Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Schorr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ben, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

When playing the drinking game “Never Have I Ever,” one of my go-to’s was, “Never have I ever had a boss I didn’t like.” Just about every other person would have to take a drink, no matter who I happened to be playing with.

One former boss that jumps out to me is Matteo De Cosmo. You may not have known Matteo, but you almost certainly enjoyed something he helped create. He helped design and build the sets for Chappelle’s Show, Precious, The Affair, Luke Cage, Madame Secretary, Strangers with Candy, and more.

I worked for Matteo in the art department at Netflix on a super hero show called The Punisher. Matteo was hilarious: he did ridiculous Nosferato impressions, spoke Italian to the office dog, and never hesitated to be goofy. When work got intense, Matteo provided much needed levity.

Matteo also demonstrated character, de-escalating conflicts and wisely avoiding office politics. Once him and I broke up a physical fight that had started in the middle of the office. This was in the world of set design, and it cracks me up that the source of the two grown men’s conflict was a missing vase.

During the COVID pandemic in 2020, at just 52 years old, Matteo passed away. It’s still hard to believe someone with so much life in him is no longer with us. But I intend to carry the example he set with me for the rest of my life.

Ben, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a San Diego based illustrator and graphic designer. I work mostly digital but I’m happy to use traditional mediums when called for. Whether working on a portrait, lettering, logo, or more I want to deliver a final product to my clients that looks fun and inviting!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I worked on television and film sets during my early and mid 20s. Growing up, it was a pipe dream to be a part of that industry. So when I started to get opportunities I threw myself all in.

But one day after a few years in the industry I was lying on my couch between 16 hour work days and I realized I couldn’t think of the last time I had actually watched television myself. Not only that, but I didn’t want to watch television, and even felt a sense of regret at the time I had spent on it thus far. I still love television and film, just not the way I used to. And once I realized that I started feeling silly spending 60 or more hours a week to help create it.

Yet I worked in television for more than two years after this thought occurred to me. When one has worked in an industry for a while—especially a sought-after industry—and built up a network, it can be hard to pivot away from it. Even if one’s heart is not in it anymore. I had met and worked with so many wonderful, dedicated people it felt almost heretical to walk away from the industry.

There were other mental blocks to changing careers too. I often thought about MMA fighter Ronda Rousey’s emotional interview with Ellen DeGeneres after her first professional loss. Rousey had dominated her division before being brutally and handily knocked out by underdog Holly Holm. Rousey had identified as a champion for a long time. When it was taken from her she didn’t feel she knew who she was, saying, “What am I anymore if I’m not this?”

…my experience was WAY less consequential and dramatic in comparison. But I related to identifying as something for a long time—in my case an aspiring filmmaker—and having that feeling disappear. I also found myself thinking, “What am I anymore if I’m not this?”

Changing career paths was difficult: both getting over the mental blocks and the actual process of transitioning away. It’s been almost three years since I changed paths, and while I look back on my time working in television and film with gratitude, I still feel extraordinarily confident in my decision and relieved I chose to follow my gut.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I was profoundly moved by Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life by designer James Victore. It’s blunt, motivational, and a great antidote to creative hesitation.

One of my favorite excerpts: “Should you strive for excellence? Of course. Pay attention to the details? Yes. But never let ‘perfect’ stop progress. You know what’s better than perfect? Done. Done is better than perfect.”

I also recently finished Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. In it, Gladwell analyzes extraordinarily successful people and groups, like Bill Gates and The Beatles. Without discrediting their innate talent, Gladwell proves success is much more circumstance and practice-based than many believe. The major takeaway for my creative career is to maximize time and repetition spent on developing a craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: benschorr.com
• Instagram: @benschorrcreative