Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Peter Brant. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Peter, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
Education in the arts should be centered around melding the process into your daily life. Filmmaking and most art is often centered around popularity, fame, money, the best camera, prestige, etc. A bunch of rules and cultish behavior that ends up eliminating thoughtful creators and leaving a bunch of mean-spirited nepo babies. The goal should be to get as many people to create art consistently without crushing expectations.
Film schools should provide mentors that actually work in the field and can help find opportunities for young filmmakers.
Film festival submissions should be free or filmmakers should get the notes for why they were rejected. $50-100 is a ton of money for young people.
Peter, 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?
I am a filmmaker and creative director. I grew up in the midwest and started my career in New Zealand and LA in music videos and commercial production.
My wife, Leah Hayes, and I created Nouvel Ami. We write series, films, music, illustrate, design, and animate. We love to hear from people on potential avenues and projects.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I was talking to a famous and successful filmmaker once about the projects I was working on. I was editing one thing while directing another. I was acting in a friend’s commercial while working as a production assistant on another. Trying to do anything to pull together rent and stay in LA. The director said something along the lines of, “I’ve never done anything but direct on set.” The message seemed to be that if I wanted to direct, then I would have to only direct. Needless to say that this director came from a wealthy background, had endless connections, and never had to pay his own rent.
I am grateful for all of the roles I have played throughout the years. Glad that I have different perspectives of what a set can be. More patient and empathetic because of it.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Always tend towards kindness. Nothing good has come from being a hothead little Napoleon. The myth of the famous director that throws things and behaves like a child is false.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.pppjjjbbb.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterjbrant/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
Image Credits
Bio photo by Myles Pettengill https://www.mylespettengill.com/