Passion Starts Movies. Professionalism Finishes Them. The STORYSMART® Way - September 2026
Published about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,
With Labor Day nearly upon us, I've been thinking about work, specifically the difference between doing something as an amateur and doing it professionally.
This edition digs into that distinction, along with a few other questions I can't stop turning over: who really owns a story once it's told, what declassified history can teach a screenwriter, and how a century-old radio show built an entertainment empire one performance at a time.
Thank you for being part of our STORYSMART® community.
Ron
1. Feature Article
Filmmaking FOR ALL® - Passion Start Movies. Professionalism Finishes Them.
What's the difference between an amateur filmmaker and professional filmmaker?
St. Louis, MO September 1, 2026 - There's a real difference between an amateur and a professional.
I don't think we talk about it enough.
That belief has stayed consistent with every hat I've worn throughout my career — journalist, C-suite PR guy for a baseball team, registered lobbyist, public servant, media entrepreneur, small business owner. I'm even a lawyer who has never formally practiced law.
With Labor Day approaching, and my business in the middle of a big transformation, I've been thinking about what all those roles taught me, and why professionalism has been the one constant running through them.
I founded my business in 2018 to provide professional storytelling.
In a world where more media gets made by the masses than by mass media, excellence is what makes something stand out. And in the context of telling a story, if you demand excellence, you need professional storytelling.
I believe a professional storyteller like Steven Spielberg, Reese Witherspoon, or Margaret Atwood would tell your story better than you'd tell it yourself.
Hands down. No contest.
My belief then, and even more so now, is that professional storytelling beats amateur storytelling 99 times out of 100.
I know that's a provocative claim, but I believe it.
It might be more lopsided than that — 9,999 out of 10,000, maybe higher.
Cinderella stories of amateur storytellers making a Final Four run are wonderful to imagine, but don't bet on it.
Professional storytelling wins, consistently. It's the sports metaphor equivalent of a dynasty for a reason.
Now, before you fire off an angry email, let me define what I mean by professional.
STORYSMART® Media Lens - The Grand Ole Opry is More Than a Show
The Grand Ole Opry Is More Than a Show.
What filmmakers can learn from a century-old media property that turned one live broadcast into a family entertainment ecosystem.
I simply thought we were going to a concert, not a case study in family entertainment.
We were in Nashville for a family trip built around soccer, sightseeing and a few memorable entertainment experiences.
Visiting the Grand Ole Opry felt like one of those things we should do while we were there. I expected good music, rich history, and talented performers.
I didn’t expect a master class in media, intellectual property and show business.
6. Want to Learn More about the STORYSMART® Framework?
Hollywood Insiders Know the Playbook. Now You Can Too.
7. Archive of Newsletters
About Our STORYSMART® Perspective
We approach storytelling and filmmaking as a long-term, rights-first business rather than a project-by-project creative exercise. Our focus is on understanding how stories create value over time through ownership, disciplined development, and thoughtful risk management.
The ideas shared here are intended to contribute to a broader conversation about sustainable, independent media, not to promote specific projects or investment opportunities.
About Ron Watermon
Learn More About Ron Watermon @ronwatermon.com & storysmart.net
Ron Watermon is a creator, builder, filmmaker, media entrepreneur and the founder of STORYSMART. Ron writes about professional storytelling, media entrepreneurship, filmmaking, and the business of turning stories into a valuable assets.
Ron is the author of STORYSMART Storytelling for ALL and is currently building STORYSMART STUDIOS, an independent media company dedicated to developing, producing, and owning profitable enduring original media properties.
