Have you ever considered the leadership it takes to create a film? Kevin sits down with Harold Cronk, an award-winning director, writer, and producer to explore how lessons from film production offer unique insights into leadership, team dynamics, and vision. Harold discusses the importance of servant leadership and explains how leading highly creative teams requires fostering a culture of trust, empowering talent, and aligning individual contributions with the larger vision. He also emphasizes the significance of aligning his projects with his values, especially when tackling real-life stories. He also gives an inside baseball look into the behind-the-scenes reality of film production, debunking myths and sharing insights into the patience and precision involved in creating movies

Listen For

00:00 Introduction 01:44 Introducing Harold Cronk 03:17 Harold's Career Highlights 04:07 Journey from Art Teacher to Filmmaker 06:01 Early Experiences with Directing 07:12 Leadership Lessons from Film and Teaching 09:46 Challenges of Scaling Film Productions 11:21 Navigating Studio Expectations 12:42 Leading Creative Teams 14:08 Managing Talent and Creativity 15:28 Attracting the Right Talent 17:28 Behind the Scenes on a Film Set 20:15 Challenges of Film Project Management 21:02 About the Movie "Average Joe" 23:25 Real-Life Story Behind the Film 24:00 Staying True to the Real Story 27:50 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 29:20 Importance of Passion and Persistence 30:26 Harold’s Hobbies and Interests 31:23 Current Reading and Creative Projects 32:11 Closing Reflections

Meet Harold

Harold's Story: Harold Cronk is an Award-Winning Director, Writer, and Producer. His big break came when his short film, War Prayer, earned him Best Director at the 2006 Beverly Hills International Film Festival. Cronk’s first box office hit, God’s Not Dead, and the sequel, God’s Not Dead 2, landed him the opportunity to helm Unbroken: Path To Redemption for Universal Studios. Based on the life of Louis Zamperini, the film received rave reviews from audiences, earning an A cinema score, as well as the Movie Guide Award for Best Film for Mature Audiences. Recently, Cronk won his first Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing of The Quest, a high-concept family adventure series for Disney +. Cronk’s most recent film, Average Joe, based on the life of coach Joe Kennedy, is currently in theaters across the country and boasts the highest Rotten Tomato audience score of any faith film opening weekend at 99%. To date, Cronk’s films have grossed over $100 million in the domestic box office.

https://averagejoemovie.com/

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