Visionary Entrepreneur Profile #1 / Thomas R. Clifford

The first in this series of interviews and conversations with visionary entrepreneurs is one of our very own zaadzters. Thomas R. Clifford, also known as Director Tom, describes himself as a "Corporate Documentary Filmmaker" who is "moving people with moving visions". He is a man who has chased his artistic and professional vision straight to the birth of Spiral Story, his co-creation with  Jatin DeSai. How did Director Tom get from being an insurance company employee to managing his own artistic enterprise?

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Alina: How did you come up with your business idea– or how did you discover this niche in the market?

Director Tom: In 1984, I landed in the Television Studio at The Travelers Insurance in Hartford, Connecticut.  At that time, the studio was under the Corporate Communications Department.  It was a remarkable time for three main reasons: budgets were not an issue, I had three incredible mentors and we had upper management supporting our style of remarkable filmmaking and storytelling.  All three elements combined to ignite some of the most interesting video stories for an organization.  We literally pioneered employee communications! 

Over time, I noticed that my customers actually created my niche. After 10 years as Senior Producer & Director at The Travelers, my style of filmmaking and storytelling was unique…so I capitalized on my strengths and let word-of-mouth marketing do the rest.

Alina: It takes a wise man to see the market, Tom. Speaking of capitalizing, how might young filmmakers and entrepreneurs learn from your experience behind the lens? What is the recipe for a great film?

Director Tom: Here are the main ingredients when I am cooking up a film:

Story is King- Understand the story and emotional connections that drive the story.  
Outcome is Queen- Why is someone making a film?  What do you want your audience to do?  To think?  To feel? 
Authentic voices- I use very little narration and allow the people in the documentary to shine brightly with their ideas and emotions. 
Tripods are taboo!- Hand-held cinematography creates an engaging and “in-the-moment” feel.
Compelling graphics- Eye-catching motion graphics capture the branding elements of an organization, as well as punctuating ideas.
Comfort Zone- Producing films is one of the most powerful things one can create.  Its impact is far-reaching.  People need to feel comfortable in front of the camera to enable their ideas effectively. 
Awe & Mystery- I have an insatiable appetite to understand the world around me…that helps me to discover what is possible in front of the camera, as well as behind the camera.

Alina: Thanks for sharing your recipe, Tom. I'll be honest- your title as "Corporate Documentary Filmmaker" still intrigues me. I guess this is because I don't associate business management with artistic enterprises like film. Running into the limitations of my own imagination on this one, I'd like to know what challenges or limitations you've confronted as an entrepreneur in this niche? What are the two greatest challenges so far?

Director Tom: Two things.

1. Getting businesses to recognize the power of their own story.  We swim in stories all day long, but sometimes getting organizations to capitalize on their authentic brand with film stories is challenging.

2. Great films require great talent.  I see poorly made films from organizations that do not inspire action or engage the audience...in fact, it’s hurting their brand.  Hire talented people to do the best job possible.

Alina: On the brighter side, can you share any really cool success stories- moments when vision, strategy, art, and enterprise combined seamlessly to form the best possible product or outcome?

Director Tom: Yes!  I am producing and directing two national films for the public education system throughout the country.  The films target high school teens to help change their attitude towards people with a medical condition.

After filming for two days with one of the “heroes” of the film, I discovered a week later that this person felt that appearing in the film was the most positive and life-turning experience so far in their life.  Wow!

Alina: Wow, indeed! So in the process of creating your product (i.e. a film), you actually something very positive in addition to this product- namely, a positive social outcome. A life-chaging experience for an individual. Let's chase this line of thought a bit. Have you created any communities of meaning during your tenure as a film entrepreneur?

Director Tom: I co-created Spiral Story with the CEO of DeSai Learning, Jatin DeSai.  DeSai Learning specializes in “creating living organizations.”

Spiral Story is an integrated marketing, communications and storytelling service for individuals and organizations seeking to enhance learning and achieving personal bests. We decided to create a new language to create a new culture of learning.  Spiral Story features “Spiral Zoomers” or leading-edge thinkers who challenge our current systems of thought…they inspire us to open our eyes and see the world from a different perspective.

Spiral Story is the continuation of my desire to integrate spirituality and business for organizations.   I am always seeking effective ways to communicate and inspire people to action.  Employees everywhere are overloaded with data so it’s time to bring storytelling and film stories to organizations!

Alina: This interview is making me smile from ear-to-ear. It's wonderful to hear how you combine work, play, art, spirituality, vision, and love, rather than shuttling between the compartmentalized sections of your life. On a less exciting note, any advice on good softwate? What software helps you most?

Director Tom: Authenticity!

Honestly…all things Apple.  I have production teams responsible for the shows; AVID, Final Cut Pro and After Effects are the tools we use.

Alina: Good to know. What is your greatest personal accomplishment?

Director Tom: “The Men Who Brought the Dawn” is the story about the two atomic missions to Japan.  It is a one-hour, world-wide documentary I co-produced and features the surviving airmen who flew those missions. A shorter version of the film featuring the segment on the Enola Gay flight is now part of the permanent collection in The Smithsonian Institution.

Alina: That's incredible! And I love the raw, historical, human nature of the topic. Any personal mantras, mottos, or inspirations that inspire you or keep you going?

Director Tom: Deepak Chopra has deeply influenced me over the past 10 years.  I love this quote from Deepak…I try to be mindful of its meaning every day:

“You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to an infinity of choices.”

Alina: What would you tell a young entrepreneur who is having a hard time finding an outlet for his vision? Can you provide a list?

Director Tom: Brand yourself!  Ask yourself:  “How am I differentiating myself from the hundreds of others who do the same thing I do?”  There are several great books on personal branding.  The one I enjoyed the most and recommend is “Pop: Stand Out in Any Crowd” by Sam Horn.

Sit silently.  Find the time to sit quietly to “create your day.”  Ask the tough questions very few seem to ask:  Why am I here?  What do I want?  Who am I serving?  You will get the answers you are seeking by asking.

Alina: Thank you so much for your time, creativity, generosity, and inspiration, Tom! If you've enjoyed this interview, here are a few more butterflies to chase, follow, or ponderize:

• Tom's blog
• Tom's blog at zaadz.com, where you can learn more about Jihari windows and other cool stuff.
• Tom's bookmarks, fascinating links and stories.
• Check out a few Stories In Motion.
  
• Learn more about Tom's business, Spiral Story, and its philosophy.
  
• Daniel Pink's Zoomer at Spiral Story.
• Join the Spiral Community at Spiral Story.