We were lucky to catch up with Aliza Brugger recently and have shared our conversation below.
Aliza, 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?
People often talk about how success in the film industry boils down to endurance and outlasting the challenges. For me, it’s a hopeful notion, because I am nothing if not stubborn.
My siblings and I were first generation college kids who grew up on a working-class farm in rural Nebraska. As a middle child in a chaotic household, I thrived in the whirlwind of life. I became a master of entertaining myself amidst the chaos, nurturing my imagination and creativity. Living on a farm provided landscapes to explore which influenced my journey as a storyteller. Additionally, my parents were hard at work, and while our mom pushed us to be successful in school, much of our education was self-guided. We did our schoolwork, chores, piano lessons, reading, and creating largely on our own. My upbringing gave me the bravery to navigate uncharted territories and gave me the confidence to pursue a life as an artist.
My time in the Columbia MFA film program played a pivotal role in cementing my resilience. During high school and college, I had to squeeze filmmaking between my multiple jobs and class schedule. But in New York, I could fully devote my energy and time to studying and making films. Enrolling in the program felt like signing a contract with myself. There was no turning back.
Now, as I’m navigating the tumultuous film industry in LA, I am motivated by shrinking gap between the creator I am now and the young version of myself. I feel like I’m always chasing her, trying to get back to the space where my creativity was uninhibited. I want to have a life of making art that connects people to each other. I want it so badly, I don’t really have a choice but to keep moving!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a filmmaker based in Los Angeles and New York, with roots in Nebraska. One of the projects that I’m particularly proud of is “Roadkill.” This short film gained official selection status at prestigious events like the Oscar-qualifying Outfest Los Angeles, Out on Film, and Out at the Movies where it won Best Screenplay. The feature length version of Roadkill was a faculty selects script, the apex of recognition in Columbia University’s entire program.
“Ain’t No Mercy for Rabbits” was another special project for me. It was an official selection at the Torino, Montclair, and Female Eye Festival, and it was a truly humbling experience to see it win the Best International Short Film award. My most recent project, “Soma,” received the Emerging Filmmakers Grant for its production and the Chinh Chu Finishing Prize for post-production.
In addition to my personal work, I’ve had the privilege to work on exciting projects for a variety of clients. I was hired to direct “The Casting Couch on Greenwich St.” written by Emily Bronner. I also have worked on commercials for clients like Upstream Farms, a brand that’s all about quality and sustainability. I also had the opportunity to work with the renowned Rhymesayers Entertainment, directing the music video for “Wild Seeds” by Sa-Roc.
I am most fulfilled with my work when I’m exploring class, queerness, family, nature and the subconscious. My goal as a filmmaker is to create empathy and connection.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say be genuine, proactive and confident. Be genuine and honest in the stories you tell and in the relationships you build. Be proactive in finding opportunities for yourself to practice your craft. Work hard to find confidence in yourself outside of how others view you and your work
Genuine: The industry is brutal, and can be really lonely. It’s so important to surround yourself with people both inside and outside the industry who lift you up and who see you as separate from your work. It’s easy in this city for people to use each other as rungs in a ladder, and it can kill your spirit if you aren’t actively building relationships that aren’t motivated by work.
Proactive: Nobody is going to hand you opportunities. You have to be constantly on the hunt for them, and if you can’t find any, you have to create your own. Nobody is going to let somebody who has never directed a commercial or music video…direct a commercial or music video. If you love it, if you really, really love it, you have to create opportunities for yourself. There’s endless information about directing and screenwriting out there, so there’s no excuse to not continue to educate yourself on writing, directing, the industry, etc.
Confidence: This industry is unforgiving. Don’t wait for external validation or for someone to pat you on the back, saying you’re on the right track. Your belief in yourself must be unshakable. In an environment where people are quick to find reasons not to hire you, meet them head-on with self-confidence.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
While my main goal as a filmmaker is to write/direct TV and Film, I also have a huge passion for directing music videos, so I’m always on the hunt for an artist who is creatively uninhibited. Tierra Whack is the first artist who comes to mind. It would be a dream to work with somebody who is such a colorful, abstract, playful, genius.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.alizabrugger.com
- Instagram: @aliza.brugger
Image Credits
Andres Solorzano Mariah Olson Natalia Luque Eric Fischer Nicole Tio
