Meet Brendan McGowan

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brendan McGowan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brendan, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

If I’d succumbed to imposter syndrome I’d be nowhere. Every venture I set out on – whether it’s cinematography or tattooing or playing music – is born from a desire to enjoy the process of creating, and an essential part of every process is learning. I continuously experience imposter syndrome still but I see it as a sign that I’ve leveled up. I got my degree in acting from CalArts, which is something I rarely implement, so all of my work across mediums is completely self-taught and learned out of necessity and drive. At the beginning of my film career I couldn’t afford to pay my friends who were cinematographers so I taught myself how to shoot. I couldn’t get an apprenticeship tattooing so I had to teach myself. I stay open about my need to learn and progress whether I’m in charge of a camera department or on tour with my band. Humility and the willingness to take risks are the ultimate enemies of imposter syndrome.

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 started out as an actor but I hated that a major part of that profession is essentially a request for permission. I found that so stifling. I eventually quit, left Los Angeles, and started making music videos for local New York bands until my client base grew. I fell in love with the cinematography aspect of the process, prioritized that, and started venturing into films. I’ve been very lucky to work with so many artists I grew up listening to and am a fan of, and the skills I built doing so led me to work on films with filmmakers I admire.

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?

I’ve learned so much from friends and collaborators, I have them to credit for everything. My advice to anyone looking to build a career in the arts is to work with your friends, find the ones you love and nurture those relationships. Don’t take advantage of them. It’s also critical to diversify your creative endeavors. It’s valuable to weigh the odds of different ventures, but ultimately more valuable to keep yourself artistically healthy, and “staying in your lane” is just so limiting. If you like it – study it, practice it, and see where that journey takes you.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Probably “The Trouble With Being Born” by Emil Cioran. Ironic, I know, but something about Cioran’s brand of nihilism just really resonates with me and I find it liberating and comforting. I think it’s really beautiful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brendanmcgowan.com
• Instagram: @unholyroman

Image Credits

Alex Krauss, Jesse Bonnell