Movie producing is the noblest profession | Jerry Davis | TEDxConnecticutCollege

Let’s face it, Hollywood producers have a bad rep, but you don’t need to be in Hollywood to be a Producer. Let’s look at what a Producer really does. A Producer is the catalyst that connects artists to their audiences. They bring us stories that educate, characters we aspire to be, and moments that make us laugh. And since laughter is the best medicine, they make us feel better. Producing involves a complex tangle of perception, imagination, instinct and risk-taking. Still think Producers deserve a bad rap? See how those same skills apply in all walks of life, and how you can be the Producer of your own career.
Jerry Davis has been a leading producer in family entertainment for over 20 years. Starting out under the mentorship of legendary Broadway impresario Alexander H. Cohen, Davis produced numerous successful off-Broadway shows and collaborated with talents as diverse as Charles Busch and Sid and Marty Krofft.
In Los Angeles, Davis joined Walt Disney Studios in 1992 as the production executive on Disney/Pixar’s TOY STORY. Recruited to Warner Bros.’ nascent feature animation division, Davis acquired IRON GIANT and assembled the movie that became Brad Bird’s first feature and a cult favorite.
Returning to his beloved New York, Davis began his long association with Blue Sky Studios, helping build it into the largest animation studio on the east coast. His credits include ICE AGE, ROBOTS, and EPIC, all released by Twentieth Century Fox.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx