For my next blog installment, I wanted to interview a project manager that worked in the entertainment field, and below are brief excerpts from the in-depth conversation the two of us engaged in. Topics ranged from challenges he faced as a project and artist manager to the lost values of art in and of itself in this day and age. All statements are summarized or paraphrased unless quoted.
Q: Can you please state for the record your name and title?
A: My name is Mr. Hariz Farid and I am a screenwriter/director/film producer who was formerly an artist and project manager in the entertainment industry amongst other things.
Q: What are the names of some of the organizations you are affiliated with?
A: Foremost Films is my company and for over twenty years I have been executive director of the art based, non-profit organization called No Cane that looks at the issues that effect young people and promotes self-awareness, self-reliance and self-esteem. My team and I go into various schools and tie art into social service and teach film lessons.
Q: What types of projects have you worked on in entertainment?
A: I have previously worked as an artist manager, primarily for young hip-hop artists, My father was a musician and I am an artist myself in the film industry so I have experience in many facets of the entertainment industry.
Q: What skills/job requirements should a Project Manager in entertainment possess?
A: Hip-hop artists need to respect you as a person, a human being, before they will respect you as a project manager. “A project manager has to manage his own life first before he can manage someone else’s.” In order to manage others, one needs to be grounded and have self-centeredness. Secondly, a manager needs interpersonal skills because you are marketing and promoting for your artists, negotiating and networking with industry professionals, agents and executives. Third, you have to be able to speak and write effectively. There are a myriad of skills required of a PM and each day is different because one day I am playing babysitter to an artist, the next psychologist and brother.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a Project Manager?
A: Being “ready to grow and learn other areas and skills besides what I was used to as a project manager.” I had a lot of responsibilities and had to learn a lot of things as I was in the business and doing it constantly. Everyone needs a mentor with experience in this business.
Q: How did you motivate people and reward them as a manager?
A: Some artists’ successes come so fast that they lose motivation and the will to continuing working. You can look at the difference between Motown era artists such as Marvin Gaye and a popular hip-hip artist now and see the lack of polishing and artist development that we see present in this new culture. “Art, culture, and community go together.” They are not “ appreciating the blessing” and so I gave them “ the history of the industry” to remind them of how it used to be. I told them “ work should be a labor of love”. That is the true reward. Teaching them about the legacy established through blood, sweat and tears and the struggle others had before them.
Q: How do you stay organized within a project?
A: I would say surround yourself with a team that has a definite aim and purpose. You need to have a sense of commitment larger than yourself. You have to know what you want to do and have to learn how to say no. Give the project the proper nutrients like a plant needs water and sunlight, As a PM, you have to have people around you who know their places and the rules.
Q: What else do you enjoy doing in the entertainment field?
A: “Art should be utilized to inspire, to encourage, along with entertain.” With No Cane, I like working as a motivational speaker and “moving people” and this is also why I started making films and teaching film in schools for the young. “Young people need to feel how much you care when you are talking to them, it’s not just about what you know.” I would like to say also “ that there could be no change, unless you change the culture.”
Q: What did you like about being a Project Manager?
A: It was very exciting and hard work but I also got to see the “magic” happen in the studio and see the creative side of music. It made me appreciate art. I became a project manager over time, I did not choose this at first but it was my way to get into the other outlets in entertainment. Nowadays I only manage myself but I do like to hire and manage people still but just not on an everyday basis like before. I work virtually as well online with other filmmakers and industry professionals.
This was a very engaging interview and I will be contacting him again in the near future for advice and to help him and his organizations. I agree with him when he says, “ Poetry is a musical thought.”- Author Unknown. Below is a preview of Mr. Farid's documentary film that is currently being adapted for the stage and for a book.
Mr. Hariz Farid can be reached at formostartist@msn.com and http://www.nocane.com for information and updates on his upcoming films, projects, events and programs.
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