You Belong at the Table—Even When You’re Still Figuring It Out

Monday morning thoughts from the mind of an executive film producer… and proof positive you really do learn something new every single day.

  • “It costs how much per day to have a dog on set?”
  • “The dog needs what accommodations?”
  • “One dog requires how many people and experts to accompany him?”
  • “And we have to pay extra if the actor has shirtless scenes?!”
  • Whew.

Here’s the reality check I want you to remember today: no matter how trained you are—or how long you’ve been doing something—there will always be something new to learn. And learning something new is not proof you don’t belong. It’s proof you’re expanding.

Even with incredible mentorship and real experience under my belt, there are still layers of this industry that don’t reveal themselves until you’re in the room, in the work, and in the details. And that’s exactly why your team matters. Experts are not optional. They’re essential.

After our table read, we reconvened to go through the full feature script and make cuts. The story is riveting—honest, timely, and necessary for the medical and cultural climate we’re living in. But when you’re working with 130+ pages and pushing two hours of content, you refine. You tighten. You protect the heart of the story.

And honestly? It reminded me so much of writing.

You don’t write to edit—you write to get the message out. Then you shape it. You refine it. You bring in the right experts to do what they do, so the final product can become what it’s meant to be.

This project is teaching me new things—like how pets impact production planning and budgets. I’ve worked on projects without animals, so these weren’t considerations before. Now I get why some filmmakers choose alternatives when possible. (Respect to the geniuses who find creative solutions that still serve the story.)

And because I’m wired the way I’m wired, one question stays on repeat in my mind:

“What does this mean for insurance?”

Because in any industry—nonprofit, corporate, creative, personal brand—everything is a potential liability. And wisdom says: create boldly, but protect your assets and protect people.

So here’s your Monday reminder, from me to you:

Don’t lose yourself in the sauce.

Enjoy the flavor. Add your uniqueness to the recipe. Keep adding value.
But don’t forget to build your own greatness while you serve.

Happy Monday,

Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services®

Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine™

Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Film Producer

Photo Credit: Erika Timmons, Executive Film Producer, E5Productions  

P.S. I have a condition that’s the opposite of arrogance: sometimes I forget how great I am. I forget the epic things I’ve built and executed. I even forget how powerful God’s Spirit is in me and the gifts He placed in my hands.
But He’s faithful—He reminds me. And He pushes me to finish what He started.

And about what’s next? I’m excited… but I’m staying quiet. Because here’s a word to the wise:

Execute—and let the results speak for themselves.
That’s the real secret sauce.

If you’re in a season of “new rooms, new levels, new pressure,” I see you. Keep going.

Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services®

Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine®

Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Film Producer