Brad Hammer of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Brad Hammer and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brad, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I think energy is the #1 most important tool and inspiration for me. Knowing the importance of energy has helped me learn more about life. I always say that the biggest compliment anyone can give you, is that you have good energy!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the CEO and Founder of Brad Hammer Productions. I direct and produce music videos, commercials, viral videos, social media videos, and I am currently in post production with my fourth documentary.

I was the first person to direct specifically queer viral videos (at Andrew Christian) to market to the LGBTQ audience. My video directing career was manifested from my love for YouTube videos by Cazwell, Kelly, Sherry Vine, Willam, Jackie Beat, David LaChappelle/Amanda Lepore (MAC), to name a few. These are the pioneers of the original queer viral videos.

My career started with creating gay male content with a campy twist, a la John Waters, who is my idol. Once RuPaul’s Drag Race started, I started working with all the queens and I have made over 100 music videos for the Drag Race girls. My goal was always to branch out into commercials, which has been a larger focus for me recently. One of my favorite clients right now is Q Care Plus, where I not only get to create commercials, but I also get to give back to the community by letting people know about PrEP and DoxyPep.

I am blessed because I was able to take all the knowledge I learned over the years and now I am making videos for GUESS, Aperol, Lion’s Gate, Sony, Disney, OUTLOUD Music Festival, JJLA, Sony Pictures, McDonald’s, Poppi, The Sunset Strip, Simply PoP, Spotify, Aperol, Casamigos, Skyy Vodka, Red Bull, Diesel, Coachella, EDC, Melco Resorts, Q Care Plus, Mistr, The Abbey Food and Bar, Screwball Liquor, Sidetrack Bar, 33 Taps, Fort Troff, Grindr, SummerTramp, Absolut, Stoli, and more!

I have worked with Cher, Diana Ross, Ariana Grande, Kesha, Doechii, Janelle Monae, Diplo, Grace Jones, Paula Abdul, Adam Lambert, Lizzo, Paris Hilton, Trixie Mattel, Erasure, Noah Cyrus, David Archuleta, Alyssa Edwards, Frankie Grande, Jimbo, Manila Luzon, Sasha Colby, Detox, Alaska, Kylie Love, RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Monet Xchange, Nina West, and many more!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I really never felt powerful until I got to college at the University of Cincinnati. I joined Sigma Chi Fraternity and I attribute that time to really building up my confidence. I became very involved on campus, was accepted into all the biggest honoraries, and made top 5 for Homecoming King at a school with 40,000 students. I had never really felt that kind of love from so many people. I have always been ambitious, but this time in my life proved to me that my dreams could come true.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
My entire life has been an emotional rollercoaster ride. I had a lot of wounds to heal in my heart from my childhood that I ignored for a very long time. I always put on a happy face, when deep inside I was very hurt. I was the life of the party, but there were some serious moments of darkness along the way.
Before I started doing videos I was very lost and I did almost give up. Being creative is what makes me happy.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I am not even sure if I have a public image. In my early 20’s I was an actor and in front of the camera and loved all that attention. Once I fell in love with being behind the camera, I have enjoyed being more low profile. My social media is mostly just my work, but I do think you can see my personality in my art.
I have also lived many chapters in my book of life. Each chapter has been so different, so I am not sure what the overall public thinks about me. If they see me as a bit all over the place, then yes, that is true! LOL.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop being so hard on myself. I am already trying to do that because it is exhausting! I try and take time to appreciate my life and the success I have had, rather than obsess over what I still want to accomplish.

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