Ron Watermon

Hi Reader, There’s a flawed instinct on both ends of the storytelling spectrum. Some people approach storytelling purely for themselves—protect, control, extract. Others swing the opposite direction—give it away, defer, hope it works out. Both approaches are flawed. Selfish is short-sighted. Selflessness is unsustainable. I've learned this the hard way. The right approach is to align the work in a collaborative, equitable way that creates value for everyone involved. That includes the team of...

Hi Reader, What does an Oscar-winning documentary short, a Major League Baseball team's TV show, the TikTok collaboration with Tubi, and Jack Nicholson’s Batman deal all have in common? They all reveal the same thing: those who understand the value of story, and are smart about structuring around it, are the ones who win. None of these stories are accidents. They’re signals. This month’s edition connects those dots and shows us that the real leverage in professional storytelling isn’t just...

Hi Reader, We blinked and it’s March. Baseball is back. March Madness is almost here. And while I’m hoping for strong tournament runs from SLU and Mizzou, most of my attention lately has been elsewhere — finishing the film I’m directing and continuing to lay bricks behind the scenes on STORYSMART® Studios. There’s a quiet shift happening in media right now. Incentives are moving projects across state lines. Consolidation is reshaping control. Theatrical economics are evolving. Ownership...

Hi Reader, This month's edition focuses on how stories create value when ownership, alignment, and incentives are designed to reward the creative team behind them. Our Feature looks at THE RIP as a lesson in shared upside, exploring how trust, structure, and long-term thinking determine who benefits when a story succeeds. Our Media Lens examines what happens when public media stops functioning as civic infrastructure, and why that failure creates downstream consequences for creators and...

Hi Reader, As a new year begins, I find myself taking stock. Of what was accomplished. Of what was lost. And what we're carrying forward with intention. This edition of The STORYSMART® Way reflects that mindset. Our feature explores how moments of loss can reset priorities. Our Media Lens examines the power and responsibility of those who shape industry narratives from the inside. Our recent Storytelling for ALL™ articles explore meaning, memory, and shared sacrifice. I’m grateful you’re...

Hi Reader, As we close out the year, I’ve been thinking a lot about what gives storytellers power. Not budgets. Not technology. Not even access. It’s the discipline to shape a story before anything is filmed, published, or shared. This month’s edition leans into that idea. We look at why development is the new power position in filmmaking, and how taking control early is the best way to protect the integrity of true stories and make the most of them. I am grateful you have chosen to be part...

Hi Reader, I'll warn you that I might upset some with my feature article in this edition of our newsletter. I'm violating the "stay out of politics" rule I've followed since launching my business, but all rules have exceptions. Extraordinary circumstances demand that I speak out. I'm not okay with what is happening and you shouldn't be either. While I've never hid my beliefs which are deeply rooted in my moral upbringing, I don't typically share them on an unsolicited basis. I share them...

Welcome to The STORYSMART® Way Hi Reader, Welcome to the very first edition of our email newsletter. You're receiving this because you opted in. If at any point you decide this isn't for you, you'll always find an unsubscribe button at the bottom my emails. No hard feelings. That said, I hope you'll stick around. Here's what to expect if you stick around: I'll send you a newsletter at least once a month, and never more than twice. I want this to be a sustainable rhythm for both of us. I want...