HOWDY!
My name is John Mader and I am a Producer that has worked in the industry in one way or another for over 20 years.
I have done everything from local commercials and low budget indie films in the mid west to reality TV, medium budget features up to multimillion dollar an episode network TV shows costing well into the tens of millions a season. And during that time I have worked in every position on a project above and below the line as well as in front and behind the camera.
This affords me a unique perspective and practical understanding that others that may have taken a more administrative path to producing simply lack.
This does not mean I know everything. In-fact, part of what makes this line of work fun is the challenge of figuring out the new thing you have never done before and making it look really really cool!
As a result I am big believer of team building and collaborative management. A crew will do virtually anything if they feel invested in a project and will work in difficult conditions if they understand why they have too as opposed to being dictated too. That being said it still has to happen with in the financial confines and time limits we have to work with and that I am responsible to the studio/network for.
All my years of experience have led me to believe that our goal is not to make the most “amazing” yet expensive project ever made that then the client (Studio/Network) cannot afford so they only make one episode or feature. That frankly may never see the light of day.
I want to make some really pretty good projects at a price point the client can accept and then we make a whole bunch of them for several seasons and or sequels.
It pays better and ultimately is more gratifying on an artistic level. :-)
DGA / IATSE / SAG-AFTRA
I have done everything from local commercials and low budget indie films in the mid west to reality TV, medium budget features up to multimillion dollar an episode network TV shows costing well into the tens of millions a season. And during that time I have worked in every position on a project above and below the line as well as in front and behind the camera.
This affords me a unique perspective and practical understanding that others that may have taken a more administrative path to producing simply lack.
This does not mean I know everything. In-fact, part of what makes this line of work fun is the challenge of figuring out the new thing you have never done before and making it look really really cool!
As a result I am big believer of team building and collaborative management. A crew will do virtually anything if they feel invested in a project and will work in difficult conditions if they understand why they have too as opposed to being dictated too. That being said it still has to happen with in the financial confines and time limits we have to work with and that I am responsible to the studio/network for.
All my years of experience have led me to believe that our goal is not to make the most “amazing” yet expensive project ever made that then the client (Studio/Network) cannot afford so they only make one episode or feature. That frankly may never see the light of day.
I want to make some really pretty good projects at a price point the client can accept and then we make a whole bunch of them for several seasons and or sequels.
It pays better and ultimately is more gratifying on an artistic level. :-)
DGA / IATSE / SAG-AFTRA
