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Campus Review
November 13, 2013
A “Thrilling” Lecture by Matt Forger
Path to Success: Lessons Learned
Working with Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones
by Sarah Boyd and Amanda Parham
A Terrifying Flash Mob Informs about a Thriller of a Lecture
by Jake Gentry
On Thursday evening, Nov. 7, producer
and recording engineer Matt Forger visit-
ed Clayton State University to give a spe-
cial lecture pertaining to his success in the
music industry and in his life’s endeavors.
Forger is known for working with
Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, and other
major talents in the music industry, and
Steve Spielberg, George Lucas and other
major talents in the film industry. This
special event was sponsored by Clayton
Media and Entertainment Association
(CMEA), a student organization at
Clayton State University.
His lecture, “Path to Success: Lessons
Learned Working with Michael Jackson &
Quincy Jones” was broken into four parts:
1) Forger’s work background in the music
business; 2) How he started on the path
that led him to working with the profes-
sionals that he has encountered, Quincy
Jones, Michael Jackson, Steven Spielberg,
etc.; 3) The principles of success that he
has observed in working with successful
creative individuals; 4) A question and
answer period.
Forger’s lecture can best be summed up
by what success is ultimately based upon;
personal responsibility, educating one’s
self, and personal initiative. His visit to
Clayton State was a major opportunity for
students and others to benefit from experi-
ential learning. This chance to learn in a
different atmosphere can be represented by
an effective quote from Michael Jackson,
“study the greats and become greater.”
Many of the attendees were visiting high
school students, along with Clayton State
students, alumni, faculty, and additional
members of the surrounding community.
Forger’s lecture provided lessons on key
points that he learned through his life’s
achievements. This lecture allowed stu-
dents to participate in experiential learn-
ing, allowing students to learn beyond the
textbook and classroom environment.
“When you have someone like Matt
Forger come and speak to students in this
field, it’s inevitable to get them excited.
They are able to take what he says and
apply it to their learning,” says Dr.
Jonathan Harris, assistant professor of
Communications & Media Studies in the
Clayton State Department of Visual and
Performing Arts, in reference to experien-
tial learning.
Forger not only shared personal moments
that he had with Michael Jackson and
Quincy Jones, but he described key attrib-
utes in his Lessons Learned section
.
“I learned all the other stuff [in life], the
other stuff is how you achieve success,”
he says. Some of the principles that he
shared that were important to him were
passion, talent, intelligence, practice,
A flash mob of zombies surprised Clayton
State University students, faculty, staff
and visitors at the University Center on
Halloween Day, complete with Michael
Jackson lookalike, music from Thriller
and dancers dressed and made-up as hor-
rifying zombies. The performance was
part of a publicity campaign promoting
the lecture hosted by Clayton Media and
Entertainment Association (CMEA) fea-
turing renowned producer and recording
engineer Matt Forger, who has worked
with many entertainment industry greats,
including with Michael Jackson on
Thriller.
The zombie flash mob was organized by
TRUST, the new corporate communica-
tion student agency and was led by
Clayton State theatre major Darius
Booker who dressed as a Dark Messenger,
proclaimed:
Gather round students of the night
To prepare yourselves
with all your might
On Thursday, Nov. 7 a man
comes to CSU
His name is Matt Forger and he's
coming for you!
He's worked with artists'
John Landis and Quincy Jones
The terror of his success may
strike your bones
So grisly ghouls of every tomb
He's closing in to seal your doom
For no mere mortal can resist
The coming of Forger, you don't
want to miss!
Forger, cont’d., p. 16
Matt Forger