Brian is someone I've known since I was a bright eyed, bushy tailed teenager working the projection booth and concession stands at the local movie theatre. He also happens to be one of my first bosses. It's been inspiring watching his skills grow and seeing his talent shine through over the years. From his dreamer days at film school in Los Angeles to his current career here in Chicago, he has always stayed true to his ideals and passions. He's a go getter, doesn't give up and continues to work hard to bring his ideas to life and create a career out of his art. He took some time to share his experiences, his journey and some of the current projects he's been working on. What I find most moving about Brian's story is that he doesn't shy away from the difficult things, he keeps it real and shares the raw reality of his experiences for those interested in his field.
Keep reading for the full interview:
1. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what led you to pursue a career in film/cinematography/digital media?
I am freelance photographer and video producer. I consider myself a modern expressionist. - “expression is not merely a matter of representing one's thoughts to the world, for the enterprise of expressing oneself is as much about creation as it is about representation. Mediums of expression do not simply convey a person's thoughts to the world; they do a great deal to shape the content of those thoughts. It follows that freedom of expression is not simply the freedom to communicate one's voice to others, but is more fundamentally the freedom to develop a distinctive voice of one's own - The Art of Expression Timothy Macklem”
Through expression I have the ability to share my art with many people. Being in media offers me the opportunity to share my creativity with the most people possible.
I have never been a very smart person. I am great with my hands fixing things and working with machines, but standard education didn’t interest me when I was younger. I spent most of my time working in the arts. Things have changed as I grew up. Now I would consider myself more of a philosopher at heart. I seek out knowledge every day wherever I can. I find so much of it on YouTube now. YouTube is filled with education videos; videos being the way I learn best.
I have always had a love for the cinema. After graduating high school I began working as a 35mm film projectionist. (Working with you for a while) That was a great job, but eventually I dreamed big and wanted to become a part of the movies I was projecting. I chose to move to Hollywood, received a BA from Columbia College Hollywood, and have been going between freelance work ever since.
2. Can you tell us more about your current work and the vision driving the films and shorts/series you are creating in the digital space?
This year I have produced live independent pro wrestling shows and for the Windy City Bulls basketball team. I also produced a television commercial for the ETI School of Skill Trade. Seasonally I am a photographer shooting portraits, graduations, and the occasional marathon.
Those are jobs I do for pay only, in my non paid time work on my own photography and edit video. This is where Cookin’ at da Crib fits in my life. It is a show that I made in my spare time with money I earned from other paid gigs. It was recorded in my home in Schaumburg with nearly a dozen cast and crew. I edit it from home and plan to advertise it once I have a certain number of shows online.
I see this concept as a funny way to show folks these easy to make recipes. We've got a very talented cast and crew who believe in the same philosophy. TJ Johnson AKA “Chef Trauma” is a kind hearted man who brings great energy into the kitchen. Chef Puppet is hilarious, he thinks up the silliest things while cooking. Christian Sass and Jay Roberts are the shows directors. They are both very creative and have a great eye for quality content. Of course I wouldn’t have a show at all without the help of Candice Smith AKA “Chef Mama Bear”. She is the shows Co Producer and lead chef.
These first episodes are a little “raw”. The first recording was a test, learning what camera angles to set up and how to cook for camera. Each recording, each edit has gotten better in quality. I see the show continuing to get better in the future.
Behind the Scenes on set at Cooking at Da Crib - Photography: Brian Gill
3. Can you share a bit about your journey and what has led you to this point in your career?
I got my degree in 2007. I learned how to record film, but the industry was switching to digital right before my eyes. In 2010 I moved back to Illinois thinking that I would find a job in the television industry. What I discovered was the good jobs were all taken and my jobs had been lost due to automation. So, I worked “survival jobs” and freelanced as much as I could.
I fell in love with cooking for my kids during the separation stage of my divorce. I would wake up in the mornings to make my kids breakfast and a sack lunch to take to school. When they came home I would make dinner and help with homework. My daughter chose vegetarianism at the age of 6 when she connected that chicken in the kitchen isn't “made” somewhere. This gave me a challenge to experiment with her favorite meals. I got into a routine that I loved, and was working a great paying job with great hours. I miss that time and hope to return to it one day
However, the end of the divorce was messy plus I was in a major drought finding paid work. In the end I lost custody of my kids. I was in a dark place and jaded from working for others with no security. I had profited by working for others through 2014, but desired to produce something for myself. This show idea originally was a way for me to share my favorite recipes in a place my kids could find them. As it evolved, and with the help of my amazing fiance, it became a much bigger adventure. I put together a small crew and we self funded 2 recordings of actors in the kitchen making our favorite meals.
