Business Class: Embellish the world with a little bit of magic
By Randall Kenneth Jones
Originally published in the Naples Daily News
Friday, June 28, 2013
KC Schulberg’s grandfather, B.P. Schulberg, produced “Wings,” the first film to win the Best Picture Oscar, in 1927.
His grandmother, Adeline Schulberg, was Hollywood’s first female talent agent.
His father, Stuart Schulberg, was an independent producer/director and executive producer of “The Today Show” for 10 years.
His uncle, Budd Schulberg, was the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “On the Waterfront” starring Marlon Brando.
No matter how you look at it, that’s an extraordinary professional pedigree.
Whether preordained or not, young KC Schulberg has also enjoyed a prolific career in the family business.
Prior to forming his own production company in 1998, Schulberg served as Worldwide Production Supervisor and then Sr. VP of Worldwide Marketing for New York-based Hallmark Entertainment, a preeminent producer of television mini-series and movies.
However, his family’s influence is probably most evident in the emphasis Schulberg places on quality, artistry and humanity over personal financial gain. “At the end of the day, there are many ways to measure success—but class in business affairs is of primordial importance to me.”
After all, it was his Uncle Budd who famously wrote, “Having a conscience in Hollywood is like driving with a hand break on.”
Simply put, KC Schulberg wants to “embellish the world with a little bit of magic.”
Moreover, a childhood visit to the set of the 1958 film “Wind Across the Everglades,” written by his uncle and produced by his father, set in motion a lifelong affection for Southwest Florida.
The film starred Christopher Plummer in his first lead role and served as Peter Falk’s film debut.
As a relatively new resident of Naples, KC Schulberg now hopes to bring his personal cinematic vision to life by producing several films in the area.
His first project, “A Dream Last Night” based on a short story by Budd Schulberg, is scheduled to begin shooting in Southwest Florida before the end of the year.
KC Schulberg holds a photo of his uncle and his father on the set of “Wind of the Everglades” in 1958
According to Schulberg, “The film is a throwback to my father’s and uncle’s era of filmmaking. However, the story does not operate in a strict ‘reality’—it’s more ‘magical realism.’”
“Magical realism” refers to a literary and film genre where magic elements are a natural part in an otherwise mundane, realistic environment—a term which could easily describe Schulberg’s enviable approach to life.
His longtime friend, writer-director-producer David Paulsen (“Dallas,” “Dynasty,” “Knots Landing”) adds, “There is a lovely, magical quality about KC. He’s a true producer—he has a dream and he finds a way to get it done.”
After all, “magic” doesn’t happen by magic—it’s the result of vision, hard work and an ironclad belief that each of us has the power to, as Schulberg says, “bring joy and beauty into the world.”
In any case, wouldn’t our business world be a better place with a little more magical thinking? In fact, what would happen if more of us would reject the mundane in favor of a fresher, more visionary approach?
Whether you define magic in a more traditional “abracadabra” sense, or by its first cousins—spontaneity, creativity, inspiration and surprise—take a tip from Hollywood, and KC Schulberg, and try to work a little magic today.
Marketing guru, business humorist, professional-courtesy advocate, branded-content writer, creative-development consultant, and entertaining motivational speaker Randall Kenneth Jones is the creator of RediscoverCourtesy.org and the president of MindZoo, a marketing communications firm in Naples, Florida.
Pictured above: KC Schulberg holds a photo of his uncle and father on the set of 1958’s Wind Across the Everglades.
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