Terrell Sandefur, Social Guru

1. Where did you grow up? Macon
2. How did that influence you? Like many kids, my mission was to get the heck out of my hometown and see the world. I left Macon in search of a bigger life. Twenty years later, I returned home with a wife, two kids, some great experience and the drive to make Macon a town I’d like to live in. I think I’ve made a pretty good start.
3. What is your favorite thing to do in Macon? Macon Film Festival, arts & cultural events, local restaurants.
4. What is one thing that people would not see at first glance? I attempt to make Macon a better place to live for us all.
5. What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why? Promoting the Macon Film Festival to the world is certainly one of my most significant accomplishments. I believe in it completely. It’s the one thing we have going that puts Macon “on the map” so to speak. The ultimate goal of the festival is to attract filmmakers to film movies here. Macon really pops on the big screen...when other filmmakers see it, they will come. I have no doubt. Bottom-line: filmmaking is economic development. If we can land major productions, it’s pay dirt for MANY.
6. Do you have a hidden talent? Yes, but I’m not sure I want to go on the record with it as it may be illegal in most states.
7. What movie would best describe you? "Crash"
8. What do you do best? Meet people. Connect people. Promote things.
9. Who in your life has most influenced you? My parents, grandmother, wife, children, friends and Andy Warhol.
10. Tell me about a challenge that you overcame. On the first day of my Journalism class, the professor said the star student would earn a spot writing for the college newspaper. Whatever, I had no interest in becoming a journalist; it was an elective that fit into my schedule. Then, unprovoked, she called me out in front of the entire class saying, “Models & fraternity boys don’t make good journalists” and added that her class was for “serious writers.” She suggested I drop her class, as I wouldn’t make it to the end of the semester. That was it. I made it my mission to prove her wrong. At the end of the semester, I wrote my first of many columns for the college newspaper … photo and byline attached! Don’t ever doubt me. I’ll make you regret it.
11. What do you do for fun in your free time? I love 80s alternative rock music and I enjoy going to concerts.
12. How do you define success? My field is publicity and communication. Success is defined by the size of the proverbial “Roledex.” It’s what you know and how many people you know you can tell it to. And I know a lot of people. On a recent trip to do an interview on Atlanta Television, the producer of the TV show introduced me to the staff as “Mr. Macon.” Being known in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Boston, NYC, etc. as the guy who promotes Macon, Georgia…. that is success to me.
13. Who do you most admire? David Bowie. People who march to the beat of their own drum.
14. Did you move around a lot? I’ve lived in Columbus, Macon, Valdosta, Atlanta, Alexandria Virginia & Washington, DC. I wouldn’t say that is a lot.
15. Are there any issues you feel passionately about? Promoting filmmaking in Georgia is something I am passionate about. Macon specific: Downtown, the arts & cultural events and our historic architecture are the good things Macon has going for it…the things that attract out-of-towners to come here for. On the flipside, Macon is very divided politically, racially, and educationally. Who are we as a community? We don’t know…and that is a problem regarding marketing our city. One group says Macon is this; another group says Macon is that. Let’s join forces and Pick it, Stick it and Promote it to the world.
16. Do you have a nickname? “T” or “Sweet Tea” by non-Georgia friends
17. Where is your favorite place to visit? Places that inspire me. Savannah, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, London, Jamaica, Bali, Amalfi, Rome have inspired me. I can’t pick a favorite. I want to go to Africa and Spain and everywhere I’ve never traveled.
18. What book are you reading right now? I’m trying to finish two books right now: Bowie by Marc Spitz and Glamorama by Brett Easton Ellis.
19. What’s hot? The SoChi District. Filmmaking. Building Win-Win relationships. Community Spirit. Reinventing you.
20. What’s not? Stop Signs. Low expectations. Complacency. Negativity. Greed. Apathy. Resistance to change for the greater good.