Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self [Paperback]

DeVon Franklin (Author), Tim Vandehey (Contributor)

Book Description

Release date: June 5, 2012

STRAIGHT FROM HOLLYWOOD comes a dynamic business model for building a thriving career without compromising your faith. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, shares how being bold about his Christian faith while being driven and ambitious has actually worked in his favor to help him excel in a high-profile, fast-paced, competitive industry.

You are the movie. Produced by Faith parallels each step of the Hollywood filmmaking process with the faith-making process God uses to turn your career into a success. You will discover that it is possible to be both wildly successful and completely committed to God—and that you will be even more successful when you place your faith at the center of your career. You can unleash the power of your faith as your greatest professional advantage and use the compass of God’s Word to guide you to your true passion and purpose in life. In this informative, inspiring book, DeVon reveals the secrets to maintaining your faith while advancing in your career. Here he shows you:

* How to discover The Big Idea for your life

* How to take your career to the next level

* How to recognize the signs God sends you that indicate when it’s time to movein a new direction

* How to stand firm on your Christian principles without compromise

* How to work with people who don’t understand your beliefs

* How to choose a profession, industry, or company that is in tune with your purpose

DeVon says, “I know from my own experiences that if you will put your career in God’s hands and trust Him, you can’t account for all the ways He will bless you. When you step out in faith, He will open doors and bring you opportunities that will surpass even your wildest expectations. . . . If I have learned anything, it’s this: To get where you want to go, you’ve first got to become the person God wants you to be.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In the fifteen years I’ve known DeVon, he’s lived his life the same way he makes his movies: with commitment, humility, and a work ethic that demands respect. I’m honored to have been a part of his journey from stellar intern to studio vice president—his story is one to be shared with anyone chasing a dream." (Will Smith)

“DeVon Franklin is a remarkable man of infectious enthusiasm and a sterling example that one can navigate through the complexities of life, even the verisimilitude of Hollywood, with clarity, purpose, and integrity.” (Angela Bassett)

“Holding on to one’s faith while pursuing a dream, especially in the entertainment business, is no small feat. DeVon demonstrates this possibility beautifully and without compromise. The themes of DeVon’s book are great examples of how to pursue any career, not just within the movie business, and stay true to God.” (Tyler Perry)

"After reading DeVon Franklin's book, Produced by Faith, I thought it would have been a great guide for my early life, but it's never too late for a book like this. Produced by Faith is a wonderful gift from an insightful, inspiring man." (Antwone Fisher)

“It takes faith to step out from obscurity into the glaring lights of Hollywood particularly as a man of faith. Not only does DeVon Franklin detail his astonishing ascension to the top of his craft, he shares how he did it to the glory of God and to the delight of blockbuster audiences around the globe. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to strike that quintessential balance between faith and function. Hollywood, like life, is a walk of faith.” (Bishop T. D. Jakes)

“His book is designed to show readers how to honor their faith and still succeed in their careers. Franklin is doing just that in Hollywood.” (Mike Fleming, Deadline Hollywood)

About the Author

DeVon Franklin was recently promoted to vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, making him one of the youngest individuals in that position in the industry. In addition to his entertainment industry pursuits, DeVon is also a Christian minister and motivational speaker. He travels from Los Angeles to Oakland at least one weekend each month to preach at Wings of Love Maranatha Ministries, where he is an ordained elder.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; Reprint edition (June 5, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781451671964
• ISBN-13: 978-1451671964
• ASIN: 1451671962
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (179 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Industry
  • #5 in Books > Business & Investing > Business Life > Ethics
  • #92 in Books > Self-Help > Success

More About the Author

DeVon Franklin is a rarity: an African-American studio executive at the forefront of Hollywood's hit machine. He recently oversaw the summer blockbuster, The Karate Kid, starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. He has also worked on many films including The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith, Not Easily Broken produced by T. D. Jakes and Jumping the Broom starring Angela Bassett. He was formerly an executive at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and got his start as an intern for Will Smith and James Lassiter. In addition to his entertainment industry pursuits, DeVon is a preacher and motivational speaker. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California. He lives in Los Angeles.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid meditation on work and faith May 2, 2011

By Joe P.

