Not all law students go on to practice law. During this episode, we host Brian Koppelman, who took his legal training in a totally different direction. He is the writer, director, producer, and showrunner behind some of pop culture’s most enduring works, including Oceans 13, Rounders, and the hit series Billions. Brian is a podcast host and a Fordham Law graduate who cites his legal experience as incredible fodder for the characters and stories appearing in his film and television work. During this conversation, he shares his perspective on the intrinsic value of legal studies, even for those with no intention to pursue a career in the field. Brian offers an overview of his multifaceted journey to the career he has today, including the process of learning to write for film and the aspects of human nature he finds most fascinating. We touch on abuses of power and the responsibility of the financial sector, before diving into the idea of risk-taking and how it translates in our lives. In closing, Brian encourages listeners to find a career that allows them to work from the part of themselves where they feel most alive. Join us today for something different!
Key Points From This Episode:
•An introduction to today’s guest, writer, director, and Fordham Law graduate, Brian Koppelman.
•Brian’s experience at Fordham Law and the interactions he had with students there.
•Why he doesn’t consider his time in law school a blip.
•How his experience with ADHD affected his success in the classroom.
•The decision to leave record production to the film industry.
•Why he chose to complete his legal studies even though he knew he wouldn’t use it.
•How Professor Abraham Abramovsky influenced the character of Petrovsky in Rounders.
•Why Brian recommends studying law if you have the opportunity to do so.
•Learning to write for film.
•The areas of law that Brian was most interested in.
•How he became interested in the area of writing about success journeys.
•What motivates success, and how money leads to power and influence.
•Abuses of power and the responsibility of the financial sector.
•Brian’s relationship with risk-taking and how he defines it.
•What industry Brian would have entered if he hadn’t become a writer.
•His advice to find something that allows you to work from the part of you that makes you feel most alive.
•His upcoming work, the final season of Billions.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: