51ĀŅĀ×

Meghan Malone, BSJ ā€™14, considers herself a storyteller, so getting the chance to tell a story about her favorite orange cat felt like a dream come true.

Malone originally joined the crew of ā€œThe Garfield Movieā€ as a general production assistant, tasking with running errands and supporting the needs of the story and art departments. In the last five years, she rose to become the filmā€™s production supervisor, then production coordinator, and finally production manager, where she worked directly with the producer, director and department heads to make sure everything was running smoothly and on time.

Working in the film industry was a long and winding road for Malone, and it all started at 51ĀŅĀ×. What originally drew Malone to OHIO was the campus: ā€œIt was just very beautiful, it looked so picturesque and what I imagined a college campus to beā€”the nature, the beautiful red brick everywhere,ā€ she recalls. ā€œIt was just very scholarly.ā€

Journalism was a natural choice for her major, but she expanded her scope to dabble in film and criticism courses. Watching films in class and seeing the multitudinous names in the credits made her realize just how many individuals go into the making of a single production and sparked her interest in becoming one of them.

ā€œThat really jump-started my realization that not only was journalism a viable career, but film was also a viable career,ā€ Malone says. ā€œThere are people behind these movies, and every single person has a role, and I want to know more about that.ā€ 

Malone has worked in the film industry for nearly 10 years now, and she has learned the value of taking experience where she can get itā€”even in roles that might not appeal to her at first.

ā€œI like to put my best foot forward with anything,ā€ she explains. ā€œIt might not be exactly what I want to do at that point in time, but Iā€™m going to do it with purpose and Iā€™m here for a reason. I think [OHIO] was really [key to] instilling that sense of purpose and also just striving to do your best.ā€

Maloneā€™s hard work landed her a job working with one of her favorite childhood characters. By utilizing her strong network of friends and colleagues, Malone learned about the interview that would secure her role working on ā€œThe Garfield Movie.ā€ To prepare, she dug up her old Garfield merchandise, including Garfield pajamas and a Christmas-themed Pooky (the catā€™s beloved teddy bear).

ā€œIt was just a dream for a cat fan and for a Garfield fan,ā€ she says.

Watching the credits roll on ā€œThe Garfield Movieā€ was a full-circle moment, as Malone got to see her own name written on the big screen, just as sheā€™d seen so many others displayed during her film courses. ā€œIt was really surreal,ā€ she says.

Malone hopes to continue working on animated features, helping create stories that evoke the same sense of wonder, fun, magic and joy that she remembers having while watching movies as a kid.

For current students and recent grads wondering how to best pursue their passions, Malone has some key advice: Be persistent in your optimism, build authentic relationships with the people who are willing to dream with you, and take everything as a lesson.

ā€œWhat's for you won't pass you by,ā€ she adds. ā€œPut in the effort to get where you want to be. Just don't give up on your dreams before they happen."

Main image: Meghan Malone, BSJ '14 (third from left), poses with colleagues from "The Garfield Movie" and Jim Davis, creator of the Garfield comics (center, blue shirt). Photo courtesy Meghan Malone, BSJ '14