Meet John Tatone | Founder, Actor, and Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Tatone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
When I look at risk, I look at it as a statistical outcome. On a good day, there is a 50% chance the risk works out and a 50% chance it doesn’t. Granted, there are days when the risk statistically outweighs the negative, such as at a 90%/10% chance of success; however, when it comes down to, say, a 90% percent chance the risk doesn’t work out and a 10% chance it does work out, then multiple factors come into play. What are the repercussions if I take on this risk, what would be the outcome if the risk works out, what would be the outcome if it doesn’t, what am I taking a risk on, and most importantly, will taking on this risk have a positive or negative impact on my team and my family and friends who trust me? When it comes down to those tough questions of whether the risk is worth it or not, it is essential to weigh out all the outcomes, think strategically and critically, do your home, seek guidance from trusted mentors or peers, and most importantly, trust God and go with your gut instinct. It’s easy to over-analyze, but it’s critical to think before you do, and when you act, act swiftly, then move on, and don’t look back on your decision, regardless of the outcome. If it works out, great! But if it doesn’t, take it as a learning lesson and move on; don’t live in the past. Look to the past to learn, live in the present, and work for the future.

For me, life is all about taking risks, and it has played a massive part in my life and career. From a young age, I have always been an entrepreneur with a taste for entertainment and theater. As a 7th grader, I started a thrifting business in high school, a motor business, and several other businesses in my first few years of college. However, when COVID-19 hit, I nearly lost it all and hit rock bottom; I could’ve settled for my position and allowed myself to fall into a deep depression. However, my family pushed me to get back up, and I was fortunate enough to have a loving support group to encourage me to push on. I went back to college; however, instead of playing it safe, getting internships, and setting myself up for a traditional 9-5 job after college, I took the risk and went a different route. I knew I wanted something more. I decided I could either place all my trust, hope, and dreams into someone who probably doesn’t even know me, toiling years away from my life for someone else, or I could take a leap and make it happen for myself and those I love. So, I did my homework, I listened to my gut as my mother always told me, and I took the risk to go after what I wanted, regardless of what others thought of me. I launched my own film production company while in college and went on to pursue a career in acting, directing, and producing in film. Now, almost a year and a half after college, I am ready to embark on two new separate business ventures. By next year, I will be operating three separate businesses all while pushing for a career in Hollywood. At the end of the day, you can live your life however you want. However, if you’re going to make something of yourself or pursue what you want out of your life, be it a career, a business, romance, or even reconciling with your loved ones, you must take risks. It’s all part of life, don’t waste it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
WLD Productions is a film production company that specializes in creating and providing a platform for low-budget, Oscar-worthy independent films. We believe in the artist’s passion and power, encouraging creatives to develop free from the restraints of studio interference. We also strive to provide a safe and creative space for our artists to flourish and be seen while remaining distinct from the rest of Hollywood. In sum, we don’t want to be another studio on the block; we want to be known as the studio with honor, built and run not as a corporation but as a community. I’ll tell you, though, it wasn’t easy and still isn’t. Running a business is like having a marriage and growing a family. There are going to be speedbumps, and there are going to be days when you feel you’re not seeing the fruits of your labor, but at the end of the day, Rome wasn’t built in a day; you got to work for it, and communicate with your teams. Things take time, and as long as you continue to work smart, stay true to yourself, and keep your eyes on the prize, it will eventually happen…and sooner or later, people will start believing in you too. Because of it, we got a lot of exciting stuff happening. Our first major short film, ‘Hey, Can I Get To Know You,’ releases this year and we have two television series in the works. outside of WLD Productions, I’m working on a few feature films and experiences as a Creative Producer and actor that are sure to inspire and aww. While I do have a few other business ventures brewing outside of film and themed entertainment, I want to leave you off here with something. For a long time, I found myself having my hands in too many hats simultaneously, convincing myself that I could do it all by myself, all at once. It doesn’t work that way, I promise you. The trick is to know what you want and where you want to be, then, when you figure that part out, become a generalist in your field but become a specialist in your domain, and get damn well good at that. Surround yourself with people smarter than you and focus on one venture or dream at a time. Once you get good at that, sure, branch out and try something new. But if you want to become successful and achieve your dreams, focus on one thing at a time. You’ll get to places much faster doing that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh gosh! I’m a big-themed entertainment and history nut with a bit of a thrill-seeker thrown in, so I would first take them to Disneyland and California Adventure for a few days. After snacking down on a whole bunch of churros and getting sick from all the junk food we shouldn’t bought, we would go visit my friend Thomas Ashman for a killer sword workout using his iconic Dragonslayer on the beaches in Santa Monica, with probably a wild adventure to who knows where thereafter. Then we’ll hit up my friend Carson Polish, an incredible actor in his own right, and we’ll all go up to the Big Bear Ski Resort for a few days of snowboarding and air time. Finally, to top it all off, we’ll head down to the beautiful historic ocean liner R.M.S. Queen Mary in Long Beach, walk its decks, admire its art deco design, live history, and dance the night away to live until dawn breaks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Foremost, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mother, father, and sister. They have always been there for me in my highs and in my lows, believing in me through thick and then, and when I’m down and considering throwing in the towel, they are all right there to lift me back up.

I also want to give a special shoutout to two of my friends, peers, and mentors, in particular, Presley Aronson over at PAE Studios and Thomas Ashman over at Ashman Athletics. Those two always have my back and have given me plentiful business and life advice to whom I’m eternally grateful, but most importantly, they showed me how to have grit as a business owner and entrepreneur, all while remaining true to who you are and your values.

A successful business is only possible with a team. With my incredible partners Brianne Dudra and Christopher McCormick over at WLD Productions, we completed some extraordinary work. We couldn’t have done half of what we achieved today without them. There is no I in team.

The same goes for all my friends, mentors, strangers, and loved ones who supported me. Without any of them, each one leaving their own impression on my life, I’d be nowhere.

Most important of all, I would be nothing without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to whom I place all trust and faith in his hands for now and forever.

Instagram: @john.tatone

Other: IMDb

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12855486/?ref_=nm_mv_close

Image Credits
Personal Photo – Brianne Dudra photo credit

Hey, Can I Get To Know You Poster – Presley Aronson poster credit

Acting Photo – Carson Polish left, Nemil Mudvari center

St. Louis Train Museum – Jake Land left, Adam Bezark center

WLD Team – Christopher McCormick left, Brianne Dudra center – Hannah Slavi photo credit

Directing Photo – Carson Polish center left, Christopher McCormick center right, Brianne Dudra far right – Ryan Gomez photo credit