We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bryan Dillard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bryan below.
Bryan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
As a young teenager, I often found myself framing the world through an invisible lens, capturing moments in my mind’s eye with an instinctive precision. Whether it was the golden hues of a sunset or the candid joy of a friend’s laughter, these images were imprinted on my memory. At the time, I wasn’t sure if this was a universal experience or a unique consequence of the beautiful moments I encountered.
When I turned 17, my passion for these mental snapshots grew into a fervent desire to capture them for real. I convinced my father to help me acquire my first professional camera. Although he always had faith in me, he harbored doubts about the practicality of turning this passion into a profession. His skepticism was palpable when he handed me the camera, accompanied by the words, “Son, you’ll never make money with a camera.”
That sentiment quickly changed. Just two weeks later, I was hired to shoot a boat advertisement that found its way into Wakeboard Magazine. This early success was a revelation, transforming my father’s doubt into belief and solidifying my own determination.
My education was unconventional, a blend of relentless practice and the vast, eclectic lessons of what I fondly call YouTube University. As my skills developed, so did the opportunities. Two years after that pivotal moment with my father, I secured my first consistent booking as a nightlife photographer, capturing the vibrant energy and dynamic scenes of the after-hours world.
This journey, from a young dreamer with an invisible camera to a sought-after professional, has been one of passion, persistence, and the relentless pursuit of capturing life’s fleeting beauty. Every click of the shutter is a testament to the power of believing in one’s vision and the extraordinary path that unfolds when passion meets opportunity.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Bryan Dillard, and I am a Producer at Media Monsters, a Miami-based creative powerhouse dedicated to crafting high-quality content that resonates deeply with audiences. At Media Monsters, we specialize in a wide array of services, including emotion-driven content production, 3D animation, motion graphics, cutting-edge editing, studio management, music studio management, and equipment rental. In essence, we are a one-stop shop for all our clients’ creative needs.
My journey into this industry began with a profound love for capturing moments and telling stories. This passion has evolved into a career where I have the privilege of bringing ideas to life through various media. What sets Media Monsters apart is our holistic approach to content creation. We work closely with our clients to understand their vision and objectives, ensuring that the content we produce not only meets but exceeds their expectations.
Our team at Media Monsters prides itself on staying at the forefront of the industry, leveraging the latest technology and innovative techniques to create compelling content. We don’t believe in taking the simplest route; instead, we strive for solutions that deliver meaningful and impactful results. Our focus on understanding consumer behavior allows us to create ideas that resonate with our clients’ target markets, making their messages not only heard but felt.
One of the aspects I am most proud of is our dedication to continuous learning and improvement. This drive ensures that we remain leaders in the creative field, always ready to tackle new challenges and deliver exceptional results. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that our success is intertwined with that of our clients – every project is a partnership where mutual success is the ultimate goal.
For those who may not have heard of us before, I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that Media Monsters is committed to excellence in every project we undertake. Our passion for creativity, coupled with our persistence and dedication, fuels our ambition to reach new heights and set new standards in the industry. Whether you’re looking for innovative content, production facilities, or cutting-edge motion graphics, we are here to turn your vision into reality.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The journey I’ve been on has not been easy. I’ve always bet on myself and taken on risks to push forward what I believed I could achieve. Not everything went perfectly, and at times I had to get back up and wipe the dirt off to keep pushing forward. After moving my first production company to South Florida, I faced the difficult decision to close it down. This forced me to find other work to pay the bills, leading me to jobs as a waiter and then as a salesman for window treatments.
During those challenging times, I learned valuable lessons. Working as a waiter made me realize that it wasn’t the life I wanted. Transitioning to a sales position taught me a lot about myself and the importance of perseverance. The sales job was entirely commission-based, meaning if I didn’t sell, I didn’t earn. Despite this, I embraced the challenge because I knew where I wanted to go and was willing to learn, work hard, and pursue any opportunity to return to the media world.
The commission structure offered me the potential for uncapped earnings, which was precisely what I needed to rebuild my capital for a new venture in production. My hard work paid off—I was ranked in the top 10 nationally with a 36% closing ratio over 18 months. During the last six months of that job, I began building my new business at night, and when the time was right, I was able to quit and hit the ground running.
This experience taught me resilience and reinforced my belief in the power of persistence. It wasn’t just about making ends meet; it was about keeping my dream alive and finding a way back to my passion. Today, those lessons continue to inspire me as I navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the media industry, always ready to adapt and overcome any obstacle in my path.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
When your back is against the wall, you only have one way to go—push forward. Travers Robertson and I have always believed that taking calculated risks is essential for growth, viewing each risk as a stepping stone toward greater rewards. One of our boldest moves was deciding to acquire high-quality equipment, confident that it would enhance the results of our videos and lower our per-project costs. This strategy often placed us in precarious financial positions, where purchasing new gear meant we had to secure additional work to keep the business afloat.
In the early years, this approach led to some intense moments. There were times when we found ourselves counting quarters and cutting coupons just to afford Burger King Whoppers. These challenging periods created an adrenaline rush that, in hindsight, could be described as motivational fun. It was about putting our backs against the wall through business investments and fighting our way out. This mentality has always been the driving force behind what we’re building at Media Monsters. It’s not a fearsome monster, but rather an attitude and dedication that fuels our progress.
This same energy continues to propel us today. It’s deeply ingrained in our culture and is a significant reason we’ve grown from owning a single camera to now managing millions of dollars’ worth of equipment. Our philosophy is simple: take risks, believe in yourself, and make it happen.
When it comes to our bills and payroll, we’ve always prioritized doing right by our employees and the people who give their all to build with us. We are a team that doesn’t let each other down. During challenging times, we come together to evaluate, develop, and execute solutions. This collective resilience and commitment have enabled us to overcome obstacles and continue growing, ensuring that every challenge is met with unity and determination.
Our journey has taught us that the path to success is rarely smooth, but it is through these near-death moments and close calls that we find our true strength. We have always emerged stronger, more innovative, and more committed to our vision. This relentless spirit is what defines Media Monsters and keeps us moving forward, no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Monsters.Video
- Instagram: @MediaMonsters
- Facebook: https://FB.com/Themediamonsters
- Other: MM Collective Studio
MMCollective.Studio
[email protected]
