Meet Dusan Brown | Writer-Director-Actor

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

Hi Dusan, how do you think about risk?
I embrace risks as it often occurs during pivotal moments throughout my life. I don’t think I would’ve accomplished many of the things I’ve wanted in life, without taking risks. Risk, for me, appears in one’s life in a moment of growth or change. A moment when you get to decide… do I take life into my own hands, along with the accountability regardless of the results, or continue to work inside the box of comfortability… and complacency the world works to keep you in. I LIVE for moments where I’m forced to take a big risk, my adrenaline amps up, my sensory and decision making skills are ignited, and the payoff is often when I learn and grow, the most. Every film I make is a risk. Every time I’m vulnerable in the midst of telling a story, writing a screenplay or creating a pitch deck, it’s a risk. I’ve always been a curious person, always striving to better my craft, better myself.

The entire creation of our senior thesis, GO, was a huge risk. Trying to squeeze four locations into one short film is “ambitious” and can be pretty challenging, especially if your finale scene is a wrestling championship and you NEED an indoor stadium-like location or large gym, and although your location scouts are going well, it’s the summer and the decision makers won’t return until super close to when principal photography’s scheduled to start. Hahaha

We faced no after no, from one school district to another. It was a difficult pill to swallow, because after location scouting all summer, and following all the protocol and filing all appropriate paperwork, and going back and forth with the Board, over about a month’s time, we were still told NO. We could’ve given up and pushed our shoot date back, but all the crew, actors and everything else was aligned – rescheduling, was NOT an option. We revisited a location scouted earlier, not our first choice because they didn’t have wrestling mats and required A LOT more production design than scheduled. But after running it by our kick butt, hard-working production designer, Jenna Murray, and her team… once she was onboard, we took the risk and booked Cal State Fullerton! This was literally a few hours down to the wire, before our University’s greenlight committee’s deadline. So with just three days before Day 1 of our shoot, we persevered, pivoted and it paid off! We quickly shifted to full steam ahead, and were able to use that one venue as three different locations.

Foothill High School loaned us their wrestling mats, our PD crew moved the mats from room to room to differentiate each “location” called for by the script, and based on the scenes shot that day… we made it work. We had to move quickly and efficiently. Not paying attention to detail could have come back to bite us, but that, too, was a risk I was willing to take to get the film made. I’m grateful that PD and the entire crew pulled through. I’m grateful for all they did to help pull it off, and hope they’re proud of what we made.

Being willing to take risks and having faith that the outcome will elevate whatever the thing is that I’m being in service to, is how I know I’m on the right path and on to something. Even if I fail, there’s always something to learn. I think the thought and feeling of failure is what prevents more people from taking risks, but my philosophy is to fail fast, learn, pivot and keep growing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from other artists as a storyteller of the future, I’d say, is mostly my intense curiosity and ability to enhance the truth enough to make it interesting. I’ve also developed a visual style that’s raw and visceral yet a unique perspective combined with a fresh, relatable voice for my generation.

I’m most proud and excited about my future as a whole. I have a plethora of films, TV shows, video games, and even commercials and a play I want to create that I feel is in reach. If I keep pushing and growing by stretching to reach the things just in my grasp, I will ONLY grow and get better, as a filmmaker. I’m also extremely excited for the trust and relationships I’ve built, thus far, and will build in the future. I’m eager to see how my friends/colleagues and I blossom into this next generation of filmmakers.

Getting to where I am today took a LIFETIME of work – I’ve literally been working professionally and operating in the entertainment industry, my entire life time. Initially, as a union actor with over 40 professional credits with major studios, networks, and brands, and for the past ten years, as an emerging filmmaker having directed, written, produced either independently or in collaboration with peers and other professionals, well over 40 productions. From my perspective and what I’ve observed over the past 20+ years, the challenge of it all is/was, and most likely will be, managing my mental health in a world that moves so fast, it unfortunately rewards those who don’t.

I’m still making the mental paradigm shift to not feed into overworking myself but remembering that it’s my life to live, and not a race, AT ALL. Also, I try hard not to get caught up in what’s happening with the next person over, which can cause me to lose my track, self, and drive. Growing up as an athlete, and with two military vets as parents, I’m working to rewire a few brain cells. Lol But seriously, this is the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far, because it’s the one that’s helped me to realize that my craft can’t take me anywhere… I have to be the one to pick up the torch and decide which way to walk. Waiting for someone or something, such as my artform or industry vets to tell me what to do, who to talk to or where to go, would be a complete waste of my art. So I choose to use all the gifts God’s bestowed upon me, in the hopes of uplifting… entertaining… connecting with others as we experience life.

And if anyone’s interested in seeing my work and following my journey to make my first feature, hit me up on Insta @dusanbrown or come check out my short film, GO, while it’s on the festival circuit. It’s a raw, visceral exploration of the unspoken battles that come with high-performance sports, mental health, and self-identity. It’s a psychological journey into the mind of a college wrestler battling the crushing weight of expectation, and so far is an official selection at these dope film festivals:

– Los Angeles Shorts International (Academy Qualifying); We premiere Sunday, July 20th @ 5:30pm during Program 27 Block of Shorts at Regal LA Live in DTLA

– XL Fest (Chicago) August 15-17; will screen as part of their XL Labs segment (2024 Pitch Fest Winner)

– NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Screening; August 18-23

– Hip Hop Film Festival (New York) August 21-24

– National Black Film Festival (Houston) August 28-31

– San Antonio International Black Film Festival; October 2-5

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since relocating from Chicago, I’ve always lived in the Valley, so I’m reppin’ for “my hood.” hahaha And now that I’ve graduated college (Chapman University Dodge College of Film & Media Arts), venturing out and exploring other parts of LA is on my bucket list. Lol

But first on this list, for sure we’d have to hit up a museum. California has some of the most beautiful, interesting museums I’ve ever seen, and I visited “Living van Gogh” in Portugal, so… I’m not saying I’m some art aficionado, but I do love seeing a nice painting with a riveting story behind it… so we’d definitely check out the Getty.

