From the Bricks to the Big Screen

Meghan Malone, BSJ ’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 “The Garfield Movie” 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 film’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 Ohio University. What originally drew Malone to OHIO was the campus: “It was just very beautiful, it looked so picturesque and what I imagined a college campus to be—the nature, the beautiful red brick everywhere,” she recalls. “It was just very scholarly.”

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.

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

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 it—even in roles that might not appeal to her at first.

“I like to put my best foot forward with anything,” she explains. “It might not be exactly what I want to do at that point in time, but I’m going to do it with purpose and I’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.”

Malone’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 “The Garfield Movie.” To prepare, she dug up her old Garfield merchandise, including Garfield pajamas and a Christmas-themed Pooky (the cat’s beloved teddy bear).

“It was just a dream for a cat fan and for a Garfield fan,” she says.

Watching the credits roll on “The Garfield Movie” was a full-circle moment, as Malone got to see her own name written on the big screen, just as she’d seen so many others displayed during her film courses. “It was really surreal,” 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.

“What's for you won't pass you by,” she adds. “Put 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