"Film" secrets about remote work (feat. Steven Puri)
Remote work techniques from the film industry can apply to tech. Creativity often strikes when you're not focused on it.
In this episode, Steven Puri shares his unique insights on remote work, drawing parallels between the film industry and software engineering. He discusses the evolution of film production, the importance of flexibility in work environments, and the universal challenges faced by teams in remote settings. Steven emphasizes the need for creativity and collaboration, and how leaders can foster a productive atmosphere regardless of where their teams are located. The conversation concludes with personal reflections on the importance of happiness in work.
Takeaways
Steven Puri has a diverse background in film and technology.
Remote work techniques from the film industry can apply to tech.
Creativity often strikes when you're not focused on it.
Work should be defined by what you do, not where you do it.
The cold start in the morning can be a significant barrier to productivity.
Starting with small tasks can build momentum for larger projects.
Leadership style significantly impacts team dynamics and productivity.
The film production process involves various stages of collaboration.
Tools can help overcome procrastination and overwhelm.
Happiness and self-fulfillment are key to productivity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Remote Work in Film
06:04 The Evolution of Film Production and Remote Work
12:01 Bridging Film and Engineering: A New Perspective
18:03 Universal Challenges in Remote Work
23:49 Personal Reflections and Conclusion
Podcast
(For video version, go to Spotify, Apple, or YouTube)
Transcript
Guest: Steven Puri
Steven is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life.
Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in the DC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer & Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM. After attending USC in Los Angeles, he began working in film production and produced computer-generated visual effects for 14 movies including Independence Day which won the Academy Award for Visual Effects.
Steven's first tech company was Centropolis Effects that produced those CGI effects, and he eventually sold it to the German media conglomerate Das Werk when he was 28.
Steven then produced some indie films and eventually went studio-side to develop and produce live-action features as a VP of Development & Production at 20th Century Fox (running the Die Hard and Wolverine franchises) and an EVP at DreamWorks Pictures for Kurtzman-Orci Productions where he worked on Star Trek, Transformers and more.
After Fox, Steven returned to building tech companies and founded The Sukha Company - 'sukha' means 'happiness from self-fulfillment' in Sanskrit. The Sukha is a focus app that bundles all the tools necessary to have a focused experience and a healthy, productive workday.
Steven lives in Austin, TX now.
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