A Touch of the Madness: How to Be More Innovative in Work and Life . . . by Being a Little Crazy

Legendary movie producer Larry Kasanoff knows firsthand that massive success requires taking big risks—it paid off for him with blockbusters Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Dirty Dancing, and other feature films.

Now, he’s sharing behind-the-scenes stories and hard-won wisdom to help creatives thrive in any industry.

Larry will be the first to tell you that excelling in any creative field requires taking big risks. It means embracing your crazy side: the most unique, boldest, and bravest part of you, and your greatest asset when it comes to creating something truly original.

In A Touch of the Madness, Larry uses firsthand memories from working on some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Platoon, True Lies, Dirty Dancing, and the Mortal Kombat film series, to show you the three principles that form the foundation of a thriving career in any industry:

Create a great idea that will excite your audience

Ask as many times (and as many people) as it takes to get a “yes”

Play while you work—don’t forget to have fun

Companies and organizations tend to be comfortable with the tried and true. But customers are attracted to what’s new, different, and better. To be innovative, you have to be a little crazy. A Touch of the Madness will help you embrace your wildest creative impulses and live your dreams—without anyone holding you back.

Lawrence Kasanoff makes movies (Platoon, Terminator 2, True Lies, Mortal Kombat), animated movies (Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out), and theme park rides (Marvel Superheroes 4D, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman). In terms of innovation, he has worked on films and rides that include the first hit movie made from a video game, the first movie to extensively use morphing, the first 3D steadicam (moving camera) shot, the first EDM (electronic dance music) platinum album, and many more.