Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Pellegrini.
Daniel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’d always wanted to make films, as far back as I can remember. I knew of nothing else, except maybe marine biology, which every kid wants to do. I went to film school, did my last semester in L.A., got a job for a movie producer. It was a hard job to get. Out of 100 college seniors in the co-op, I think only one other person got a job.
So I was a movie producer’s assistant for almost two years and it was miserable. I was too young and green. It was baptism by fire, and there was a lot of fire. The stress was unbearable and added to that my Crohn’s Disease was flaring up. In the spring of ’99, I was hospitalized, had a major surgery, moved back to Boston and swore off films forever.
After a summer back in Boston working in the restaurant industry, it was time to find a real job. I needed health insurance. I had no clue what to do. A lot of my friends were computer programmers and developers. They had 9-5 jobs. I was jealous. I tried finding work as a reporter. Evidently, my portfolio of college newspaper film reviews did not impress anyone.
I went to a recruiter and they told me I was qualified for one thing: being an assistant. So they found me a job as the assistant to the owner of a boutique ad agency in Concord, Mass. I didn’t want to be an assistant–ever again–but I liked the guy, so I took the job.
For 5 years I was an “admin assistant”–far too long for most young people, certainly by today’s standards. But I did my time and absorbed as much as I could. Eventually, the owner moved me into his video department. I started editing videos. I started writing. I was, in effect, making little commercial films, autonomously. I learned, and failed, and failed, and learned.
I dealt with heavy personal issues, such as multiple Crohn’s Disease flare-ups and subsequently a severe addiction to painkillers. (I’ve been sober and in recovery since 2013). Now, 18 years later, I’ve just left that agency and moved to a new company to continue my journey.
My title is Content Creative Director, a role that requires both my writing and video editing skills. I thought I would have to focus on one, but as the media landscape shifts, agility and versatility have become assets. If there’s a moral (or morals) to this story, I suppose one would be to pay your dues. A lot of people today feel they’re above that sort of thing, but the humility one gains is key.
Also, don’t feel confined to a certain job description. If you do something well, try it. If people respond, and if you can make a buck off it, then keep doing it. You can make yourself whoever you want to be.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been economic dips. Post-9/11, and then during the 2008 recession. For me, the struggles have been personal. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease during college, so my professional life has been spotted with relapses and hospitalizations and surgeries. I could never get my arms around the disease and get some good remission time.
I also didn’t take good care of myself. I smoked and did drugs. Then, from 2012-2013, both of those afflictions came to a head. I had most of my colon removed in 2012, and then the following year got sober (through AA).
Those were by far the two biggest challenges of my life, but overcoming them were also two of my greatest achievements, and the empowerment and confidence I gained has carried over to my work and other aspects of my life.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Content Creative Director – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a content creative director. Content, in the media sense, is kind of a new term, and it has varying meanings for different people. In my realm it means anything that is broadcast on a media channel, paid or unpaid.
It also includes internal video materials, like pitch videos or concept videos or anything that’s used to tell a brand story and evoke that particular mood. It’s a powerful medium.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’d like to continue to grow with emerging media while making sure that, no matter the format, the basic essence of storytelling is preserved. Personally, my dream is to write a novel that is sold in supermarkets.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.extrahotfudge.com
- Email: dannypelham123@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thegr8terfool
- Other: www.thegreaterfoolspeaks.com
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