In this episode of The Words We’ve Heard, host Marbree Sullivan sits down with Eric Jewett, whose story proves that persistence, curiosity, and a bit of luck can take you places you never imagined.

Raised in a small New England town where he dreamt of glory on the ski slopes, Eric was a teenager when he first stepped into a cinema. By the time he finished college, his snowy dreams were replaced by the magic of film. Through a lifetime of diligence, learning, and, playing to his strengths, he built a Hollywood career that put him on set with actors and directors at the top of their game.

Now a university professor, Eric reflects on the importance of collaboration, embracing humility, and passing hard-earned wisdom on to the next generation of storytellers.

🎧 Key Moments in the Episode

• [00:01:29] – Growing Up in Ipswich: A Small Town with Deep Roots
  
• [00:06:05] – Learning Life Skills from a Grandfather’s Workshop
  
• [00:12:00] – Dreams of the Olympics and the Pull of Ski Racing
  
• [00:18:00] – A Film Class That Changed Everything
  
• [00:23:00] – A Hundred Letters, One Call, and an Unexpected Break in Hollywood
  
• [00:30:00] – Learning Production on Return of the Jedi
  
  
• [00:40:00] – Directing Episodes of Party of Five and Weeds
  
  
• [00:46:13] – Balancing Family Life with the Demands of Film Work
  
• [00:50:56] – Teaching the Next Generation and the Power of Saying “Yes, And”
  
• [00:54:04] – Final Reflections: Stop Hating Each Other, Start Collaborating
  

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