“It’s not about me. It’s not about you, either. It’s about legacy, the legacy left behind for future generations.” – Tony Stark (Iron Man II, 2010)
Tony talks (and thinks) a lot about his legacy since his enlightenment in the first “Iron Man” movie, but this quotation is probably his best known. With intent, he changed his company away from building weapons of war. With intent, he became a leader in sustainable energy with Stark Tower. With intent, he created Ultron to create “peace in our time.” With intent, he created “B.A.R.F.” (hysterical acronym!). And his inventions go on.
But what is his legacy? It’s being Iron Man… and all that he does and sacrifices to be Iron Man.
Tony didn’t intend to become so. He became Iron Man in the desert out of necessity – brilliantly using his intelligence. Over the years he improved the suit again and again to keep Iron Man effective, and as Iron Man as well as Tony Stark, he mentored Spiderman – part of a new generation of superheroes.
What I find interesting is that Tony didn’t actually intent to become Iron Man. He never stopped inventing after becoming so – chasing ideas and inventions that he thought would be his legacy – but he also leaned in to being Iron Man and all that means.
And I’m sure we all think about legacy to some degree. Not necessarily at the scale of Iron Man or saving the world, but of what we leave behind from our professional endeavours to make a better tomorrow. As the third edition of my production management book came out this year, I got to thinking about legacy too and my legacy (finally?) became clear.
When I wrote the first book (“Surviving Production”) back in the 90s, I never thought I’d write an expanded production management version (“Film Production Management 101”) five years later, let alone re-writing and updating the PM book several times over in the next couple of decades… and its being associated with ducks on the cover (ask anyone about the PM book with the ducks on the cover).
Aside from writing, I’ve continued expanding my film industry knowledge and work experiences, which in turn feed into my book. I’ve taught film students. I’ve mentored film industry folk at many levels. I returned to school to hone my skills writing fiction and even better understand crafted story. But “Film Production Management 101” (and its ducks) keeps coming back to me – in a very good way.
I’ve met people who’ve used my book to help them become successful production managers – the universe has been kind to let me meet from time to time. I’ve had people personally and with heartfelt sincerity thank me for writing the book because it gave them the confidence to chase their dream of working in the film industry.
So, I have to admit it: my book “Film Production Management 101” is my professional legacy. It’s certainly not all of me, but it’s been around since 1997 and it’s pretty darned great (if I say so myself) and available in more countries than I’ve ever travelled to! It’s my gift to filmmakers of today and tomorrow. And that’s a pretty darned cool legacy.
What might your legacy be? You may not be able to see it yet – as both mine and Tony’s wasn’t really revealed to us until later in life – but keep being true to you and I’m sure your legacy will reveal itself to you in time.
Thank you, Tony, for the insight.
Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb
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“Film Production Management 101” (now in its third edition) is updated for today’s respectful workplace and sustainable practices – available worldwide, including Amazon-USA, Indigo-Canada and many other bookstores or directly from the publisher (MWP).
