We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Drew Brandon Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Drew Brandon below.

Hi Drew Brandon, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Not to start off in the most cliche way possible, but I’ll give you my company tagline: Sad But Drew is a full service production company founded on the belief that making Films, Television, and Commercials should be as fun as it sounds.

I’ve always been in the entertainment industry; I started acting at 10 years old in England, I went to a performing arts high school (shout out HSPVA in Houston, Texas), I got a college degree in acting and directing, and I started PA’ing when I was 20 in New York City—and as much as I could wax poetic about my ethos and how I think things should be done, the main driving force behind doing any of this is… that it’s fun. Making movies is cool. Sure, sometimes it’s a corporate-branded, hyper-commercial movie, but I’d still prefer doing that to filing someone’s taxes. No matter what project I’m working on, I always try to remember that, and I’ve tried to make sure that idea is embedded into every project that I do and that my company does.

Like, let’s talk about the name for a second—Sad But Drew. People have asked me, “Aren’t you worried people won’t take you seriously?” It’s a DoorDash commercial, Barbara—settle down.

All that to say, I’m not here to f*** around either! I have spent the last 10+ years collecting the most incredible, talented, competent, smart, funny, and collaborative people in the industry to work with. It makes it a lot easier to have a good time when you know the job is going to get done well, on time, and on budget. I’ve had many titles throughout my journey; I’ve been an actor, director, Production Assistant, Coordinator, Producer, Line Producer, Production Manager, 1st AD, 2nd AD—I even did a few rounds as a precision/stunt driver—so I know how much work everyone has to put in. I believe in fair pay, good working conditions, and NORMAL HUMAN WORKING HOURS. That all sounds like it should be an “industry standard,” but news flash: it ain’t!

Listen, we live in dark and uncertain times, I believe in the power of films and television to bring light into this world and affect change, bring joy, cultivate community—all that good stuff—so I’m gonna keep doing it. And you best believe I’m gonna have a good time.

Drew Brandon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Drew Brandon Jones! I’m a producer, I’m a director, and I’m a writer. I have a production company called Sad But Drew that offers creative and production services for brands, production services for overseas companies looking to shoot in the USA, and is also an original content mill in the feature film and television space!

I got into this industry via the on-stage/on-camera route. I was an actor as a kid, as a teen, as a young adult, and every once in a blue moon… I still am. But we’ll leave that for another day,

Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to entertain people—and to this day, I try to keep that going. I produce, I direct, I write, and three times a year you might catch me doing stand-up comedy. In 2018, I started working full time at a production company here in L.A and over the next few years, I climbed up the ranks, so to speak. Ultimately I became a freelance producer, being lucky enough to work with other producers and production companies from around the country, and indeed the world, on a wide range of projects. I’ve shot in New York, LA, Houston, New Orleans, Jersey, Virginia, Rome, Sicily, Kenya and a few places in between.

When I think of what I’m most proud of in my career, the word that comes to mind is “authenticity.” I like to think that whether I’m in a meeting, on set, or off-the-clock, you’re always getting the same Drew Brandon Jones. I know this is a tough industry to navigate sometimes, but I find that being true to yourself and not letting “who you think you should be” govern your decisions and movements through this often perilous maze we call “Showbusiness” is the way to go.

If you spend all day only telling people what you think they want to hear, there’s really nothing that separates you from the next navy-suit-wearing somebody at the next table over at Soho House.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

That there’s merit to absolutely destroying your soul and body for your work.

There’s a toxic trend in the entertainment industry that your willingness to put yourself on the line to get the shot should be worn like some sort of badge of honour. Don’t get me wrong, I love people who are willing to go the extra mile and put extra effort in where it’s needed, but I’m not looking to put anyone in physical OR mental danger over some car commercial. When I was a PA, I thought that $250 for a day’s work was all the money in the world; I didn’t know what Overtime was, and I certainly had no idea what the fuck a “Meal Penalty” meant, so I was easy to take advantage of, and I was willing to stay on set or at the office until the lights were all turned off… but I’m here to break the cycle, not continue it.

Any advice for managing a team?

Think to yourself before you speak, send a text, or send an email… “How would I receive this? Would I think this is underhanded, rude, or passive aggressive? Does this reflect the kind of leader I want to be? Am I expressing an appropriate amount of sincere gratitude?”

Also don’t use corporate speak. It’s off-putting and everyone knows you’re full of shit <3

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sadbutdrew.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sadbutdrewproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewbrandonjones

Image Credits

Jason Janocko
Julian Bridges
Caro Aposhian
Claire Matson
Connor Kruysman