Meet Brian Barsuglia | Filmmaker, Photographer, Surfer, Creative Artist

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

Hi Brian, what is the most important factor behind your success?
MOPSFIB. Morals, optimism, perseverance, strength, faith, intelligence, and bravery. Morals – to try and be a good person and make ethical choices. Optimism – to approach life and challenges with a positive attitude. Perseverance – to continue forward, to never give up. Strength – in mind, body, and attitude. Faith – in myself, in those around me, and the ideals that guide me. Intelligence – a willingness to continually learn, grow, share, accept, and adapt. And bravery – the desire to take chances and keep creating.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I have always been independent-minded, and I started my first production business way back in high school when I was 16. That first effort was called Very Cheap Productions. Even then I knew my budget limitations! Over the years, the business and the purpose have evolved and changed, finally landing on its current iteration – Koa Aloha Media.

I have been involved in filmmaking and video production for most of my life, decades now. I have directed 10 feature films and been involved with many more. I live and breathe in the world of indie and low-budget filmmaking. It’s a chance to be creative, work with like-minded people, see a project come alive from concept to creation, and share my passions.

I have always been driven by my creative side. My goal has never been riches or fame but to create, complete, and share, and to surround myself with people with similar goals.

I think my success has been largely driven by my desire to continue and keep creating. You’re never too young to start and you’re never too old to start again.

To quote a movie, “The Dude abides.” And to quote its meaning from Wikipedia, “…one should relax, enjoy the simple pleasures of life, be generally tolerant of others, maintain equanimity in the face of adversity, and encourage others to do the same.”

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 work with a lot of film festivals, helping on the technical side. One landmark people love to visit is the TCL Chinese Theatre. It has a classic vibe and lets people experience a part of Hollywood nostalgia. Is it the best time ever? I don’t know. Maybe for some. Regardless, it’s pretty cool. And, of course, there’s the beaches. For me, personally, that’s the best time ever. Even in Southern California, there are still a few, out of the way, hard-to-reach beaches too. Those are the places I like to take people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and close friends. These are my greatest mentors, the true influencers of my life.

Website: https://koaalohamedia.com

Instagram: @koaalohamedia

Linkedin: @koaalohamedia

Twitter: @koaalohamedia

Facebook: @koaalohamedia

Other: TikTok @Koaalohamedia

Image Credits
On-set images credited to Andrew Roberts (used with permission) Outdoor images credited to Sierra Barsuglia (used with permission)