Daily Inspiration: Meet Michael Terry | Director, Filmmaker & Visual Artist

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Terry.

Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
While growing up in Southern California, I was extremely fortunate to have a close friend whose father was one of the top television directors in Hollywood. He directed all the hit television shows of the day, such as Dynasty, Hotel, Love Boat, Fantasy Island and many more. On my days off from school he would always invite me to spend the day on set and watch him work. I got to sit in his Director’s chair and see how a tv show is really made. I was fascinated by the process and thrilled to have the opportunity to personally meet my favorite actors, chat with them during lunch, and ask them tons of questions. As a kid this was super cool; not only was this a once in a lifetime opportunity that very few people have but it was a very important learning opportunity for me to observe how celebrities conduct themselves around other professionals and how they prepare for their craft.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
They say nothing worthwhile in life is ever easy and that’s always been the story of my life. You really have to embrace the struggle and learn to enjoy it. This is how growth happens and I believe doing the hard things in life produces a larger reward. When the road gets rough, I know that at the end of the journey something substantial is waiting for me. And, if things start to get really unbearable, I dig my heels in deeper because I know this is the place where most people turn around and retreat; making me even more determined to keep moving forward and never quit.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a director, filmmaker and visual artist. What separates me most from others is that I’m never satisfied or focused on a final destination or specific outcome. Whenever I complete a job, I always try to find the ‘lesson’ in what I did and examine how I can make things better next time. Staying curious and open to constantly learning new things is how I approach my art/work as well as my life.

How do you think about happiness?
Working hard makes me happy because I feel joy in the process of completing a hard day’s work. It’s a blessing to be able to wake up and work each day. I never take that for granted. I’m extremely grateful for every opportunity I receive because I know my cherished clients have placed their trust in me and are counting on me to do a great job. My goal is to always exceed everyone’s expectations and bring pure joy to the faces of my clients. This is always my ‘why’ for doing everything. Sometimes the greatest gifts in life are emotions that cannot be expressed with words.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mtdirects.com
• Instagram: 1Michaelterry