Do What You Love: The Batman Movie Producer
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Ever dream about finding a way to do what you love for a living? In my "Do What You Love" column, I ask people who've done it to tell me their secrets. Here's hoping they inspire you to do the same.
Michael Uslan is the originator and executive producer, along with partner Benjamin Melniker, of the Batman franchise of motion pictures. In his 36 years in the film and television industry, he has been involved with such projects as “National Treasure,” “Constantine,” and countless animated projects. His projects have won Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmy Awards. He is the author of “The Boy Who Loved Batman: A Memoir,” (Chronicle Books, 2011). Uslan tells us how he found a way to do what he loves for a living and how you can, too.
BusinessNewsDaily: What do you do?
Michael Uslan: Produce movies, write, lecture.
BND: How did you end up doing this for a living?
M.U.: Got up off the couch to pursue my passion in life. Knocked on doors till my knuckles bled. Had a high threshold for frustration. Believed in myself and my work. Made a commitment and never gave up, even when I had to walk through hell.
BND: What was the crucial decision you made that led you to this place in life?
M.U.: The world needed to see what the true, dark and serious Batman was like and a big movie to erase the “pow-zap-wham” memory of a funny, pot-bellied Batman on TV.
BND: What did you want to be when you grew up?
M.U.: Writer of Batman comic books.
BND: Why do you love your job?
M.U.: It’s based on my passion in life. Every day I report to a sandbox and play with my favorite toys… that’s what my job is.
BND: What's the biggest misconception about your job?
M.U.: That it’s all glamorous and creative. It ain’t!
BND: If you didn't do your job, whose job would you like to have and why?
M.U.: Advertising exec with a subversive agency or a teacher.
BND: What's your best advice to other people who are trying to find a job they love?
M.U.: Do everything I did in Question 2 above.
Jeanette Mulvey has been writing about business for more than 20 years. Know someone who loves what they do? Tweet me @jeanettebnd with the hashtag #dowhatyoulove.