St. Louis, MO – March 23, 2024
- Are you a public
figure with an incredible story to tell?
Perhaps you've considered writing a
book or having a film made about your life, but are frustrated with your limited options. Doing it all yourself isn't realistic, but selling your life rights to a stranger is scary. Are you turned off by the lack
of control you have when you hire out or the strong feeling you get that they are simply trying to exploit your story
for their own financial gain?
If that is the case, you're not alone.
Many public figures face similar challenges when it comes to
sharing their stories authentically and on their own terms. If it feels like you are facing a strong
headwind or the deck is stacked against you if you want to control your own
process, it's because it is. The system isn't really structured in a way that allows you to control the process while still getting the quality you deserve.
Put another way, it is hard to do justice to your story while maintaining
control of your rights. It is generally an either or proposition. Either sell your life rights to Hollywood and hope they get it right, or control the process with underwhelming quality that fails to match the potential of the typical Hollywood route.
What if you could get the best of both worlds? What if you could get great storytelling and the control you want?
I formed STORYSMART® to help individuals just like you own
their story and share it on their terms.
You deserve nothing less than that. If this sounds appealing to you, I urge you to spend a few minutes reading this short post.
STORYSMART®: Empowering You to Own Your Own Narrative
We believe that you deserve own your own story told
professionally. At STORYSMART®, we specialize in helping public figures and other clients who have a monetizable story navigate the complex world
of professional storytelling while ensuring they maintain control over their own story while also benefiting financially.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to empower our clients
to make the most of their own story with the help of the industry’s best
professional storytellers – whether that is filmmaking, live theater,
traditional publishing, gaming, or the exciting new world of the meta-verse.
We do that by educating our clients about how to be STORYSMART® throughout the process, while also having them make some critical strategic investments early in the process so they control their storytelling source material. Our proprietary approach is unique.
We operate like a ghostwriting service with what I like to
describe as a STORYSMART® Story Franchise mindset akin to the big Hollywood Studios when it comes to helping
you derive the most benefit from investing in telling your story.
We help you control your narrative, build
your brand and create real wealth for you and your family by being intentional about the process you follow in going about telling your own story.
We work hard to make the process fun and hassle-free. And, most importantly, we strive hard to
ensure that it is both personally fulfilling and financially rewarding.
The Frustration of Limited Options
It's not uncommon for public figures such as athletes, entertainers and other accomplished
individuals to feel constrained by the limited options available to them when
it comes to sharing their stories.
Traditional publishing and filmmaking routes
often come with strings attached, leaving you feeling like your story is being
shaped and controlled by others. This can be disheartening, especially when
your story is deeply personal and meaningful to you.
We believe you should be able to control your
own process and benefit from efforts to monetize your story when it comes time
to share it with the world. That is all possible when you are STORYSMART®.
Our STORYSMART® Approach: Professionalism with Integrity
At STORYSMART®, we understand the unique challenges you face
as a public figure. People are always trying to take advantage of your
notoriety for their benefit. I have
seen all too often. As someone who
worked 18 seasons in Major League Baseball, I witnessed it on an almost daily
basis with baseball players. Someone is always looking to take advantage of them. I saw it a lot with the journalists seeking special access to write a book about a player. More often than not, it was a big benefit to the writer with little benefit to the player. The idea of engaging a writer in a ghostwriting role wasn't even on their radar.
Having worked in politics, I saw it happen there in ways
that were particularly nasty. That business is cut-throat to begin with and few within it have been savvy enough to think about the big picture as they are caught up in the daily ritual of trying to get headlines.
Almost no one thinks about photo rights until it is too late. Just ask any famous person. It is a rare public figure that actually owns the copyright on a photo of themself. Telling your story well often comes down to some practical elements few (except great storytellers) consider.
At STORYSMART®, we believe you should be able to have your
story told using the best possible storytelling available while also exercising
control. I’m talking about the level of
quality only the most elite in Hollywood have access to when they undertake a
project.
They are smart in bringing in the best to tell their own story, without sacrificing
control. Movie stars that have been part of the system for awhile have gotten savvy about being on the ownership side of the table or actively participating in profit sharing in the creators pool.
Ironically, few other people are equipped to truly do justice to
their own story.
