Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Xander Herman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Xander, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Hey, thanks for having me! For me, learning to be a filmmaker has been quite the journey. It’s this mix of art, technology, and business that keeps evolving. I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered everything, but I’ve picked up some valuable lessons along the way.

Back in middle school, I had this amazing art teacher who really shaped my artistic journey. She always said that artistic skill isn’t something you’re fully born with; it’s something you develop through practice and learning techniques. That idea stuck with me and helped me push past my own limitations and embrace the process of learning.

When I went to USC for architecture, it was a bit of a whirlwind. I was surrounded by super talented peers and often felt like I didn’t belong. That’s when I came across “The Gap” by Ira Glass, which was a game-changer for me. He talks about how every creative person struggles to bridge the gap between their taste and their actual work. It inspired me to keep creating, taking pictures, and shooting footage, always trying to hone my skills.

Of course, it hasn’t been easy. Competing with talented peers, dealing with self-doubt, and navigating the industry has been challenging. But with perseverance and a commitment to growth, I’ve managed to narrow that gap. Every project is an opportunity to refine my craft and push boundaries.

Looking back, I realize that having a mindset of continuous learning and embracing imperfection could have sped up my journey. Although, growth is a process, and setbacks are just opportunities to improve. Through perseverance, passion, and a relentless pursuit of improvement, I’ve overcome the challenges this industry has thrown my way and stayed committed to storytelling through film.

Xander, 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?

Sure! I grew up in Edina, Minnesota, and I’ve always had a deep passion for the arts. I loved painting, drawing, and playing around with a hi8 camera as a young kid. I also had a knack for math, which led me to study architecture because it seemed practical. But, filmmaking was always in the back of my mind.

Choosing to go to USC was pivotal for me. They have great architecture and film programs. Initially, architecture was tough, and I struggled. But then I took a video production class and realized my true passion was film. I faced some setbacks, like being rejected from the film school twice, but I finally got in.

The journey hasn’t been smooth. I’ve dealt with economic downturns, COVID-19, and industry strikes, but my determination kept me going. I’ve had some amazing experiences, like working on documentaries for HBO, Netflix, and Amazon, and on projects for brands like Adidas, Patagonia, and Yamaha. I’ve also worked on narrative projects like “Friend Divorce” and “Repo.” My passion is in cinematography, creating frames that reveal character and story.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part is when people connect with your work on a deeper level. When they understand what you are trying to say using the tools you have; there is a lot of joy in that. Also when people can connect with your work in ways that you hadn’t even imagined. Storytelling has the power to say things in a way that we often can’t say in other terms. This also allows it to reframe certain things to give different perspectives in life that we as humans aren’t always able to see with what is present in our own lives. So, it’s really rewarding when art and intention come together for a greater purpose.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are plenty, although one book that really impacted me is “Creativity Inc.” by Ed Catmull. It offers amazing insights into fostering creativity, innovation, and effective leadership, especially in creative industries like filmmaking.

One great story in it is how when they were making Toy Story 2, someone accidentally deleted all the footage on their computers. Instead of taking time to figure out who caused that fatal accident, they decided to immediately figure out a solution to this horrible problem. Luckily they found out that one of the employees was on maternity leave and had a backup drive with everything on it at her home.

I think this view of urgently looking for a solution has been very helpful in the field of filmmaking. I have never been on a set where something went entirely how it was planned. Life just simply doesn’t work out exactly how you always imagine it. A lot of the time this lesson materializes on set where you simply have to fix a problem and move on. Other times this forces your hand to look at a problem from a new perspective and you end up creating something that you wouldn’t have had in the first place. Usually this helps immensely when you are trying to do something for a film and the budget doesn’t allow it.

There are plenty of other stories in that book that talk about the challenges that arose while building the animation powerhouse that is Pixar. All of the insights are critical for anyone trying to make it in a creative business. I recommend it to anyone that is trying to have a more business mindset while still holding onto the creative spirit that brought them here in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xanderherman.com
• Instagram: @xanderherm

Image Credits
B&W photo of Xander – Graham Skinner Pirouette Set Photo – Jonathan Ho Friend Divorce Set Photo – Stanley Kellis Steelite Set Photo – Edd Benda