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

Hi Andrew, what do you attribute your success to?
Without a doubt, my greatest successes came from offering my hand and simply saying “Hello, I’m Andrew Roberts, here’s what I have to offer, how can we work together?” An honest assessment of my skills, goals, and vision (both creative and professional) allows me to accurately collaborate or market myself to those who make the most sense. Simple conversations with representatives and those in a chosen industry lead to more opportunities than simply relying on Indeed or LinkedIn. I strive to never oversell or undersell my skills but never forget that there is always room to learn and grow.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a teacher, I spent a lot of time searching for and building curriculum. Through this search I noticed that so many high school programs relied on the “old school” way of teaching film not on the way students learn today. I began rewriting and creating new curriculum for multi-level film and TV classes designed around how student best learn. Is it important to teach about the invention of film and the classics? Of course, but not if you want to hook the students right from the beginning. Through several years of observation, we determined that you had a much greater chance of students staying with a program if you got a camera in their hands within two weeks of the first day. If you start with history and theory, which is how it was done when I was younger, the student interest would often wane. We need to remember that students today learn differently than they did when I was a kid and even film programs need to evolve.
This thought process led me to begin working on partner programs with some of the industries leading manufacturers and retailers. I am brand loyal, so I approached companies that I trusted like LUMIX, Tilta, Sirui, and Hollyland looking to create opportunities for my students to gain real world experience with professional level gear. Along with my friends and mentors Neil Matsumoto and Matt Frasier at LUMIX, together we wrote a practical and adaptable first year film and television curriculum for high schools. Their vision and insight proved invaluable when putting it together. This partnership has led to my students working with many LUMIX cameras and me becoming a LUMIX Ambassador.
This all took time and effort.

As a freelancer for over 30 years, I learned that it took more than skill to market yourself. Too often students and professionals are encouraged to focus solely on a specific career path or specialty; I firmly believe that be sought after, you need to learn as much as you can so that you are a value to employers in differing positions. I call this being hirable. Focusing on only one job (cinematographer, director, audio, etc) limits your ability to learn and grow in your field. I always tell my students, I love Tarantino but if I hire him as a grip and he can’t wind cables properly, I can’t use him. I learned that we need to stop lying to students and young professionals telling them they can all graduate college and become Oscar winners overnight; this just doesn’t happen often. So, what better way to stay tuned to the industry than to learn as many aspects of it as possible. Find what you love the most and hyperfocus on that but still, be hirable. Learn the other parts of the job (grip/electric, audio, scripty, etc) and you’ll work from the beginning building up your resume, learning on-set protocols, and growing contacts. This isn’t easy and it takes time and patience, but I have learned that this pays off tenfold if you work at it. I have the best job in the world, I teach kids how to make movies, I help create films, and I work with an amazing camera company; what more could I ask for in my career?

Recently, I became a founding member of the Independent Filmmakers Guild of America. Our goal is to provide indie filmmakers, content creators, and other entertainment professionals resources and learning opportunities to further their careers. Indie film has exploded with the digital age but, the guild is deigned to help guide creatives to a more professional pathway.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This one is a bit tough for me… I am a transplant from NJ so I am just learning LA myself. I try to avoid the tourist traps whenever possible but for me, I look for the most photogenic locations.

Day one though, In N Out Burger. If you are from the East Coast and have never had one, it is a day one requirement. Then, a California sunset from the Malibu Pier. Touristy, yes, but you can’t beat that view.

My best friend loves the touristy stuff so, Hollywood would be next. The TCL Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame, he just eats all of that up.

Next, the Griffith Observatory. This is just a cool place to take in the view, to get a sense of how spread out LA is.

We’d have to hit up Phillipe for a French Dip. They claim to be the original and it is really good.

Finally, Venice Beach. It’s iconic and my buddy would love the place. The people, the environment, the visual ties to GTA5, he’d love it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt there are a few people that I owe my success to. First and foremost, my mentor and brother in film, Brian Barsuglia. This man has taught me more in the 8 years I have known him than I could have ever imagined. Filmmaking, editing, teaching, and photography; Brian has given me more than he will ever know in both skills and opportunity.

The Johnny has taught me about client relations, kindness, and always looking out for the guy working next to you. He is family and there are not enough words to express how much i love this man. Who’d have thought that working at a scenery shop in 2000 would lead me to being the director of a film and media department at a very prestigious school and allow me to work on such amazing creative projects.

I would never be as successful as I am now without the love and support of Amy Roberts, Rob Duane, David and Andrea Roberts, John Cattanach, Kenny Connolly, and all of my past, present, and future students. But, the person who inspires me the most every day to be a better me is my little monkey Eleanor. This kid is creative and amazing and never lets me forget how awesome the world can be.

And of course, Deanna Kent. She has been the greatest support I could ever ask for. Deanna is brilliant, patient, and above all kind. She shares her perspective with me, builds me up, dreams with me, and keeps me grounded when I need it most. When I need a compass, I can count on her to be the needle to point the way.

Website: ifgamerica.org

Instagram: @film_photo_teach

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-roberts-764755118

Image Credits
Andrew Roberts

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