Storytelling is both a skill
and an art. You don’t have a story
without storytelling. Great stories come
alive through the telling process. That means a writer must write the story. A producer must produce the film. There is a lot that goes into those processes.
I founded STORYSMART to be the solution to the problem I see
with one of the greatest developments within my lifetime: the democratization
of media production.
I love the
democratization of media production that has resulted from the technology
revolution underway worldwide. It is
exciting and empowering. But it has
given rise to some big problems in terms of sharing a great story.
Hear me out.
I love the fact that anyone can publish a book or video
today. The barrier to entry in media
production is so low that more media is produced by the masses today than
mass media. Everyone is a potential media outlet. That fundamental reality has disrupted traditional media in
profound ways. They simply don’t know
how to cope with all the competition and tectonic shifts in the economic landscape of distribution.
Joe Rogan has bigger audience than some of the most
venerable names in mass media. It is
true. More people tune into his podcast
than Fox News, CNN & MSNBC combined. Think about that.
Technology has given rise to the influencer. Anyone can now reach an audience directly
through the internet and social media.
Politicians can communicate directly with voters via social
media and the internet. Musicians and
entertainers can do the same thing.
Anyone with a cell phone can shoot a video. Anyone with a
computer can self-publish a book. It is pretty cool.
At the same time, the world is filling up
with a massive quantity of media. And much
of that media is complete crap. I’m
sorry to put it that bluntly, but it is. It is awful.
I’ve bought some self-published books that are so poorly
written, I can’t finish them. Same with
videos and movies. Just because
technology has enabled you to write your own book or make your own film doesn’t
mean you should.
Great storytelling is a real skill developed and refined
over time. Great stories don’t exist
without great storytelling. It is all about the telling process.
A skilled PROFESSIONAL
storyteller will do a much better job telling
your story than you would doing
it yourself.
The publishing industry has the ghostwriter because of this fundamental fact that a pro will do a better job writing than an amateur 99 out of 100 times. The ghostwriter has been around for generations - allowing someone to control & own their process by hiring a professional.
The best celebrity books are penned by a
professional writer working with that celebrity. The celebrity isn’t the one chugging coffee
& chain-smoking cigarettes over the smith-corona typewriter at 2AM to
finish the manuscript. They engage a
professional to help them write the best book possible while still maintaining
control and copyright.
We believe the same type of service should be in place for
filmmaking. You should be able to engage
a professional on a work for hire basis to tell your story on screen while
still controlling your storytelling and maintaining control over your
intellectual property rights.
That basic idea is what gave birth to the idea of
STORYSMART®. That's why we've developed a proprietary process that puts
you in the driver's seat of your storytelling journey. Here's how we do it:
1. Professional Storytelling, Your Way
We collaborate with the world's best filmmakers and
storytellers on a work-for-hire basis to ensure that your story is brought to
life with the highest level of professionalism and creativity. You deserve
nothing less than top-tier talent working to capture the essence of your
narrative. The question isn’t how to
turn your story into a film, but who are the right creatives to help you bring
your story to the screen? Demand the
best. If you are producing a documentary about yourself, who is the right director you should hire? If you want to develop a screenplay, who is the right writer to help you?
2. Control Your Narrative
Unlike traditional avenues where your story may be shaped by
external forces, STORYSMART® gives you full control over how your story is
told. From the tone and style to the key messages and themes, every aspect is
curated to reflect your vision and values authentically. This process begins in the story development
phase. This is the single most important phase that almost everyone overlooks. It is about getting control of your narrative and your storytelling source material. Small investments here can put you in the drivers seat with shaping your own story and being intentional about your intellectual property rights.
3. Ownership and Maximizing Value
Maintaining ownership of your story is paramount. With
STORYSMART®, you not only retain intellectual property rights but also maximize
the value of your name, image, and likeness. We believe that your story is an
asset that should work for you in both personal and professional capacities.
4. Profit Sharing and Long-Term Success
Our story franchise mindset ensures that you benefit from
spin-offs and revenue streams generated by your story's success. Whether it's
becoming a bestseller book, a blockbuster film, or a streaming sensation, you
deserve to share in the financial rewards that come with professional
storytelling done right.
