Today we’d like to introduce you to Fred Grant.
Hi Fred, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was about 3 or 4 years old I walked into a room where my parents were watching the movie Alien. I asked my mom what this was and she replied, “it’s a movie.” I then proceeded to ask her what a movie was and she responded, “Well, it’s like dreams, but real.” From then on I was fascinated by this concept. Looking back it’s quite interesting how I essentially discovered many concepts on my own by basically just trying to problem solve. For example I thought I could created a video game so I drew many pictures of each level as it progressed with dialogue which was storyboarding. I then would make each image just slightly different and take a photo of each one which turned out to be how animation was done. I would make flip books and show them to my friends. I even would make stop motion lego movies – this all being before the age of 8 – no research, no internet, no magazine subscriptions, just discovered it on my own.
When the release of Final Fantasy VII came out I begged my dad to try to find video game software so that I could make my own games, but nothing like that existed at the time. This game influenced many story ideas and concepts throughout my life and still has continued to do so. In high school I took a C++ course, but the teacher didn’t like me much and basically told me that this wasn’t a good fit for me. So, I joined mass media and would start filming live action music videos, skits, instructional, and skateboarding videos. On one occasion I thought it would be cool to mount my camera inside of my friend’s glider cockpit and the teacher was so impressed that I was awarded student of the month. These experiences gave me so much positive reinforcement that I decided to make it my career.
While attending college I taught myself the Adobe Suite and would basically shoot short films practicing different concepts or special effects. I wasn’t very good at storytelling at the time, but I ended up having a lot of directing experience with crews and actors. After graduation one of my teachers helped me get an internship with a company called Trick 3D. This was a really great opportunity because the owner had a very similar mindset to myself. Whatever he wanted to learn or experiment with he did, and in the process I acquired a lot of unique experience like: creating stereoscopic 3D, 3D rotoscoping, motion tracking, 3D productions (Elf on the Shelf), commercials, mobile games, etc., etc…
Around the time I was 25, I had two friends that were making their own feature films and I decided to give it a shot. In hindsight I should have done a way easier film, but by pushing my limits I gained more experience than any job, project, or class could have ever given me. I learned budgeting, coordinating, marketing, scriptwriting, casting, and much more on a large scale. I was able to find a sales agent who helped me get somewhat of a return on my budget, but honestly the experience was more than reimbursement, plus it would lead to many future jobs and I later met my wife because of it, so I can’t complain.
After working as a production assistant, editor, and new producer all around Atlanta I was still unsatisfied with the industry in Georgia and felt like I was missing out on my destiny to be a film director. I want to take this moment to warn creatives that this industry doesn’t always pay the best, is mostly contract, and will burn you out if you let it. Anyway, while in college I made a pact with one of my best friends to move to LA and pursue “the dream”, and around 28 we did just that. Right off the bat we landed many production jobs and I felt an immediate pace change. Work-life balance was much better, the creative bar was set higher – this was Hollywood! Now I’m working on projects that air on TV and in theaters while also having the time to pursue my own personal endeavors like making my own video games soon to release on STEAM, Xbox, and PS5. The industry is always changing and it’s difficult trying to keep up, but overall the move was a life changing experience and I have no regrets.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Long story – short, no it has not been a smooth road. The industry is constantly changing: things have gotten more expensive, costs are being cut, restructuring causes layoffs after layoffs, and contract work leaves little to be desired when trying to afford healthcare at times. I pains me to see my fellow coworkers and friends struggle with finding consistent work and overall moral is low. Throughout all of my 20s I was underpaid, overworked, and used all of my earnings between gigs. Bad managers (bad leadership in general) can really bring down a company. I’ve seen it happen many times and it hasn’t been pleasant. Lastly, and I’m sure anyone in the film industry can back me up on this, fake people are annoying! I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve spent and day with someone saying that they are this our that (like an investor) only to have them ghost you right after. You’ll meet a lot of people not staying true to their word and making false promises in this industry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I just tell everyone that I’m a video producer because it’s hard to quantify what I do. One day I’m an editor, another day I’m consulting, sometimes coordinating, or even marketing. I bring ideas into fruition from concept to screen and wear many hats. I specialize in producing and directing projects, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Celtx (screenwriting). I don’t think I’m known for any specific one thing, but I get calls when something related to video needs to be done. If I had to pick a professional project that was my favorite it would be making the videos in the AT&T stores – it was actually a lot of fun. I’m most proud of my personal works like the short films “Love Never Forgets” and “The EGG”, my comic “Crusadia Connected”, and my video games “Lore: Curse of the Elemental”, and “The Backrooms: Forsaken” (coming soon). When I put my mind to something I do it, and staying true to my word I think sets me apart from others (especially in today’s society).
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can contact me at [email protected]. That is my most public email and I collaborate through that contact. The best way to support me is contact me or spread the word about my new backrooms inspired game coming out early 2025 called, “The Backrooms: Forsaken.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fredgrantstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_films/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrantFilmsLLC
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-grant-4ab87637/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@derf0007
- Other: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/crusadia-connected/s1-ch-1-the-announcement-part-1/viewer?title_no=576083&episode_no=1