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| Behind the scenes - Photography: Brian Gill |
4. Where do you get your creative inspiration for the ideas you are working to bring to life?
I love to cook for people, but I started cooking originally for my kids. I began to see cooking as my greatest form of expression. Food is the only art that can be taken in by all of the senses, we see food and can make it look beautiful, the smells create memories, touch, taste, the sounds of something frying in the pan. All of your senses are satisfied with good food. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest art forms and a true way to show love to people. (I cite our thanksgiving dinners as further evidence and some of my best memories from that age.) **editors note: A group of friends during our college years after working at the movie theatre started a tradition of creating a friends giving. Each year we would all cook and bring a dish to celebrate with one another.**
My kids are my main inspiration, they're the reason I began cooking at all. My fiance is also a huge inspiration. She adds recipes, talks with me about scripting, and helps out during the recordings (as Chef Mama Bear).
It is difficult to explain where the rest of the artistic inspiration comes from. Sometimes it feels like my creative side is always a part of me; I just need to focus and get to work. Other times it's all about knowing how to use a camera and all its settings.
I try to be the change I want to see in the world. I’ve always had trouble understanding why racism is still an issue in our modern society. Inspiration for Cookin’ at da Crib partly came from my desire to show all races of men working together in the kitchen. All of us working together to share the love. It might not be be obvious when you watch the show now, but the inspiration was there all along.
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| Behind the scenes - Photography: Brian Gill |
5. Are there people, mentors or figures that have made an impact in your life and career? If so, how?
We all have those people in our past that are indispensable. In my most recent demo reel edit I made it a point to list the names of all I could remember. Ron Reeves was a huge influence on me during my college years. He came out of the studio system and offered me my first job out of college. He taught me so much about working with people.
Christian Sass has done a lot for me here in Illinois. He has helped me find work many times. We have also collaborated on many projects throughout the years.
Pete Ferreri has made a huge impact on my recent career. He has introduced me to many new clients and we have worked together a lot this year.
6. What are your thoughts on the impact of social and digital media on the film/cinema world? How do you think mediums like Youtube have changed or impacted creators such as yourself?
I'm a regular YouTube consumer and there seems to be a never ending supply of quality content finding me. Never before has it been so easy for anyone to create content and build an audience. Sadly that has made it much harder to stand out in a overcrowded competitive marketplace. We live in the midst of this revolution. Viewer habits are changing rapidly. Across all markets audiences are getting smaller. Viewers are currency. The system is still rigged for the big corporations bit the table is leveling out slowly.
I am grateful that I am producing as much as I am, it is the technology that makes it possible. I just hope that I can find an audience.
7. How are you remaining innovative when it comes to your work?
I try not to chase trends because by the time you catch one the trend will have changed. I definitely try to stay current on the technology. Most of this year I'm shooting 4K Ultra HD video; I worked with mostly film through college. I also practice a lot. I'm always experimenting with shooting styles. Each video I edit give me more insight into the best way to speak to my audience.
8. What kind of obstacles have you faced as a freelancer – how have you overcome and what are some hardships creatives may face as they pursue their dreams?
Finding clients is easy the hardest part of working as a freelancer. Ones that are willing and able to pay are hard to find. Cheap, easy to use technology, especially cameras on smartphones, have made my work as a photographer less in demand.
Finding an audience for a new show is still the hardest thing I've had to do. My most success produced content has always been tied to an established brand. It's not impossible make a break now, just very difficult.
9. Can you share more about some current projects you're working on if you are working on anything in particular?
Right now I've got enough footage to release one video every month until next summer. Another recording is scheduled for later this month that will yield enough episodes to release until 2019. We want to record our favorite soups and pasta dishes. There is also a plan for a “Grilling at da Crib” for next summer's video releases.
Currently, I'm trying to build up a grassroots audience before paying to advertise on YouTube. I expect the audience to grow rapidly once we begin paying for advertisements. The dream is to eventually get the attention of the food network so we can move show to a full half an hour live to tape style show with a weekly release schedule. Our chefs would work together in the kitchen and bring on guest.
Eventually we hope to use the shows popularity to own our own restaurant called “Da Crib”.
10. What kind of advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in film? Can you share some of the raw realities?
Raw realities… The big business of media is an old oney industry. Many jobs are only available to people with family or connections already within the industry. If my time in Hollywood has taught me anything it is that there are always “below the line crew jobs” available to anyone, but it is very hard to break into the industry without contacts in high places.
11. Finally, where can we learn more about you and your work online?
The cooking show is still in the early stages of branding. We're on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter as Cookin’ at da Crib. Anyone who wants to see my favorite form of expressionist at should play the Simpsons app “Tapped Out” and find my town under the username BG1andonly. I've spent years now on my imaginary town and it's my favorite example of the care I put into my expression.
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