Why Choose STORYSMART® Over DIY Approaches
You might be wondering why you should choose STORYSMART®
over self-publishing or DIY filmmaking. The answer is simple: expertise and
impact.
The question isn’t how, it’s who
Here's why:
1. Expertise of Top Professionals
Imagine having the storytelling industry bests working for
you to bring your story to life. Their expertise, creativity, and attention to
detail elevate your narrative to new heights, ensuring it resonates with
audiences globally. That is exactly what
a Hollywood Studio would do if they bought the rights to your story. Why wouldn’t you swap roles with them and act
as your own studio? Isn’t that what the
big actors in Hollywood ultimately do when they form their own production
companies?
2. Maintaining Control and Rights
Engaging with professionals doesn't mean relinquishing
control or intellectual property rights. STORYSMART® ensures that you remain at
the helm, guiding the creative process while leveraging the expertise of
seasoned professionals. This process gets increasingly more complicated depending on your ambitions and budget. From a practical standpoint, you won't be producing a major motion picture by yourself. You won't be able to attract the right team to make that happen without creating a special purpose vehicle, lining up investors and assembling the right talent. Hollywood financing is it's own unique animal.
3. Quality and Longevity
Professional storytelling isn't just about immediate
success; it's about creating a lasting impact. By investing in top-quality
production and storytelling, you position your story for long-term success and
continued relevance across various mediums and platforms. You want to develop your own
copyright-protected source materials, control the copyright on storytelling
production and maintain control of your derivative’s rights where you can. Being STORYSMART® about your process will be key.
The Journey to Success Begins with STORYSMART®
If you're serious about sharing your story professionally,
authentically, and with maximum impact, we are here to support you every step
of the way. Our individually tailored, elite services cater to discerning
clients who understand the value of investing in the highest quality
storytelling and owning their narrative legacy. I urge you to reach out to me personally if we can help.
Conclusion: Your Story Is Your Legacy
In conclusion, your story is a precious asset that deserves
to be told authentically and on your terms. With STORYSMART®, you can turn your
aspirations of sharing your story into a reality without compromising on
control, ownership, or integrity. We
would love to embark on this transformative journey together, helping you create
a legacy that resonates for generations to come. Remember, at STORYSMART®, your
story is our passion, and your success is our mission. If we can help, don’t hesitate to reach out
for a confidential free consultation.
About STORYSMART®
Nothing is more enduring than a beautiful film that brings a
story alive on screen and in our hearts.
Great stories demand nothing less than cinematic Hollywood-quality
storytelling. That is why STORYSMART®
empowers discerning clients like you to have your story produced by some of the
best documentary filmmakers and cinematic storytellers in the industry while
retaining your intellectual property rights.
You deserve to own your story as an unforgettable film.
STORYSMART® provides elite-level documentary filmmaking,
screenwriting, and other related services to discerning clients who are
determined to have their story stand above the rest by investing in the best.
STORYSMART® specializes in helping non-profits and public
figures such as professional athletes, entertainers, former elected officials,
and celebrities make the most of their story using a proprietary approach that
blends Hollywood-style cinematic storytelling with museum-like collection
curation and story-focused brand licensing.
STORYSMART® is ideal for clients interested in controlling
and monetizing their own storytelling through story-based media production,
publishing, and merchandising.
Learn more and book your FREE CONFIDENTIAL consultation
at
storysmart.net
Filmmaking For ALL™ My Own Story™ Storytelling For ALL™
About Ron Watermon
Ron Watermon is the founder & CEO of STORYSMART® LLC, a premium
cinematic storytelling consulting service that enables discerning clients to
have their own story produced as an unforgettable film while retaining control
of their intellectual property rights.
STORYSMART® provides a unique set of customizable services
ranging from story preservation digital archive services like those used by
Oprah Winfrey, Bon Jovi and Billy Graham, to story development, screenwriting, publishing,
licensing, and professional documentary filmmaking.
As an attorney, Emmy-nominated screenwriter, and visionary
communications leader with decades experience in Major League Baseball and politics,
Ron brings a unique blend of skills to help clients maximize the value of their
own true stories.
You may learn more about Ron at https://www.storysmart.net/about-ron
and https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronwatermon/
