We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brooke Sweeney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brooke, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Most of what I know now, I’ve picked up on the job, from mentors, collaborators, and friends who were generous with their time and willing to teach me. I’ve certainly taught myself a few things here and there through online resources or workshops, but honestly, the biggest part of my learning came from just being in it.
When I first started out and worked full time at a production studio, I was extremely lucky that the people I worked with were so talented, fun and open to mentoring me. I learned so much during my time there and got to try so many things, and yet I’ll never forget the feeling of those first few months freelancing. I was forced to learn quickly, both creatively and professionally. It was all on me now and was a steep learning curve, but incredibly valuable. I can’t help but wonder how much further along I might be if I’d made that jump sooner.
I think not being afraid to speak up about my goals helped open doors for me. If there was something I wanted to learn, I shared it, and thankfully, I had mentors who listened and supported me.
That said, I think success is less about mastering a specific skill and more about having a genuine desire to learn. Everything I do now came from a place of real curiosity and passion. That drive made the learning process, challenging as it was at times, way more doable.
Life, COVID, and time, have all been obstacles. I genuinely love what I do, but I also have a lot of other things I care deeply about. Staying current with gear and equipment, improving your craft, and constantly trying to market yourself is a full-time job in itself, on top of actually doing the work.
More recently, I’ve made life choices that have slowed down my career momentum. My husband and I welcomed our daughter not long ago, and I made a conscious decision to step back and focus on being home with her. I know that choice may have set me back professionally, but personally, it’s a pause I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Brooke, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi, I’m Brooke, Arizona born, Missouri raised, and now based in Utah. I’ve been in love with movies and filmmaking for as long as I can remember. That passion really came to life when I landed a job at a production studio in Salt Lake City during college. I still remember how excited I was to be a part of it.
What began with creating call sheets and coordinating alongside the producer gradually grew into hands-on experience editing, filming, and even directing. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats across a wide range of projects, which has shaped me into a well-rounded generalist, a quality I genuinely value and believe sets me apart.
These days, my focus is primarily on working with the camera, AC, Camp Op or DP, and color grading.
Some of the work I’m most proud of are the passion projects I’ve created with friends and family. There’s something incredibly rewarding about bringing an idea to life purely for the love of it, no budget, no expectations, just creativity and collaboration. I’m also incredibly proud of the jobs where I simply remember enjoying myself. Regardless of the subject or content, if I look back and recall days spent collaborating with good people, learning together, and creating something as a team, that, to me, is time well spent. That’s the kind of work I value most.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
I’ll be the first to admit that self-promotion—especially online—has never been my strong suit. Whether it’s social media or other platforms, I haven’t invested much time or energy into marketing myself digitally.
That said, I’ve found that the most effective way I’ve gained new clients is through direct, personal connection. Reaching out to people I admire or simply meeting others on jobs has opened far more doors than any post or portfolio site ever has.
When I first started freelancing, I made a list of local industry professionals I respected and reached out to them—often just to grab a coffee and hear their story. Not only did I learn a lot, but it also helped me get on their radar for future opportunities. It was a win-win. Sure, I was nervous about putting myself out there, but almost everyone I contacted was encouraging and happy to help me.
Beyond that, working on set or on location has led to a lot of repeat opportunities. I like to think one of my strengths is simply being easy to work with—low-key, reliable, and positive. That kind of energy tends to stick with people in what can sometimes be chaotic environments, and often leads to more work down the line.
At the end of the day, I believe the right attitude attracts the right people. For me, that’s made all the difference.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
At this point in my life after becoming a mom, my creative mission is simple – enjoy the work I do.
These days, if a job pulls me too far from home for too long or adds more stress than it’s worth, I’ve learned to say no when that’s truly an option. Time feels more precious than ever, and I want the projects I take on to feel meaningful, not just necessary. I still ache to create, it’s a deep part of who I am, but now I’m more intentional about how, when, and who I do it with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brookeasweeney.com
- Instagram: @brookedurow
Image Credits
Katie Edwards Mauro
Bobby Jahrig