Hi everyone! Thank you so much for being a part of this incredible community. I love the idea of sharing our fails because I have A LOT. I've called the tech team and told them to add more server space just for me. Here is a short story about the time I almost worked for Tom Cruise's producing partner Paula Wagner:
I was working at a management company at the time which was my first real job in the industry. I was interviewing for the next gig (as you do in this business) and a friend who is VERY connected set me up for an interview with Paula Wagner - Tom Cruise's former agent and producing partner at Cruise/Wagner. They did "Mission: Impossible", "The Others", "Minority Report" among others.
My friend was formerly her Development Executive and recommended me. So the job mine to lose. And - spoiler alert - that's just what I did.
On the day of the interview I walked in to Paula's massive high-rise office inside the MGM building overlooking Century City. There she was behind her desk. I was told she liked to ask weird interview questions like, "If I wanted a dozen penguins in my yard by tomorrow, how would you do it?"
So believe it or not, THOSE were the questions I practiced. The reality was much different. The first question she asked was, "If I wanted you to place a call to Barry Meyer, where would you call?" Now, at the time Barry Meyer was the CEO of Warner Bros. - but I did not know that at the time! So I did the thing that I should have NEVER done - I guessed.
"CAA?"
"No."
She tried again. I guessed, again.
"No."
The door closed behind me and that's when I knew, I fcked up.
I called my friend who set me up with it and I said, "Do you think it is salvageable?" He yelled back into the phone, "JASON HOW THE FCK DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO BARRY MEYER IS?!"
So needless to say I did not get the job. But it did teach me a valuable lesson - know as much about the business as you can. Even if you think it doesn't apply to you, it does. From then on, I made it my mission to stay up to date on every aspect of the business - including executives, agents, managers, and people I may never even meet.
5 years later I was working on a film with Warner Bros. called "Contagion" and guess who I met at the premiere. Warner Bros. CEO Barry Meyer. I said, "Let me tell you about the time I met Paula Wagner."
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That’s a heck of a story, Jason! Maybe soon Wagner/Cruise will come looking for you. Have that penguin question ready. Haha
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Jason, here is a tip I learned working in the hospitality industry. Always say, I would contact the concierge at the hotel. They always have the answer, (Hyatt)
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Tasha Lewis Yes! Afterward I thought, "why didn't I just say that I would look it up in her rolodex under "Meyer, Barry"?!"
I guess "Hey Siri, who is Barry Meyer" wouldn't have gone over well during the meeting. But in the end... you were working on Contagion so that's pretty awesome.
So what did you discuss when you met him Jason Mitch? I ask because that was your opportunity to see what his next projects were.
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That is a similar story to mine, but with a happier ending. :D
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Ouch...I've heard you share this experience before but this time it just hits different. It is so important to make sure that you take the time to educate yourself on the business. But what I want to know is ...how WOULD you get 12 penguins in a backyard by tomorrow?
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Wow. Definitely makes me continue to keep up with the trades. Thanks for sharing Jason Mirch
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THIS is spectacular. A fireside bar story with a tremendous lesson and a killer ending.
Jason, sorry for misspelling your last name. Important when members click. This is why I default many times to formality. Better to error with respect than be informal and blow an important introduction.
...and what did Barry Meyer reply?
...who is Paula Wagner?
or?
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OUCH Jason Mirch! This reminds me of another fail I need to post! Wowee and a half - lesson learned! And you are now the KING of knowing who everyone is in the industry!
A prime example of failure teaching a lesson and you brilliantly learning and thriving from it. Great story, Jason!
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That's an excellent example of learning the business. I have found talking to executives most of them have seen everything out there or at least know the logline. That amazed me that some if these big-time players in the movie industry knew movies that well.
Setting up a checklist of important things to know about everyone involved in the meeting and research on previous IMDb stuff would make a great study prior to meetings.
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Thanks for sharing that interesting story, Jason Mirch. Congrats on meeting Barry Meyer and Paula Wagner. My biggest take from this post: "know as much about the business as you can."
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When I read the penguin question, I thought about the Jim Carrey movie "Mr. Popper's Penguins."
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So do you call CAA for the penguins then?
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I get so nervous about these type of stories because my memory for names is soooooo baaaaad!!!!
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Great story ! :)
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Because of this, I will NEVER forget who Barry Meyer is! :-P
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What a cool story, that can learn something valuable and something that I will definitely.
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I appreciate the love everyone! Thanks for some great comments!
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I met Paula once and she was lovely. I'm sure she let you down easy.
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Oh my! You need to talk to my husband. He was supposed to have a love scene with Bo Derek but the film was cancelled. He was a very disappointed young man but it turned out great for little ol' ME!