
Having the opportunity to work in promotion, advertising and cable television in N.Y.C. before I went to law school - which all helped me become a better entertainment attorney years later. So I agree with the person who said earlier, that learning as many skills as you can, and venturing out into areas that are unfamiliar to you, helps in everything you do. And whether you work in a company or are your own boss, becoming that person who is not afraid to take on new challenges and learn new things opens amazing vistas, and may lead you on a path to a career that you never anticipated.
Best of luck!
Judith Dornstein
One of the best activities was to interview countless industry professionals at Sherwood Oaks College events and Scriptwriters Network meetings. After I picked the brains of all those Oscar winners, Emmy winners, and A-list writers, I learned a great deal. My screenplay consulting business has increased substantially, too, because my clients benefit from my advanced understanding.
James Jordan
Owner at Candid Coverage
The best thing I ever did for my career was to leave my "staff" producing job and jump into freelance production. Working for myself for over 5 years has created endless opportunities.
Remember: JUMP AND THE NET WILL APPEAR!!
and to love.....always!
Jill Richardson
Broadcast Producer

The best thing I ever did was to quit my job as an office manager for a local union (essentially this was like turning off a money faucet) and joining my husband as the partner of his video production company back in 1994. At the time it was such a leap of faith, but I AM SO HAPPY I DID IT!!!!!!!! Sometimes I feel like "The most interesting woman in the world." :)
Patty Mooney
Partner,
Crystal Pyramid Productions Watered the rose beds of a line producer 2 times a week while he was on summer vacation in London. Upon returning to LA he hired me to work for Arnold Schwarzeneggar, who in turn signed my papers to join the Film Editors Guild. I met the editor who hired me show after show on that job... best move ever on my part... to smell the roses!
Eric Wiler Producer
I'm about to do it. Two days ago I decided it was time to finally stop giving in to daily distractions and procrastination and I traded in a timeshare week for a week alone in Sedona to finish my script. I leave Saturday, on a seven hour drive. I intend for this time away to be not only a chance to focus 100% on my writing but to send myself a signal that I am serious about my talent and my career. Everyone else believes in me; my manager, my agent, my teachers, my fellow writers, the contest judges who have given me prizes... but none of this amounts to anything if I don't believe in myself, and that means giving my work the time, attention and respect it deserves. Stay tuned for the results of this experiment!!
Lisa Rothstein
Award-winning screenwriter Freelance Copywriter & Consultant "The DaVinci Coach" for Creative Professionals
While being a subeditor in a district level newspaper in southern India (Mysore) which paid a paltry salary, I chanced upon foreigners who started frequenting the cyber cafe where I spent almost all my evenings. With a nose for news and to fill my columns in the paper, I started inquiring about their presence. This led to a chance of a lifetime when they led me to meet their Yoga teacher. The group had come to learn Yoga from him. The teacher in his 70s had started the Yoga classes only for foreigners and his elder son was heading a centre in New York where Gwyneth Paltrow, Sting and others were his students. Madonna was also a student and the Yoga teacher showed me pictures where she frequented his London centre. The photo was with Madonna and the Director's grandson standing together wearing a T shirt with 'Mysore Centre' inscribed on it. I wrote a story on the centre with the pictures of grandfather, grandson, son and the one with Madonna. It was for the Times of India Bangalore edition in their Backbeat page. I wrote under my other name 'Sinchana' and the title read "Madonna's Mysterious Mysore Connection". This article created a big furor in Mysore and my popularity soared. I got offers to write scripts for educational documentaries for the local media centre affiliated to the University under the UGC funding. Though money did not rake in as it does in commercial cinema it gave me tremendous knowledge and excellent network. I was assigned with a Producer and we brought out films with important personalities in India with international acclaim. This move helped me get a good position in a corporate sector in Bangalore. Two years later I moved out from Bangalore with my children following my husband to the West of India. It took me 7 years from 1997 - 2004 where I moved from one company to another continuing my work with print and electronic media, which became my hobby. Today I continue to make films as an alternate career. I must confess that my struggle and despair in those years paid off and I always thank God for whatever I have learnt and gained through the years.
Chitra Ramesh
Assistant Director at HMP CDC
It is only when we face difficulties and challenges and take them in a charishmatic manner, not buckling under pressure, we will definitely come out victorious. And we'll be better professionals than those who have been born with a silver spoon.
Sally Blake
Voice On Fire
Best thing? I'm not really wired to think that way as anyone's life is made up of many many choices, each one intertwined with the rest. Although there was no one "best thing", I followed what I loved and it led me here. I had no intention of being a Writer, much less a Producer. I had no real knowledge of that side of the business and no connection whatsoever. But I allowed myself the freedom to stay open to opportunities my life offered.
Steven Sears
Writer/Producer in Television and Film

