Graze recalled a recent, impromptu “curiosity conversation” with an Uber driver that evolved into Grazer paying the driver to teach him the Russian martial art of systema. “It’s not easy, but I would recommend everyone do something like that,” Grazer said. “You’re supplementing the [film and television] pitches that you get with those conversations.”
Imagine Entertainment co-founder Brian Grazer at the 2022 Upfront Summit in Downtown L.A.
Image courtesy of the Upfront Summit
Grazer’s Hollywood connections have granted him the chance to meet with a who’s-who of experts in their respective fields, from the late science fiction writer Isaac Asimov to hip-hop legend Dr. Dre. He spoke keenly about his conversations with Elon Musk, who advised him while Imagine was producing the National Geographic sci-fi series “Mars,” and also reached out to the late Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard to broaden his hip-hop knowledge during the production of the Eminem-starring “8 Mile.”
“It does give you a better sense of detection as to whether an idea is an old idea, or a new idea, or an old idea that needs a new perspective or refresh,” Grazer said. “It helps you understand who is or isn’t full of s--- on a particular subject.”
Grazer co-founded Imagine with Ron Howard in 1985. The production company is reportedly in talks to sell a majority stake to London investment firm Centricus Asset Management, but continues to produce content at a rapid clip and recently landed two Academy Award nominations for the Andrew Garfield-starring “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
“I think that you have to believe that there’s a glow of goodness in the thing that you’re trying to make—that people are going to benefit, there’s a win-win in the equation,” Grazer said about the projects he chooses. “I’ve chosen to make movies that try to do that, to inspire people [and] empower them.”
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