Meet Cameron Barrett: Art Director & Production Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cameron Barrett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cameron, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is essential to developing your skills and confidence as a creative. Without it, you would not push yourself to go to the furthest reaches of your potential. When I started seriously pursuing a creative career during college, it felt like a huge risk. What if I fail? What if I’m not good enough? What if I waste a lot of time trying to do something that doesn’t work out? I knew I had good taste, but what if it wasn’t good enough? I feel that this is one of the first and constant “risks” a creative has to push through. The risk that they won’t succeed.

When I started, I used to hesitate taking any risks within my creative field. I wanted to work in a comfortable environment, familiar in every way. But eventually, as my confidence grew, I would lean more into risks because that is what would lead to growth.

After crossing that mental hurdle, the little voice in the back of my head questioning my place in a creative world grew quieter and quieter the more I put myself out there. Each project would be different and I would think to myself, “I did X before, I can do Y now.”

The life of a creative person is full of risks, from spending time on an uncertain project, to even investing into creating something on your own, it all equates to risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I work as a Production Designer and Art Director for the film industry in Los Angeles. I have always prided myself on my ability to match or find references in the projects I’m working on. Nothing brings me more joy than to play homage to or build upon a previous films design or direction in a new and creative way. I am constantly watching new or old movies to create a mental scrapbook of cool ideas I hope to utilize for a future project.

I wasn’t always as confident as I am now. I started as an Art Director quickly out of college. I held a lot of anxiety and nervousness about putting myself out into the world, and it was a huge step for me to start applying to and working on different film projects. I took the leap and applied myself to various student film projects. After gaining some confidence and meeting likeminded individuals, I began to throw myself into more opportunities that would lead myself to bigger projects and showcase my abilities. It was challenging in the beginning, essentially you would have to prove yourself to anyone and everyone that you could accomplish what they needed. Sometimes it would be easy, and sometimes it would take a lot of convincing. Slowly, I began to build a body of work that showcased my natural talent, and even some out of the box skills I didn’t even know I possessed. Every project I got helped build my confidence to find the next bigger and challenging project.

I learned you have to put yourself out there. You will never make it to where you want to be if you can’t do whats needed to get there. It’s important to start small. I started by applying to free student projects to get comfortable with my own talents and to get a small body of work. From there I branched out to short films being produced by companies. Now I primarily work on feature films. At the end of the day, you need to apply to the job and keep applying to the job. Show yourself to the world.

An important lesson I learned during my career is just because you think it’s over, it doesn’t mean that it is. I feel in every artists career there are moments when you think the curtain has closed and you’re going to have to stop doing what you love. In my experience, that always passes if you can move passed it. Things are not always going to work out, especially when you’re working in a creative or artistic field, but you have to have the confidence to stick with it even when you feel you’re at your lowest. In my personal experience, some of my biggest connections came when I was at my lowest and they got me back on my feet, and in a place that was better than before.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week would be tough. I always enjoy entertaining guests at home, watching a movie, hanging out, with drinks and home cooked food, but my favorite spots to take guests have always been Downtown Burbank, it has a wonderful aesthetic, combination of restaurants and movie theater. Hollywood would be another choice for its landmark architecture and night life. You haven’t really been to Los Angeles if you have not been to Hollywood, right? Malibu to Santa Monica would be great for its variety of beaches. I have always been one to enjoy the company of friends no matter where the day takes you. Maybe I’m a bad host? Either way, no mater what restaurant or city, It is always a pleasure to have a friend in Los Angeles.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would thank everyone in my life for helping get to where I am now. The good, the bad, all of them lead me to where I am, and for that I am grateful. The most significant influences in my life would have to be my family, without them I would not have started pursuing my career at all. My Mother Susan, who has always supported me in the direction I wanted to go. My brother Noah, who would encourage the ideas I had and help to make my imagination a reality. My Father Craig, who was the first to show me what real movie magic was, which was the spark that caused me to pursue my career. My best friend Brandon, who has always been someone I could talk to for hours, about anything, and the conversation would never be boring. And my love and constant collaborator Chantal, who always pushes me in the right direction and helps me be the best the best person that I can.

Website: https://cameronsbarrett.wixsite.com/mysite

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambearit/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-barrett-ab3577121/?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cambearit

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.barrett.395

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7797901/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1