Then for some solid food, like a REALLY juicy, decadent burger, making a stop at The Counter is a must. Aroma Coffee & Tea for the freshest salads, and Eat NoHo for THE BEST breakfast foods. But if we’re craving some CRAZY pizza that week, Lucifers is the joint – shout out GOD, cause we don’t mess with spirits… but LUCIFERS PIZZA GOOO CRAZZZYYY! I can’t lie. lol

There’s some fun bowling alleys in the area, too. They’re getting a little expensive, but you can’t beat the fun at PINZ. I myself used to work there as a Porter, so I can guarantee good service. A few miles up the street, nearby is Universal City Theme Park / Citywalk. Both are HIGH LEVEL FUN. You really can’t go wrong in this area! ALSO not too far away, is a BANGIN’ sandwich shop called Archies Deli. I’m not gonna say anything else about it, because low-key I wanna gatekeep, but that’s exactly why I’m telling YOU, dear reader. Enjoy.

Check this out, though. If you’re a partier, like a raver, downtown LA is THE PLACE FOR YOU! Every abandoned building that looks empty… SECRET RAVE. You just gotta know the right people. My brother (goes by DanteThePoet) used to be a raver so, lol he’s taken me to a few!

That’d be my itinerary!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely! My list is long, but you asked. Lol Bear with me. Hahaha First I want to give a SHOUT OUT to my mother and father, not only for teaching, guiding me to be an upstanding human being, but also for pouring into me as an artist, for trusting that if I’m taking a risk, at least I’ve tried to calculate it. ah-ha. Mom, you’ve helped me grow at an exponential rate that I definitely wouldn’t have achieved without your firm yet gentle guidance. Each step of the way, each obstacle crossed, you consistently teach me how to maneuver this industry while keeping my head on straight and redirecting and catching me, when I feel overwhelmed and anxious about my future and current projects. So… shout out to mom! On the creative side, Dad, you’ve helped and shaped some of my best stories, reinforced and strengthened my story structure, and the art of storytelling, overall… I love you both, and can’t wait to share our pipeline of stories with the world.

As for my mentors, I’d like to thank Ms. Kimberley Browning who’s been a huge advocate of my art since high school after meeting during YoungArts Week as a winner. She’s a master at forcing me to research and stretch my story ideas to the most minute details, uncovering my characters’ wants. Each time I get off a call with her, I’m even more energized, ready to take on whatever challenges we just talked through. Ms. Katrelle Kindred, although having met her within the past two years, has immediately poured into me as a young director. She really helps me to visualize the overall true, unfiltered job of a director, by talking to me about onset and offset directing etiquette or ideas on how to communicate with actors. Mr. Andrew Roberts, to be a 2x Emmy Winner and Oscar Nominee, The Academy GOLD Rising Program couldn’t have matched me with a better mentor. He’s a VFX GOAT, who really gets me as a multi-faceted creative with a desire to integrate technology in the most minimalist way possible yet also helps me to elevate my storytelling.

I want to give a SHOUT OUT to all of the programs I was involved with throughout college and currently for helping me to evolve at every step of my creative life. Whenever I find myself questioning my ability and wanting to challenge myself, I find at least three other people from either of these programs, wanting to grow and do the same. They say “iron sharpens iron,” and because of these organizations, I’ve discovered some damn sharp tools in the sheds!

THANK YOU Ghetto Film School for giving me my first taste of making a short film, my first summer as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed FILMMAKER at 12, and for the continued support, invitations and resources over the years! THANK YOU YoungArts for always believing in me and showing me that my work threshold, ability to work under pressure, and communications skills, are WAY higher than I even understood. That Miami Week of learning, taught me so much about myself, and exposed me to a higher-level of filmmaking. It wouldn’t be until after being introduced again to many of those filmmaking tools, while in college, that I realized just how much of a head start you all actually gave us! SHOUT OUT to the EICOP and Emma Bowen Foundation, for being a safe, tried and TRUE ridge for repressed voices. You’ve changed the lives of so many, and know that although my time was brief in the program, I really appreciate being a part of the family! Last but not least, a massive THANK YOU to the Academy GOLD Rising program. The summer cohort was life changing for me. Not only did I gain access to like-minded, hard working, talented, young filmmakers and endless top-tier level panels and resources, but being chosen to work closely with the producers and serving as production coordinator was an enriching experience I’ll never forget!

And THANK YOU Chadwick Boseman for bestowing upon me, “The Alchemist.” The words you wrote in there for me, I live by, daily and they’ve helped me stretch, grow, shape myself, and my world, far beyond what I could have imagined possible.

Website: www.DusanBrown.net (coming soon)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dusanbrown

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

Twitter: No longer uses this platform

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/dusanbrownfans

Other: IMDb http://www.imdb.me/dusanbrown
Vimeo https://vimeo.com/user97581765
Twitch https://twitch.tv/duslife

Image Credits
Mario Carranza
Dusan Brown
Annika Lang
Desiree Saddler