Gia Walsh

Do what you regard as your passion. Do the thing you would do if it is your favorite hobby. Go after the thing that you love the most.

 

In the age of Independent Filmmaking Gia Walsh, owner and partner of Gigi Films have been able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a film producer. An Independent filmmaker is also known as an Indy, film producer. As an Indy film producer, she is responsible for creating ideas and turning the ideas into a marketable film project. Each project would also require raising suitable financing as well as the artistic talent for the project. It is an amazing challenge in an incredibly competitive industry. Gia Walsh successfully took on that challenge ten years ago and continues to pursue her dream.

Gia Walsh grew up in Westchester County New York, a New York City suburb. She attended Manhattanville College in Purchase New York and graduated with her degree in American Literature. Her degree provided her with an excellent foundation for her future in the filmmaking industry.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

I have always been a movie buff. I embraced the idea of making films. I researched the roles of people within the filmmaking industry. I was excited to find that there was an important role in the filmmaking process that would satisfy my passion and ignite my creativity.

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

I start my day reading scripts, and writing script notes. I read articles scripts and books. Reading is the most essential part of finding and creating new projects. My day consists of making phone calls and answering emails and meeting with individuals who will be contributing to my projects in many different capacities.

How do you bring ideas to life?

The way we bring ideas to life is through brainstorming. We can take a book or a script. I reference other books or movies. Then we bounce ideas off of one another. I love old movies. I research films as far back as the 30’s through the 60’s and beyond. The way we create new movies for the future is by tapping into our references. Many times, when I am reading something new, I am able to connect it to other classic films that I have loved. I figure out why that movie that I loved worked, and see the similarity. It may inspire me to think about movies that we may be able to update. We see if we can make something fresh and new. The way we do that is to analyze what caused a particular film appealing to us, and how we can visualize it to make it fresh.

What’s one trend that excites you?

What excites me is to see more female directors. I love on-screen scripts and what directors have to accomplish with the script. It is the technical part of the industry. It is such a tremendous undertaking. The idea of women in that position is monumental. Women are exceptional collaborators. There is much focus on female directors. I just really appreciate that trend.

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

I am capable of performing many different tasks at the same time. Most people don’t like to multitask. It energizes me to work in that manner. I want to stay busy. I enjoy meeting new people. I like to read, and that is a big part of the job. I would read even if it were not in the work description.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell younger Gia Walsh to really know that everything happens at the time that it should. Stay awake and keep your antenna-up and seize the opportunity when it arises. Follow your intuition. Pay close attention to your own intuition and don’t deviate from it. Your intuition will serve you well. Be confident and know your own mind.

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

I don’t believe in accidents. Good or bad, it serves a higher purpose. When things are uncomfortable or seem to be going in the wrong direction. Just stay the course, it is leading you to your destiny.

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

One thing that I believe in when I am creating a movie is that I have to trust my own response to the movie. My understanding of the human condition is that if I feel one way about a movie, others will feel the same. It is universal. But it is all about trusting your own judgment.

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

I have been very fortunate to work with incredibly talented and wonderful people in the films we have made. I really have valued those relationships and they have led me to the opportunities for future projects. It has expanded my professional network in such an incredible way.

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

I wish I joined the film industry 5 years earlier. It has always been a passion of mine and I could have been enjoying this experience that much sooner.

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

Do what you regard as your passion. Do the thing you would do if it is your favorite hobby. Go after the thing that you love the most. In other words, follow your passion.

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

I bought two books and magazines. The purchases fortuitously led to our next project.

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

I use IMDB pro which is the Internet Movie Data Base. I check this site quite often. It is a part of my research regarding actors, and it informs me of the movies they are involved in.

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

I would highly recommend The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron. The book talks about how the fear of possibly failing can prevent people from taking chances and going after their dreams.

What is your favorite quote?

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Key Learnings:

• Do what you regard as your passion.
• Everything happens at the time that it should.
• Be confident and know your own mind.

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