We recently connected with Darryll C. Scott and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Darryll C. , appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
My self discipline comes from playing sports as a kid. My mother and father had me at least try every sport at least once. The sport that I gravitated towards the most was basketball. As much as I hated practice I noticed early that it made the games so much easier. Like the harder that I practiced this is with the team but also by myself working on my weaknesses and making them my strengths. But the self- discipline is not when you have to go to practice or have to go to something it’s all the work at 4am prep that makes the game or in my case the film pitch or shooting a film I have prepared so much that it turns into easy work when I am there. And I am ready to pivot and adjust because I have thought of every worst possible outcome.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
What is a Producer? I remember being asked that multiple times when I started in this business but I remember one particular time by the angel Lucinda, I went into a long winded answer explaining what I do on a day to day bases and she said so basically you are the CEO of film or show? I said yes… I actually never thought of it like that. I said I actually build a company, make it worth an amount and sell it to a company for a price point and retain some ownership of it. From that day which was about 10 years ago I have explained it as such. What I do is same as every other business. That’s why it should be called business show instead of show businesses. Because if there is no business there is no show. A producer takes all the problems good, bad, or ugly and makes them into solutions or options for creatives to continue there vision, while staying under budget and if you get a great balance then it will not compromise the vision. A producer has to have a lot of trust. I was taught by David Ayer that if you don’t trust the pilot then you shouldn’t take the flight. You can’t complain about it when your up in the air that’s when you make the best of the flight.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities skills or areas of knowledge that are most impactful on my journey are: 1. Hard work is not good enough you have to out work other people. Everyone says just work hard, well that would make sense if we were all dealt the same hand. Like chess every stars off equal but that’s not real life. Those that have been given a silver spoon there is no need to hate on them just out work them, see the flaws and use them as your advantage. 2. It’s not good enough to just compete against yourself. I have a list of producers that I am coming after. I’m not even on the list of “top producers” but I am on the mission to pass everyone of them until I am number 1 on everyone’s list. It’s healthy to size up your peers, because I believe in steel sharpens steel. Nothing wrong with friendly competition I think it helps the art.
3. Find the patterns and walk the path. Everything becomes simpler when you study it. Do the research and find a way to make it happen. Will Smith explained to me on the set of the movie Bright. There is a small difference between number 1 and number 2 but there is a huge difference between number 1 and number 2. So follow the patterns to be number 1! I learned a long time ago that the smartest person wins.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed I go back to the basics. It all starts with a pen and pad. I have to clear my head on a pen and pad. I actually have to use a big white board to write it down and go from beginning to end. I understand my stupidity, so I am not afraid to learn. I read that Michael Jordan starts every practice off with a chess pass. When the pressure gets to you start with the basics and work your way to a solution.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @darryllcscott
- Twitter: @darryllcscott
Image Credits
Luc-Richard ‘L.R.’ Elie
