Thursday, July 14, 2011

Even Laurence Olivier couldn't do it alone

If you asked critics and fans who the greatest actor of the 20th century was, it would be very likely that Laurence Olivier would be first on the list. Remeber I said the greatest actor, not necessarily the biggest movie star. When he was young Olivier made women's hearts flutter in Wuthering Heights. He won an Oscar for Hamlet in 1948, but also redefined film with his groundbreaking Henry V, not to mention Richard III. Later he in life, he made an indelible impression as the evil Nazi dentist Szell in Marathon Man, and as the romantic old man in "A Little Romance." These are all great films.

Yesterday Turner Classic movies devoted their afternoon to a series of films Olivier made in the 30s and 40s which were less than stellar. They did show his Richard III, but also included potboilers like "Westward Passage" and the Divorce of Lady X. I wouldn't recommend seeing them if you haven't already, but take my word for it that even Olivier can't look good as a Russian inventor falling for an Englishwoman. I'm sure Olivier brought the same talent to those films as he did to Wuthering Heights; why are these films so bad?

Because even the great Olivier couldn't succeed alone. He needed talented writers, directors, co-stars, and designers to show case his genius. Without a talented team, even the greatest actors look mediocre.

So when you're creating your content always find the best available people for your team. They will spur you to greater heights, and together you might create something extraordinary.