Profiles of Tenacity: Tyler Tran

Tyler Tran is a fourth year entertainment and media studies and finance major from Charlotte, North Carolina. Tran serves as co-president of the Industries Club and a member of the Finance Society, Media & Entertainment Business Society, the Lightroom, and the Athens Film Festival.

Read his Q/A below.

Why did you choose your major?

From the start, my passion has always been film and storytelling, but I also wanted to combine that with my business and entrepreneurial mindset. This led me to pursue degrees in entertainment and media studies and finance. Going from cinematography to corporate finance theory can be strange at times, but every day brings a new challenge, which is exactly what I asked for. I like to say I exhaust the right side of my brain, then move on to the left.

I’ve networked and spoken to many professionals who believe most creatives lack the business skills needed to make it in the industry. Vice versa, many “suits” don’t understand the mind of a creative. I chose these majors in order to be as prepared as possible entering the workforce. I view both disciplines as languages—I have to constantly use both or I’ll lose it.

Upon graduation, I’m exploring a few pathways. On the finance side, I’m very interested in production or studio finance. On the creative side, I’ve naturally gravitated toward producer roles on student films and at my current internship, so continuing in that direction would be exciting. My dream, though, would be working in theatrical distribution—being involved in the business decisions that bring films from production to the big screen. The theater experience is what sparked my passion in the first place, so being part of that process would be incredibly fulfilling.

What does tenacity mean to you?

To me, tenacity is taking it personally. I think to be successful, you have to be a little petty; you have to hate losing more than you love winning. Didn’t get the role? Weren’t selected for that festival? Great — use that frustration as fuel to improve. If it doesn’t bother you, then that’s most likely the problem. However, there’s a caveat: Taking it personally and then doing nothing is dangerous. I grew up playing basketball — as we say, “ball up top.” Endure and keep going, chin up always. When you give in to your mind, the only winner is your competition.

On the other hand, tenacity is also how you respond to success. I disagree with “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There’s always room for improvement. While I can’t speak for everyone, if you’re constantly chasing excellence, you can never be fully satisfied — and that’s how it should be. There’s this Travis Scott line I really resonate with that goes, “I’m way too antsy, ‘cause my ambition’s too frantic.” I get excited thinking, “what’s next?”

What is one piece of advice that you would give to other Grady students?

Don’t waste time doubting yourself, and have conviction. You have to go for it. Look at yourself in high regard and have self-belief. I’d rather be delusional than realistic. Myself included, you don’t want to graduate regretting not making that project, not joining that organization, not talking to that person, etc.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life?

There are so many people who have had an impact on me during my time at UGA. Within Grady, I’ve had three classes with Professor Schmitt. I took Writing for Entertainment Media with her, then Production Basics, and now Cinematography. For my first short film, I wrote the script in her class, produced it in the next, and now I’m continuing to master my skills with her this semester. She has been with me every step of the way as I evolve as a filmmaker.

Another professor who has had a significant impact on me is Professor Bailey, who also has a background in finance and film. He has been a great mentor as I navigate this niche pathway. I feel like every time we speak I learn something new.

Mickey Vetter and the FilmHedge team have been a great influence as well. I remember cold-calling Mickey on LinkedIn, not thinking he’d respond, to then FilmHedge coming to our college to speak at one of our meetings, to later meeting up with them at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s inspiring to see people doing what you want to do in such a successful and innovative way. One message will forever have an impact on me.

An alumnus, Chad Mumm, told me something that stuck with me: “Keep going north.” Everyone knows how unpredictable this industry is, or even life in general. You might not always know exactly where you’re headed, but you should never be too comfortable. Sometimes it’s OK to recalibrate, but from there you have to keep grinding and moving forward.

Over the past year, the biggest impact on me has been my bosses, Guillermo Zouain and Wendy Muniz, at The Lightroom. There are positives to being the most underqualified person in the room, and it’s a privilege to learn from them and our team every day. They are by far the most knowledgeable people I’ve met who work in the industry. If there’s something I want to learn about, they know it. They will never know how much they’ve taught me. Through them, I’ve had the opportunity to work on and even produce projects I’d be lucky to touch after graduation.

And of course my parents and stepdad, because I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them, and most importantly God, who I lean on every day.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the past year?

My biggest accomplishment in the past year was attending the 78th Cannes Film Festival through StudyAway with Grady College. I owe Dr. Kohn big time for letting me on the program. It was an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I sort of had my “welcome to the league” moment there. You get to Cannes, and it’s intimidating. You feel like a little minnow compared to everyone else, at the bottom of the totem pole.

Cannes is rare because you have everyone in one industry in one place at the same time. You talk to people who are “big time,” and it’s easy to start doubting if you can really make it in this field. But then — I wish I could tell you the exact moment — there’s a switch where you start thinking, “I can compete. I can make it.”

The different films, creatives and professionals you meet from all over the world change you as a filmmaker. It definitely impacted me as a creative. There’s also so much innovation happening in the industry at Cannes, and I was fortunate enough to shadow a few people there to see how business is done and learn what’s coming next in the industry. I don’t know in what capacity, but I will be back. Believe that.

What advice would you give to your future self?

“Let your ambition carry you.”

Editor: Anyi Morfaw, abm40431@uga.edu