We were lucky to catch up with Bryan Grant recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bryan, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I like this question because it comes up a lot when I’m invited to podcasts and interviews like this. I feel like resilience is something we’re not only born with but it also comes from breaking through hard life experiences, which ultimately makes us stronger. That’s key. We must learn from these moments in life which are not always easy, but necessary. Especially in circumstances of work. I remember when I first got to LA and I drove up and down Wilshire dropping off my reel (on DVD) and not hearing back from anyone. It sucked, but I had faith and confidence in myself that I must keep going. You must! The lesson I learned is that when you hear, “no”, it just means not now. Remember that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I grew up in the 80’s loving movies like Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Star Wars, and ET. Watching these movies gave me a sense of wonder and entertainment so powerful that it inspired my desire to work in the industry. During my teenage years, I learned about motion graphics and VFX which was my favorite part of these movies. When I was 16, I drove to various post-production houses learning as much as I could and working for free, which ultimately landed me paid jobs as an editor and videographer. During this time I created my own production company BG Studios taping events, editing them, adding graphics, and selling add-ons. I did that until I left for college and headed to Chicago to learn about film production. During school, I spent time on dozens of film sets as well as directing my own films which landed me awards from my alma mater, Columbia College. After graduation, I moved to California to follow my dreams. It wasn’t easy at first, but as you’re reading this article it’s now 20 years later, and I own a success studio whose clients include all the major film studios, TV networks, and global brands like Rolex, Rimowa, Nike, and many more. I’ve also become a member of the Academy of Arts & Sciences where I contribute to the art form with other like-minded talent and mentor artists around the world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My mom was my first and most inspirational mentor. She instilled the self-confidence I needed to believe in myself no matter what I did. So did my father. This became invaluable when I started my business and charged what I deserved despite being a teenage entrepreneur. My parents also instilled in me that you must remove your ego, which in Los Angeles you see nothing but egos. Also, I would say internships are one of the most powerful things any young person can do. To truly get the most out of any experience you must immerse yourself in it. While in college I interned for post-production houses and production companies, which teaches you things no school can. That’s why I feel internships are the best way to get started and learn. You’re immersed! Find a company that you would love to work with and apply for internships there. It’s an incredible way to learn from masters of their craft, and it’s FREE.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are always looking to collaborate with talented and ambitious artists from all over the world. I want to hear from anyone who has questions about their creative journey or would just like to say hi. I welcome you to email me at: bryan@bryangrantstudios.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bryangrantstudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryangrantstudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-r-grant-48a7692/
Image Credits
Images courtesy of Bryan Grant Studios,Inc
