drawn to the typical film school environment. Most of the students were focused on experimental and artsy filmmaking, and that was not the kind of storytelling I aspired to. I just wanted to make great entertaining movies. At that point, the dream of becoming a filmmaker started to feel unreachable.

The Detour

I turned to another passion: music. By 18, I was DJing in over 20 clubs, spinning vinyl records to make a living. In the late ’90s, producing music led to gold and platinum records. Yet, despite this success, my heart yearned for filmmaking.

The First Step Back to Film

Purchasing a video camera, I ventured into creating corporate videos, honing my skills and earning a living. However, I craved creative freedom, leading me to collaborate with screenwriters and delve into narrative filmmaking.

My First Feature Film

In 2007, I directed “Cornered!” (picture on set), a pivotal experience that revealed directing was not my true calling. I was not the kind of filmmaker who wanted to dive deep into performances and character psychology. I was more focused on execution, problem solving, and getting things done.

The Shift to Producing

Embracing my entrepreneurial spirit, I transitioned to producing. This role combined my love for film, technical expertise, and business acumen, allowing me to facilitate storytelling effectively.

My Next Steps

With accumulated experience, I continue to learn daily. My focus now is mentoring emerging filmmakers, offering them opportunities to become the next Spielberg, Nolan… And maybe they will help me to direct another movie someday. Who knows?

🚀The Lesson

Looking back, I sometimes wonder, if I had figured this out right after school, would I have been more successful? Maybe. But I also might have made too many mistakes along the way. The truth is, no path is perfect. Every step forward adds value, even if it does not seem like it at the time.