Profile: Fred Seibert
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JF: Have you made any mistakes that you’d care to share?
FS:I have burned many bridges with people by being an arrogant cluck. Aside from the human consequences of that, there have been horrible business consequences. Many of those people have turned into very important powerful people who I can’t do business with. At around 40, I tried to stop being so judgmental about people, and to be a bit happier about life, and it made my business life a lot better. It’s just easier to be happy than to be unhappy. It means no matter how badly things go, I feel really, really lucky to have the chance to do the things that I like to do.
JF: What’s the hardest thing about doing what you do?
FS:Living up to my obligations to people.
JF: What’s the biggest perk?
FS:I’m happy!
JF: Why did you choose to do what you’re doing?
FS:The truth is, it chose me. By my nature, I do a lot of things. The ones I keep doing are the ones that serve me well and that I serve well. My mom told me growing up that I should worry about being a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. Truth is, I’m exactly that. So all I can do is be a producer. But I’m also just a big fan; I really love talented, passionate people. And I can be swayed to like things that I never knew I would like because of their talent and their passion.
JF: How do I get to be where you are now?
FS:The boring answer is hard work, passion and commitment, and a lot of luck. But as my mom told me, you make your luck. And if you’re sitting at home, luck will never find you. Go out. Pound the pavement. You could attend ASIFA’s meetings, for example!