FILMMAKING GUIDE: Award-Winning Writer/Director/Producer with extensive professional experience helps you take your ideas to the next level.

Find out more about Brandon

• 1) How did this passion find you? When did you start practicing?

  My passion for filmmaking began in a movie theater in Southern California when I was eight years old.
  
  My family would go to the movies almost every weekend, and one October evening, we saw The Champ.
  
  I cried.
  
  We went back to the same film two weeks later to see little Ricky Schroder idolize his dying boxing father, Jon Voight.
  
  I cried again.
  
  Even as a little dude, I realized this was a powerful medium if one could fully grasp what drama was coming and yet still be emotionally charged. I asked my dad, "How does it do that?" He explained how films worked, and the person at the helm was a "director."
  
  Amid schoolyard aspirations of being a fireman, dating Olivia Newton-John, and someday owning a Sony Walkman-I declared, "I want to be a film director."
  I wanted to be a part of stories so powerful they could make you cry.
  
  Twice.
  
  I got my hand on a VHS Camcorder, dusted off my father's Super8mm film camera, and convinced anyone I knew to be in my moving pictures. And so, my practice as a writer/director/producer began.
  
  I'm still practicing.

• 2) Which artists or works affect you the most?

  I have a wide variety of inspirations. My professional career started in Music Videos and then Commercials, so I looked up to Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, and David Fincher, who were at Propaganda Films where I signed - right before they closed shop.
  
  My feature film work spans a variety of genres, so I'm a massive fan of Danny Boyle. I'm a sucker for Musicals…I love John Carney. Love West Side Story and Singing in the Rain. Growing up, I was moved by everyone from Hitchcock to Wim Wenders, Spike Lee to the Cohen Brothers, Speilburg to Jean-Luc Godard.
  
  As an independent filmmaker, I think Mark Duplass is the smartest guy in the room. "Becoming a well-rounded artist," he says, "is about embracing imperfection and churning out work until it improves."

• 3) What are the qualities and skills required to succeed in this area?

  I agree with director Robert Wise's three P's required to be a filmmaker: passion, patience, perseverance.
  
  When you dive into thoughtful and steadfast work, storytelling through films is like "poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for." (to steal from Dead Poets Society)**
  
  **BTW - Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist book is fantastic with inspiring insights like, "The artist is a collector… Your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by."

• 4) What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  Find your WHY.
  
  A wide variety of friends, mentors, and unshakable optimists have asked me, "What is your Why?" Answering WHY I'm creating something gives me courage in the face of adversity.
  
  The concept of WHY was made popular by Simon Sinek at @TED in 2009. No doubt, the big WHYs in our life help with inspired focus, direction, and meaning - and yet, I've discovered finding a specific smaller "Why" for every film project gives me the motivation to press on and stick with it.
  
  Figure out your "Why," and you'll be unstoppable and find joy in your work.
  
  • • •
  
  Some practical encouragement I share with students:
  
  "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started. You're ready. Start making stuff." - Austin Kleon
  
  "Swing the sword in your hand. Don't dream about what you can do once you get the access, do with what you got. And… don't just make something just to make something. Make it count." - Mark Duplass

• 5) How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  Joy. Pure Joy.
  
  In my office, I have a poster from the Irish Film Centre quoting Godard…
  
  Photography is truth. And cinema is truth twenty-four times a second.
  
  When I'm working in my passion, I feel like I'm communicating truth.

• 6) What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  I am proud of all my feature films, but there is something special about your debut.
  SIRONIA isn't a perfect film, but I love the performances, the 35mm film cinematography, and how the music weaves into the narrative.

• 7) Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  I am consistently inspired by students who go above and beyond.
  I find that grit, passion, and determination always win over ability.
  Filmmakers who progress rapidly are those who are willing to work hard and embrace the idea of failing fast and often.

• 8) Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  In the past few years, I've done a deep dive into Improv- taking classes, performing, and teaching workshops. I find the art form inspiring all aspects of my life. There is gold in Improvisation. One of my secrets to being an effective Superprof is applying the best practices from Improv…
  
  Listen.
  Be in the moment.
  Embrace the freedom to fail.
  Want the best for your teammates.
  Don't judge yourself or others.
  Say YES! And… add your bold, honest voice with passion.