Shine Your Light No Matter Where You Are:Writer/Producer Will Packer

 by Cyrus Webb

He has brought the world some of the most entertaining Box Office winners like STOMP THE YARD, THINK LIKE A MAN, THINK LIKE A MAN TOO, TAKERS, NO GOOD DEED,THE WEDDING RINGER, GIRL’S TRIP and 2019's LITTLE---and there's no sign that he's slowing down any time soon. Also this year he began a new partnership with OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, expanding on his brand beginning with a new television show called AMBITIONS. 

Will Packer has worked with some of the brightest stars in Hollywood, and in the process has made a name for himself as one of the "go-to" guys for quality projects that break stereotypes and records. "This is a challenging industry," he told me. "It's tough to get into, and tough to maintain a level of success once you are in. It's a lot of hard work."

The hard work has been paying off big for Packer so that critics and movie goers alike have responded favorably to his work on the screen. He says the response is a "true validation" for his dedication to the craft. "That's the kind of validation you hope for when you are working those long hours. You hope for that kind of validation, so it feels good when you get it."

When discussing how he has been able to make his mark in Hollywood but not been changed by the industry Packer says the key is that he makes time to "get out of the Hollywood bubble" and visit his home in Atlanta. By doing this he is also showing that you can work in Hollywood and not have to become 'Hollywood' in order to "make it."

Packer also makes the time to give back as much as possible, paying it forward for the next generation. "I take the opportunity to try to work with others who have shown that they have what it takes," he says. "You can't help everybody, but you can lead by example. I try to set an example of what it takes to be successful in this industry." For him the ingredients include "hard work, having good people around you and having a lot of faith."

His advice for anyone who wants to be successful in whatever they are doing? "You never know where you are going to end up. Whatever you are doing give it 110%. You can't just decide one day to start being great. You have to give 110% everyday, even if it's a job that you don't particularly love. When the opportunity arises you got to be ready for it. You have to be used to always working hard."