Meet Brad Tobler | Director/Editor

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

Hi Brad, is there something you believe many others might not?
We’ve all heard the phrase “the early bird gets the worm” and maybe even seen the book “The Miracle Morning” that suggests waking up early automatically leads to productivity and success. In fact, these phrases and concepts seem to date back centuries as Benjamin Franklin once said, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Phrases like these have made society believe that the key to success is waking up early and I wholeheartedly disagree.

People have different biological rhythms and varying levels of productivity and creativity when it comes to sleep patterns. As far back as I can remember, I thrived once the sun descended. It was during the overnight hours, where everything was dark and quiet, when I was able to be alone and escape into my creative zone. These are the hours when I taught myself to draw, learned to play the guitar, completed my homework, or escaped into a late night movie. They were my golden hours – my most productive hours.

I’ve continued this practice throughout my adult life and well into my career. While I do believe that sufficient sleep is important, I don’t, however, believe that it has to be at a specific time. I understand that my strength is working at night and I feel fortunate to have found a career that doesn’t require me to punch in at an early hour but rather allows the flexibility of maximizing the hours of which I am the most creative and productive.

Ultimately, it’s important to recognize that everyone’s sleep needs and daily routines differ. Rather than adhering strictly to a one-size-fits-all approach, it’s better to prioritize a balanced lifestyle, quality sleep, and individual productivity patterns to optimize your best performance. The “early to bed and early to rise” principle may not be the best or most realistic approach for everyone. It’s important to find a sleep routine and lifestyle that works best for you and supports your individual needs and goals.

I’m grateful that as a film editor and director, I’ve been able to find success even in the late hours. So I’d like to challenge Ben Franklin’s quote with my own, “go to bed early or go to bed late, how you spend your time will determine your fate.”

Brad Tobler
Director/Editor

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In the 15 years I’ve worked in the film industry, I’ve become uniquely positioned in a way that few ever achieve. First, as an actor, I gained perspective toward the dynamic required to work in front of the camera. This experience led me to my true passion of working behind the camera. Next, as an editor and VFX specialist, I’ve been instrumental in the development of multiple big named tv and movie projects; however, my ambition will not let me stop there. My endless thirst for knowledge and perspective has positioned me to follow my long desired calling as a film director. Over the years, I’ve gained valuable experience working with actors and collaborating with talented production crews. My complete working knowledge of all aspects of the creative process has given me a unique perspective as a director that is unparalleled in the film industry.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I recently had some friends visit from the UK who had never been to the states before, much less Los Angeles. Here is a breakdown of what I showed them during their time here.

We started by spending a weekend on Catalina Island taking in the beautiful view and peaceful ambiance. From there, we headed back to the mainland and stopped at the Queen Mary for a quick tour. We then had dinner at one of my favorite places, the 94th Aerosquadron, where you can eat on a cozy outdoor patio while watching planes land at the Van Nuys airport. Throughout the week, we visited some famous local spots like Beverly Hills, Venice Beach and the Hollywood sign. Some of the highlights from the week were when I took them to a Dodgers game and they experienced their first Dodger dog and spending a very unique night at the famous Magic Castle.

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?
There are 3 key people that have really helped me get where I am today. The first is Kenny Ortega, who took me under his wing, showed me what was possible, and introduced me to some incredible opportunities. The second is Kevin Blank, who has continuously opened doors for me and had faith that I can accomplish tomorrow more than I have today. Lastly, my wife Megan, who has showed continued support for everything I’ve gone through in my career.

Website: www.bradtobler.com

Instagram: @bradtobler

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradtobler/

Facebook: facebook.com/bradtobler

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf7S8ii3Ry7Sz2Kur2eFVzQ

Image Credits
Julia Johnson Ashley Carlos Gareth Taylor