2008 Woodie Awards
Managing Creativity, with Steven Haft.
Erika Sawyer
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Steven Haft, producer, writer, and lawyer came to the William H. Pitt Center on Monday night to speak to students majoring in media studies and business, in a presentation about creativity in management.
Haft, a long time veteran of what he calls "the business," has produced many widely known films, documentaries and popular television series. Namely; MAD TV, Emma, The Dead Poets Society, Hocus Pocus, and Pirates of Silicon Valley.
Haft has experience with production having worked for AOL interactive marketing and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU.)
Haft's transition from law to film was accidental. "I met a lot of influential people and I adored them but it was time to move on," he said.
He later stated that the only qualifications he had about making films was that he watched them.
Haft shared some of his experience with students on the brink of joining the industry. Advising them, and painting a realistic portrait of what the world of entertainment looks like from a managerial perspective.
"Working with creative people can be as challenging as it is exciting, making the right creative decision is crucial to the success of your
Product," Haft said.
He discussed his mentors, who believed creating action in a motion picture is not merely creating explosions and car chases, but that the successful creation of action will "make the mind race."
"Having the right answer takes time. Time to respect and enjoy the process. You don't have to wear black or change your taste in music to be creative, you must develop your sense of curiosity," said Haft.
As students listened respectfully, some intently jotting down notes, Haft explained that to be in a management position, there are several important principles to ensure successful ventures. To recognize you are in a position of authority, and understand that the process is not democratic, is key.
Share credit, where credit is due, Haft said. "The best representative is going to be the source of the idea. The person who best knows where the idea came from," he said.
Haft encouraged students to "find [their] true creatives." His idea was that students become the best authority on what works and what doesn't.
"Do not pick thinkers, pick doers because solutions are the true nature of creativity."
Haft was an inspiration to students interested in "the business." When asked how to break into the world of business Haft said when he first started working for the Sundance Film Festival, the amount of entries was hardly on the scale that it is today.
"The point is, is that the entertainment business has not only become larger, but more attainable, and creative people are everywhere," he said. Breaking into the business now has "never been easier."
Haft, a long time veteran of what he calls "the business," has produced many widely known films, documentaries and popular television series. Namely; MAD TV, Emma, The Dead Poets Society, Hocus Pocus, and Pirates of Silicon Valley.
Haft has experience with production having worked for AOL interactive marketing and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU.)
Haft's transition from law to film was accidental. "I met a lot of influential people and I adored them but it was time to move on," he said.
He later stated that the only qualifications he had about making films was that he watched them.
Haft shared some of his experience with students on the brink of joining the industry. Advising them, and painting a realistic portrait of what the world of entertainment looks like from a managerial perspective.
"Working with creative people can be as challenging as it is exciting, making the right creative decision is crucial to the success of your
Product," Haft said.
He discussed his mentors, who believed creating action in a motion picture is not merely creating explosions and car chases, but that the successful creation of action will "make the mind race."
"Having the right answer takes time. Time to respect and enjoy the process. You don't have to wear black or change your taste in music to be creative, you must develop your sense of curiosity," said Haft.
As students listened respectfully, some intently jotting down notes, Haft explained that to be in a management position, there are several important principles to ensure successful ventures. To recognize you are in a position of authority, and understand that the process is not democratic, is key.
Share credit, where credit is due, Haft said. "The best representative is going to be the source of the idea. The person who best knows where the idea came from," he said.
Haft encouraged students to "find [their] true creatives." His idea was that students become the best authority on what works and what doesn't.
"Do not pick thinkers, pick doers because solutions are the true nature of creativity."
Haft was an inspiration to students interested in "the business." When asked how to break into the world of business Haft said when he first started working for the Sundance Film Festival, the amount of entries was hardly on the scale that it is today.
"The point is, is that the entertainment business has not only become larger, but more attainable, and creative people are everywhere," he said. Breaking into the business now has "never been easier."
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