Anders Bard ’86 breaks into film and television production in Hollywood

This article first appeared in the Alumni Focus section of the Appleby College newsletter, Appleby Quarterly, Winter 2007.

A willingness to take risks, along with a little luck and a lot of ambition are the keys to success for Anders Bard ’87, an accomplished film and television producer in Los Angeles.

Anders grew up in Montreal and came to Appleby College after attending Selwyn House School in Quebec. “I looked at other schools in Ontario but chose Appleby based on its reputation and lovely campus,” Anders says.

After graduating from Bishop’s University, Anders toiled in sales in Toronto. “That’s what people told me I should be doing,” he says. A two-week stint volunteering for the Toronto International Film Festival gave him a taste for the industry, but, more importantly, allowed him to listen in on producers’ forums, panels and discussions.

After realizing that his true passion was for film and television, he tried to crack his way into the business in Toronto, which he describes as both frustrating and discouraging. “I had no money, I was living in my friend’s basement and in interview after interview I was being told that I should do something else and that this is a very tough business,” he recalls.

With concerned parents, no job in sight and an empty wallet, the rejection Anders faced forced him to take a different approach to realizing his dream. He enrolled in a summer program at the University of Southern California’s film school. His final project for the program involved interviewing someone working in the industry. He chose famed producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the man behind such smash hits as Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop and the Crime Scene Investigation shows. “The professor was not convinced that

I'd get in to see him (Bruckheimer), but I figured I might as well try,” Anders says. A promised five minutes of Bruckheimer’s time turned into an introduction to the production president at Bruckheimer Films and Anders’ first job as an assistant. The job entailed answering phones, scheduling meetings and getting coffee, but also a front row seat and inside view of the industry. “While I was performing the low-paid, lowbrow work of an assistant, I was also witnessing firsthand how movies such as Gone in 60 Seconds, Coyote Ugly, Remember the Titans and Pearl Harbor were being put together.”

His next job was assisting Sylvester Stallone on the set of Driven. The most important part of this from an educational standpoint, he says, was being on location on a massive production and working for a seasoned professional. A year and a half later, Anders landed a job with a top-tier production company, Jersey Films, owned by Danny DeVito. He worked as an executive assistant to distinguished producer Michael Shamberg, DeVito’s partner. That job proved to be life-changing. John Hamburg, who wrote the comedies Zoolander and Meet the Parents and directed Safe Men, brought in a script to Jersey Films, that actor Ben Stiller attached himself to, which led to financial backing from Universal Studios. John needed someone to assist him in making the movie, and asked if Anders would be interested. “I soon became very involved with all aspects of producing, which led to my credit being changed to associate producer,” he says. “After four-and-a-half years, my assistant days were behind me.”

That movie was Along Came Polly and Anders was working with the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, Debra Messing, Hank Azaria and Ben Stiller. After Polly, John was asked to write Meet the Fockers, and he and Anders started a company based at Universal Studios. Over the past two years, Anders and his partner have been developing numerous projects and have four comedy films in the works that are set up at various studios in L.A. They have also shot a television pilot for CBS, tentatively called The Captain, which was picked up for six episodes. Anders will be co-producing the show that started shooting in November.

Aside from his professional success, one of Anders’ most cherished achievements thus far is being invited to join what he calls Hockey Night in Hollywood. An exclusive Monday night hockey game hosted by Jerry Bruckheimer, the roster includes current and former National Hockey League players, celebrities and film and music industry bigwigs. Anders is a full-time member of this exclusive group.

Reflecting on his time at Appleby, Anders has nothing but fond memories and was sorry to miss his 20-year reunion this September. “I was only at Appleby for one year, but it was a continuation of my experiences at Selwyn House,” he says. “The standards were very high in terms of the education, sports programs, social aspects, classmates and teachers, and I really think an environment like that gives you a sense of confidence upon graduation as to who you are, how you fit in and what your strengths and weaknesses are.”

His advice to anyone who is pursuing something that feels unattainable? “Learn how to enjoy the lows as much as the highs, and just go for it. Life is a lot more fun if you realize some dreams.”

When asked about his next big challenge, he says it’s working up the nerve to ask Jennifer Aniston out on a date. He’s joking. Sort of.

This article first appeared in the Alumni Focus section of the Appleby Quarterly, Winter 2007.