We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Adrian Pruett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Adrian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

Fragmentation. For a long time there were only three television networks, then a dozen, then hundreds. Now anyone with a social media following can be a network. Some influencers command larger numbers of audience then most television shows get in average viewers. This is why traditional television is, and has been, dying. Today 500 hours of video content is uploaded to the internet every 60 seconds.

I initially hesitated, thinking this might be a passing trend. Seeing that YouTube just made more than any streamer or television network, I think it’s clear what the future is going. I believe there is opportunity in the chaos.

Because social media relies on powerful algorithms to funnel curated content to the user, we can now easily discover and connect with companies and creators working across all kinds of mediums. With our industry experience we bring tremendous value to their work. I believe we can find community on these new platforms, working with personalities we respect on work we find interesting, rewarding, and important. I’m so fortunate to have an amazing wife and family that believe in me 100%.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an American director, cinematographer, and producer, and a proud member of the DGA, PGA, and IATSE. I’ve filmed for Apple+, NBC, Amazon, FOX, and Disney+, among many others. My commercial work includes collaborations with agencies such as Ogilvy, 72andSunny, and Deutsch. I was the cinematographer for the 2021 Tribeca Audience Award-winning feature film Venus as a Boy. I’ve also directed four Emmy® Award-winning television shows and was nominated for a 2024 Daytime Emmy® Award for directing the Disney+ series Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts S2.

In 2023, I started the marketing and brand storytelling agency ONEBIGPARTY (ONEBIGPARTY.co), where we focus on working with innovative tech start-ups, AI companies, and Web 3.0 projects that aim to make the world a better place. That may sound lofty, but I believe it’s the benefit of living in an era of democratization and disruption. The gatekeepers of my youth are slowly disappearing, and the huge, monolithic studio system is crumbling. There are a lot of good people making amazing products who need help connecting with a niche audience that can truly benefit from their services.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

ONEBIGPARTY, my new project, emerged from a significant career pivot catalyzed by the SAG/AFTRA strike last year. This event prompted a period of deep introspection. For many years, I had been primarily focused on making a living, often at the expense of pursuing my passions. This realization led me to thoroughly examine my current situation, also my principles, and where they fit the vertical growth of content creation.

I identified a growing need in the market: many small companies, particularly in the tech sector, needed help with funnel building, brand storytelling, and high-quality content production. ONEBIGPARTY was conceived to address this need. It allows me to work one-on-one with founders, an experience I find incredibly rewarding.

This business model not only aligns with my skills and interests but also provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As I mentioned we focus on products and services that can have a meaningful imapact on people, families, or the planet. Some of our initial clients have a Web 3.0 community project called VeChain, the premiere neurofeedback wearable company Bia, and a group of other cutting edge companies that are currently under NDA.

As tough as the transition was, I focused on identifying areas where I could contribute to making the world a better place for future generations, including my son. This mission now drives the work I do.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I’ve been reading as much as possible the last few years. I’ve digested almost every book by Robert Greene recently. Specially ‘The Laws of Human Nature’ which helped me address so many blind spots in my relationships especially in business. ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin is really great. ‘The Obstacle Is the Way’, ‘Your Next Five Moves’, and ‘The Creative Act’ are all top of my list as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.onebigparty.co
• Instagram: @onebigparty.co
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianpruett/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ONEBIGPARTY_

Image Credits

1. Tom Griscom
2. ONEBIGPARTY
3. ONEBIGPARTY
4. Jeff Packard