We were lucky to catch up with Robert Brody recently and have shared our conversation below.
Robert, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Watching older, and generally superior films is key in keeping my creativity alive. The current business model for the film industry is fairly poor for profits as well as artistic expression. But go back 25 years or more and you begin to see far stronger material. Go back 50-75 years and the artistic levels are even higher with more focus on good storytelling. Studying the “old stuff” is what keeps me on track. No one appears to be capable of making a film on the level of Sunset Boulevard in 2024, but its existence is proof that it certainly is possible to hit a cinematic high-note once again.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In 2014, while working as a yacht broker, I wrote a screenplay that went on to win gold at the prestigious Page International Screenplay Awards competition. This led to Hollywood representation and I made the somewhat nutty decision to move my family out to Los Angeles and pursue a career in film. It was a dubious choice of passion over logic, but I have no regrets. I’ve created a slate of projects and in 2023 I wrote and directed Galaxies, a proof-of-concept short film that is currently enjoying a successful festival run. To date, Galaxies is the official selection in 11 festivals and has won eight awards. The feature version screenplay has also won awards, with plans to shoot it in the fall. My plan, along with my dedicated partners, is to build a production company that will focus on superior development methodology that will allow for better films. Galaxies is the humble beginnings of that process.
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 think my parent’s love of film and nature were key in my outlook and development. I also think that films can help “raise” us as human beings. You can learn about sacrifice by watching Casablanca and you can guard against greed by watching Citizen Kane. Whether it’s in a film like Dances with Wolves or Jaws, the best and worst of who we are is encapsulated in movies. With that in mind, I urge young writers and filmmakers to study older films to build the best foundation possible. Absorb the classics because todays Oscar winners cannot compare. I have a nineteen year old son and we both talk about how he has so little to enjoy in film compared to what came before. Where is his Star Wars or Back to the Future or Raging Bull? He lives in a cinematic world of reboots and sequels and fresh creative material is exceedingly rare. But this does not have to be the way of things!
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Getting people to believe in your vision is always going to be a key challenge. The movie industry does not attract a lot of people with refined tastes or even basic artistic interests. Most are only interested in fame and fortune, so you really have to fight to find people with heart and vision. Unless you can fund your own projects, this means filmmakers have a tough battle on their hands. The film industry is comprised mainly of sellers. Just 1% are buyers and even if you can connect with a few of those, you’ll need something very special to gain their support without a pre-existing relationship. Thus far I’ve been fairly lucky. I’ve managed to connect with a talented group of people who also want to make better films. In most cases this should also allow for healthy profits. In the end it’s going to be an artists ability to handle rejection on a regular basis that will help them find success. You’re going hear the word “no” a lot! Move on. maintain your enthusiasm and drive and eventually you may actually get your project made!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Galaxiesfilm.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcjC-W5OmAs
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