Meet Terry Payne

We recently connected with Terry Payne and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Terry, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

It comes from a strong faith in God and knowing that anything is possible. You should always believe in yourself. Even before I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I don’t panic because I know it’s there. I just have to keep pushing toward it.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I was born and raised on the Eastside of Detroit, MI. I graduated from Northwood University, class of 2012, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing. With over 15 years of experience in upper management, I would like to believe I’ve developed strong team-building and multi-tasking skills that have greatly enhanced my approach to filmmaking.

I began my writing career in 2021 and launched my first film project in
2024. This year, 2025, I released my first comedy film, “A Night to Forget” which is now available across multiple streaming platforms, marking a significant milestone in my creative journey.

I hope and plan to further my career in film and television. Writing and creating projects that brings joy and entertainment to others. I feel that it is my purpose in life to create.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

In the world of filmmaking, you must be able to rapidly resolve issues because they’re going to occur and occur out of no where. I’ve accumulated years of experience on problem solving issues especially for others. A great quality to have in filmmaking is being a proficient listener. As an executive producer, it’s quite easy to make decisions based solely on your vision and feelings but having an open mind and listening to your crew can be greatly beneficial. It can also help you avoid regretful decisions later on. Knowing how to set the room tone is a key factor when being the leader of a project. I learned that positive energy and attitude can often motivate others to push through issues, frustration or even fatigue when trying to reach the finish line.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Feeling overwhelmed can really be mentally and sometimes even physically painful. We all deal it with at times and I’ve had my fair share of problems during both filming and writing. What works for me is taking a step back and having a moment to think about things that brings the most joy to my heart, which is my family. Aside from the passion and joy of creating, my family is what lights my soul and gives me the tools to weather any storm. When I’m in a great space with my family I feel like I can conquer anything.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: terrypaynethewriter
• Facebook: Terry Payne
• Linkedin: Terry Payne