Graduate Credits St. John’s Roots for Successful
Career
Even before Steven Laux ‘94SVC attended his first class at St.
John’s University, he was well on the way to shaping his future.
Executive Vice President at The FORT Group, a marketing
and production company based in northern New Jersey, Steven always
knew he would work in the media. “I was a TV kid. I loved movies
and music, and wanted to parlay that into a career,” he said.
Steven has been with The FORT Group since 1994. Today, he is not
only actively involved in all the production work done there; he is
also responsible for molding the company’s creative vision —
bridging the gaps between clients and staff.
Creativity and Collaboration
As a high school senior, Steven chose to attend St. John’s
because he knew freshmen receive immediate access to the
University’s ultra modern
Television Center. Thanks to timely advice from a guidance
counselor, he had obtained a job there assisting professors with
their classes, and was working before his first college semester
began. He also became an active member of the
Television Club.
“It was exciting to start working (with the equipment) while
still learning the theory,” Steven said. “I’m a trial-by-fire kind
of guy. I wanted to get my hands on the equipment, figure it out
and start applying my creative vision.”
At the time, Television Club members produced a weekly
television show called Redmen Magazine (now known as
Eye
of the Storm), shown internally at St. John’s, and on
public access television for several years. Steven immediately
immersed himself in all aspects of its production. “It happened at
the right time for me as a person, having come right out of high
school. Whatever your label might’ve been in high school (at TV
Club), you had a clean slate. Everyone was very welcoming.”
Whether working on the show, creating his own student projects
or collaborating with others, Steven felt his time at TV Club was
an excellent primer for his future career. “If you know anything
about this industry, it’s about collaboration. Even the Steven
Spielbergs of the world have a team that helps bring their vision
to life.”
Elected President of the TV Club in his senior year, Steven
learned more invaluable lessons. “People have told me I was an old
soul to begin with,” and there he was faced with navigating
disparate personalities all working toward a common goal. “It
taught me about leadership, not just in general terms, but how to
moderate and mediate conflict.
“Whether you’re in the corporate world or on the set of a
television show, you have so many different personalities – whether
they’re creative, administrative or senior executives, you have to
know how to play nice in the sandbox, because at the end of the day
it’s about getting something done. You have a goal to achieve and
you have to work with these people.”
Growth and Change
Steven advises students to obtain a good internship, something
which led him to the job he now has. “There’s no substitute for
real-world experience,” he said. “I’m proof that an internship
works, but it really is about what you make of it.” Getting an
internship at a smaller company often gives students more
opportunities for practical experience and greater responsibility,
he added.
As the company has grown, Steven’s responsibilities have evolved
considerably. “We started as a production company and we’ve evolved
into a multi-media service provider for our clients.” Steven
started out producing, writing and shooting material, and was
eventually assigned to manage a team of producers. In his current
role as EVP, his focus is on nearly every aspect of the
company.
“It’s interesting how things change,” he observed. “But I’m
still who I am, so it’s a question of how do I contribute? How do I
take all that experience, and help our clients realize their goals?
That’s what’s most important. Without them, I don’t have a
job.”
FORT’s previous clients include Subway, Smart Balance and Golf
Digest, among others. Recently, Steven was directing a commercial
for Marvin
Windows and Doors, overseeing all the elements that go into the
final product, including lighting, set design, shot composition and
wardrobe, while still being available to the client to hear their
concerns and implement their changes.
He stressed that on the day of an event he prefers to leave
nothing to chance, whether that means creating extensive
storyboards for his shots, lining up key support personnel, or
using the best possible equipment.
“When a client has committed to spending marketing dollars, they
are essentially turning it over to us. Then we have the opportunity
to take our intellectual property, experience and unique ideas and
turn it into something that enacts change. I like change, so I like
to change situations for our clients. I like to know that when that
spot ran it moved the needle for them.”
Steven also serves as Show Runner/Executive Producer for the
nationally syndicated television show HouseSmarts, and credits
his experience working on Redmen Magazine as invaluable to
its smooth operation.
What keeps Steven engaged, he said, is that his business is in a
constant state of change. “I know that tomorrow is going to be
different from today, and that’s what keeps me interested.”
St. John’s is never far from Steven’s mind. His wife Brenda is
also a St. John’s alumna and former member of the TV Club, and he
maintains close ties with his friends from there. “(St. John’s) is
always on the periphery – maybe because I was so involved for four
years it’s stayed with me.”