With Sony’s new Ghostbusters film coming out this Friday, the timing couldn’t have been any better to welcome Chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Michael Lynton, to the New York Film Academy’s Guest Speaker Series.
Lynton leads SPE’s global operations, including motion pictures, television and digital content production and distribution, as well as home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, and the development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.
Under the leadership of Lynton, The Sony Motion Pictures Group has garnered Best Picture nominations for American Hustle, Captain Phillips, The Social Network, Moneyball and Zero Dark Thirty in addition to blockbuster franchises such as The Amazing Spider-Man and James Bond.
Lynton also oversees Sony Pictures Television (SPT), which produces and distributes award-winning programs such as Breaking Bad, Justified, and The Blacklist.
At the Q&A event, moderated by producer Tova Laiter, Lynton provided invaluable insight into the business, especially from a studio standpoint. His overall look on the current state of Hollywood and the business was very positive, especially for our theatre full of filmmakers and actors.
“I think the studio model at moment is in pretty good shape,” said Lynton. “We are hungrier than ever for talent and new projects. This is a better time than ever to get a movie made and seen.”
Lynton says that more than anything, it is a persons hustle, wits, and ability to make things happen that gets them in the door and climbing the ladder faster than others. As for how to get started, he says, “Get a job any place you can on the outset. You want to get noticed very quickly.”
As for our acting students in the audience, Lynton said, “Go out on auditions as often as you can and have a thick skin. And don’t be particular about your first few jobs.”
After an hour conversation, students left the theatre motivated and felt very encouraged about the outlook on their future careers. We’d like to thank Mr. Lynton for taking the time out of his incredibly busy schedule to let our students and recent graduates pick his brain on the many subjects of the entertainment business.