Al Hallak

Be very patient and understanding of people you work with and don’t jump to conclusions to any challenging situation. Take your time and try to make the best decision you can.

 

Al Hallak is a filmmaker, educator, and an entrepreneur who has over a decade of industry experience working with renowned producers and film companies, in addition to developing and producing numerous film projects. As an educator, Hallak has taught at major film schools and organizations throughout the United States and has served as a judge and critic for some of the nation’s most competitive film events. Hallak founded Pitch to Screen to offer filmmakers the tools needed to bring their scripts to life and showcase their skills and talent.

Where did the idea for Pitch to Screen come from?

In 2010, I was approaching film companies in Los Angeles to pitch a movie concept when one of the executive producers asked me if I could show him a scene of my script as a proof-of-concept. At that point I realized that one scene can help generate interest and move a project forward. The main drive behind (Pitch to Screen) is to motivate filmmakers to bring their concepts and scripts to life and showcase their talent. In addition to our production services we offer master filmmaking workshops and organize an annual film festival (Pitch to Screen Film Awards).

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I wake up around 6 am, make my coffee, and go to the gym or take a walk, and then I’m off to work. Normally, my morning time is dedicated to meetings and emails, and the afternoon is for organizing and managing our projects. I organize my day based on tasks and take a break every two hours to refresh and get back to a different task. I learned to prioritize things and not do everything at once.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I normally sketch my ideas onto a piece of paper and then create a digital version of them. From there I keep thinking of the best ways to implement those ideas effectively; it’s trial and error and it takes a lot of patience and hard work. I also email my team members and ask for their thoughts. We openly discuss things during our meetings, and sometimes I talk to family and friends and see what they think. This helps me come to a conclusion and make my final decision.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Online marketplace services for creative assets and creative people. It’s become increasingly available to artists, giving them access to affordable resources and a passage to promote their work to a larger audience.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Listing my goals and setting deadlines to achieve them. I keep a list on my desktop depending in priority; this really helps me get things done and move forward.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be very patient and understanding of people you work with and don’t jump to conclusions to any challenging situation. Take your time and try to make the best decision you can.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I wouldn’t keep thinking of ways to save money in a savings account or for retirement. I would invest money wisely to build something that can potentially generate more money than just savings alone. I have the belief that you are the wealth, money doesn’t make you wealthy, so investing in yourself and your ideas can make you stronger and wealthier.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I keep motivating myself to stay focused and keep moving forward. The moment you decide to build something new and become an entrepreneur, things will get tough and you will find yourself facing so many challenges. The best way to keep moving forward is to keep motivating yourself and reminding yourself that you can make it work with patience, commitment, and hard work.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Working with the right people—not only qualified people, but the right people. Working with a team that believes in you and your mission can help you succeed.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Overspending to achieve an ambitious goal. I have since learned to set achievable goals with the resources I have and to work with the right people in order to achieve them.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Every industry need some type of service or platform to solve a problem; that’s where you want to start and also do something you are good at and love. An idea for a business that just came to mind is to find a platform that would build a team of experts for a business. The platform gives you options to post your requirements and match you with qualified people around the world to team up with and run a business.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Applying for a fiscal sponsorship that gave us access to funding opportunities.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Recently, Adobe Spark has been useful for social media.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I recently read “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap, and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins and thought it’s interesting to know How can companies achieve enduring greatness.

What is your favorite quote?

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you” Walt Whitman

Key Learnings:

• List your goals and set deadlines to achieving them.
• Keep motivating yourself, stay focused and keep moving forward.
• Be very patient and understanding of people you work with.
• Work with the right people and hire the right people.
• Set a reasonable budget in your business plan and avoid overspending.

Connect:

Business ‘Al Hallak Pictures’
www.alhallakpictures.com

Business ‘Pitch to Screen’
www.pitchtoscreen.com