Quitting my dayjob! It took me seven months of unemployment, but now Im no longer a teacher, but a graphic designer and sound engineer. And I am loving every single second of it! It's hard work and a difficult industry, but if you follow your heart, it will lead you...
Mark Simon
Owner, Sell Your TV Concept Now
Worked for a Non-Profit Theatre showing Films. One I selected for the series was a personal favorite - "Mon Uncle," a French Comedy. Two people came to see it, myself and Noel Paul Stookey! It was one of his favorite films, also. We became friends and I got my first job in the Industry! And a lot of good things came from that meeting.
Louis Mitchell
CEO, Sunset Productions and Entertainment Consultant
First, in order to move from off-line editor to on-line editor, I took a step back to assistant editor at an on-line post house in order to learn to be an on-line editor. Then I moved to LA (from Miami) to go from big fish in small pond to little fish in big pond. That was really hard but the right thing to do. Then I gave up my side acting career when it began to interfere with my editing career. (That's a whole other story). Then I moved from LA to NY where I seem to feel more at home (my entire family and wife and her family are from NY, so I guess I have NY blood and heritage).
Chaz Shukat
Avid/FCP editor
I would have to say, going out on a dream and writing my first screenplay.
James Adams, BSIT, MBAIB
Editor-in-Chief at The Adams Commentary
The best thing I ever did is something I do every single day - remind myself of the power of positive thinking.
Munaf Husain
President, Dancing Light Pictures
DECIDING. Anyone can dream all they want about what they can do or how unique and important their voice is. There is absolutely nothing special about dreaming. Actually deciding to do something about it, to take action to attain a goal, is the ONLY way to make a dream into a reality. This goes for making movies, this goes for quitting smoking, this goes for living the life that you think you should be living. In short, it's called walking the walk. If there's something that you've always wanted to have but don't have or you've always wanted to be but aren't, it's because you've haven't decided yet. Decisions lead the way. Everything else follows.
Simon Fraser
writer / producer / director at sifr4 digital media
Took some business training and learned how to build a "sales pipeline". Haven't looked back since...
F. Tyler Shaw
Composer and producer of custom original music for film, TV and multimedia.

Well, the "soundtracks" of my life have been to "Dream the Impossible Dream"...to be thankful for the "Wind Beneath my Wings"...and, in the end, to know that I lived life "My Way". Taking leaps of faith have defined my career, and so far, it has been a rewarding experience. Now, that's not to say there aren't trade-offs (I still don't have kids for instance) but like other modern women, I seek balance to define true "success". My career highs...so far? In my early 20's, I worked in the music business and watched the launch of careers like Mariah Carey, Arrested Development, Janet Jackson...and others...up close. In my mid 20s, I decided to go back to school to pursue my love of science and spent years living and working in the Caribbean and Central America studying people in remote fishing communities. That experience led me to spend the next 10 years of my life working as a "small fish in a BIG pond"...as an Environment and Science news producer at CNN. After 9/11, I spent two years on the "war desk", then the next 2+ years covering natural disasters. In the aftermaths of all those events, I noticed a growing number of orphaned kids who were falling through the cracks of international systems...and many were disappearing. So, I decided to research the plight of orphaned kids with a goal to help them meet their needs. I left to pursue my doctorate in Anthropology 3+ years ago. When I graduate this year, I plan to merge my skills in anthropology and investigative journalism to identify some of the most vulnerable members of the global orphan population and generate support for them with the help of the media. So, "career highs" in my view, are all the steps I've made that have taught me something new about myself and allowed me to grow. Some of the steps were rough...but so far, all have been rewarding. I wish everyone a peaceful and blessed journey as you also follow your dreams!
Camille Feanny
Independent Program Development Professional, Former CNN Producer