Page 33 - Arts Management Magazine Iss 1

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A Common Thread of Determination, Focus and Self-Belief
by Jerry Gladstone

No matter what field you choose to pursue – singing, acting, painting, sports, or any
other endeavor - there are certain internal personality elements that must work together
like a finely tuned orchestra in order to reach your fullest potential. The overlapping
traits, disciplines and methodologies shared by those who have reached the pinnacle
of success are ingredients that we can all learn from in pursuit of our own dreams.
A fighter and a film maker – two very different careers, two very similar mindsets.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is considered to be an art form by many; a sport where
you play chess with your opponents body parts. If you want to win in the ring, you
need to have your body, arms and legs all working together in symphonic harmony. As
an undefeated fighter and professional wrestler, Daniel Puder has mastered that art.
Likewise, when making movies, the cast and crew need to come together as one like
the notes in a melodic masterpiece. Academy Award winning director Quentin Tarantino
knows that first hand. With more than $3 billion at the box office with smash hits
such as Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and The Hateful Eight, Tarantino acts
much like a band conductor to ensure the actors, cameramen, costume designers, hair
and make-up technicians, editors, musicians, effects people and so many others play
their part to perfection so the outcome is a classic work of art.

Against the Odds

Puder and Tarantino have more in common than one may think. They both started
out behind the eight ball with futures that looked bleak at best, however even though
the odds were against them, each used determination, grit and passion while in quest
of their dreams.
From childhood on, Tarantino was driven by an almost singular focus for movie making.
Despite dropping out of high school at age fifteen, he studied acting while working

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