Format:Hardcover

I was fortunate enough to get a pre-publication copy of this book through a friend in the media, and initially I was skeptical. I'm not a religious believer and this is a book steeped in the Christian faith of its author. Then I started reading it, and I was struck not only by Mr. Franklin's candor but his wisdom. He and his co-author, Mr. Vandahey, have done a marvelous job of weaving the story of a developing life into the metaphor of a film in the various stages of production and distribution; it's a brilliant literary conceit. But more than that, they have produced a warm, human, hopeful book about faith that also works for people who don't share the author's faith. This is a book that anyone with a career should read, because we all face the same questions Mr. Franklin has faced? How much of myself do I surrender to climb the ladder? Do I have to compromise my values to be a success? Can I dedicate myself to my work and still be a good person, or is selling out the only choice? Believe me, if DeVon Franklin has been able to walk the straight and narrow road in Hollywood, of all places, we can all do it. I am not a Christian, and I loved this book. I can't recommend it highly enough.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Put God in the Director's Chair of Your Career May 2, 2011

By Peggy Bowes VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Full disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book but was under no obligation to give it a favorable review. As a freelance writer, I receive a lot of books to review, and I was initially going to pass on this one due to a very busy schedule. I put it away in a stack of books, but I kept receiving signs that I should read it. I'm so glad I did because I couldn't put this book down.

DeVon Franklin has written many compelling reasons why placing your career in God's hands will actually give you a competitive edge in business. The book is well-organized and easy to read. Franklin parallels a typical career path with the making of a Hollywood movie. As he educates the reader on the fascinating process of filmmaking, he weaves in his personal faith journey and how it led to his success in an industry that does not exactly promote a Christian atmosphere. He also includes frequent Scripture references, showing how his faith is truly grounded in the Word of God.

Mr. Franklin had to overcome very difficult circumstances to achieve success. His father died when he was a young boy, and his mother raised him and his two brothers as a single mom who was on welfare at one point. It was during this time that DeVon turned to his church and the Word of God for comfort. He also found a type of therapy in watching movies, which led to his career in Hollywood.

Franklin never backs down on his faith, even to the point of not working on the Sabbath despite tremendous pressure to be available at all times. He views his work as serving God and his neighbor, even if it's as humble as copying, filing and answering the phone. He gently guides the reader to trust in God and to see that God wants you to be happy and successful in your career. Franklin also shows the reality of difficult circumstances and how faith and trust in God in times of difficulty can help you learn skills and lessons that will lead to later success.

Even though the book describes a Hollywood executive's career path, the advice can apply to people of all professions. Franklin quotes Martin Luther King, Jr. in a particularly relevant quote:

"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, `Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'"

I have already begun applying Mr. Franklin's advice to my own career and am reaping the benefits of viewing my work in writing as well as the humble and mundane duties of wife and mother as a vocation and part of God's plan.

I highly recommend this book!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Added to the list of Inspirational Classics April 29, 2011

By Natasha M. Dixon

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Very rarely does a book come along that can truly help give you direction for your life. The last book I read that seemed to do this was The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. Today I can add another book to the list of such greats. Produced By Faith: Enjoying Real Success Without Losing Your True Self by DeVon Franklin is a guide for living your life fully without compartmentalizing or compromising any aspect of yourself.

Produced By Faith parallels the steps of producing a film with the reader's life. It is divided into two sections, development and production. At first glance the table of contents seems impersonal: What's the Big Idea, Selling It, Writing the Script, Getting Notes, Development Hell, God's Budget and Production Schedule, It's All About Casting, and God's Green Light. However, these chapters do more than just tell you what goes into producing a movie. They guide you through the most important production you will ever be involved in, your life.

Produced By Faith is a very personal book that encourages the reader to review how they have been doing life. It gives practical steps to help you through the process. At the end of each chapter there is a list of questions that everyone should ask themselves at some point in their career; Making this more than just another stagnant book that goes on the shelf after its read. It has somewhat of a workbook or reference book quality, with a very conversational style. There is also a transparent quality to this book, because of the personal accounts of Mr. Franklin's experience that have been weaved throughout. He gives insight into his journey from intern to Vice President at Sony Pictures.

This book comes from a faith based perspective, but it is also a practical guide for those who may not be believers; going as far as to say it is a good beginner's manual for someone interested in producing alone. This is a book that should be handed out at airports, train stations, and bus stations to every bright eyed and bushy tailed artist coming to make it in Hollywood. At the same time it is a great read everyone, in any line of work, can enjoy and implement. When you finish reading this book you will have a renewed faith; faith in God, faith in yourself, and faith in the unlimited possibilities for your life.