Meet brandon swanson | Actor & Filmmaker

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

Hi brandon, what role has risk played in your life or career?
This might sound very forward and bold but risk only means reward for me. I thrive on taking risk and rolling the dice. It might be the adrenaline high one get, but I’ve always been the BRAVE one of my friend groups. First time jumping off a cliff? Brandon you first. Asking friends parents can I spend the night? Brandon ask for us. Being brave and taking risks has followed me my whole life. Growing up in the slums of New York City in the 90’s, danger was all around me, I knew from a early age watching those around, I didn’t want to be like them. But just because I didn’t want to be like them doesn’t mean I couldn’t learn from them. Playing WWE and fighting with my elder cousins, I learned at quite the earlier age what David vs Goliath meant. I didn’t have the power to stand up to my elders but I never feared them. My dad would always tell me after losing. “If you are at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up”. I hold on to those words dearly. Its the reason I joined the military when I was homeless after high school. The risk was deployment to Afghanistan and death, but the reward. The reward was a chance to see the world and make lifelong friends. And guess what, I’m still alive and I’m still moving. Even when it comes to acting and filmmaking, it’s the same thing. You expose yourself, risking life In acceptance and death in humiliation. Whenever someone says there’s a risk involved, I immediately know there is a reward on the other side. You just have to have the will to chance it and a little bit of luck to grab it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is simply about the choice of responsibility. Who are we responsible for and what does it look like? Also the lack of responsibility. The burden of isolation the comes with not looking out for the man or woman to your left or right.

I am most proud of the fact my art resonates with so many people. I’m actually most proud that my art touches my friends and family, yes peers are important but if one can lay the groundwork, those in my family/friends group will will slowly pick up on these foundational principles.

I only got the position I am at in my career because of all the people that has helped me. By myself I might be brave, but in some eyes there’s no difference between being brave and being stupid. I am nothing without my village, my friends, my comrade and my family assisting me and covering up my flaws. I would not be the man I am today without. Wherever I go, they go. In physical or in spirit. I am never alone.

The hardest lesson and the one I still struggle the most with is my ego and pride of myself. Just like Miles Morales in ATSV, his profound sense in self after a year of being Spider-Man ends up creating his worst enemy. One can say the same for me. A lot friends I had in my life have told me deep down they had resented me for my carefree attitude. It’s quite difficult teetering the line of trying to make people laugh and feel good without coming off condescending or high and mighty. It’s very difficult to me. I feel responsible for those around and I don’t want them to be sad. The real gem I’m learning is that sometimes it’s just not my place.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place in the city is a bar called tenant of the trees. It’s a nice little bar in silver or echo lake. (So many lakes) it’s nice low light area is best for me. It a perfect mix of class and humility.

Now if we was to go get something to eat, my friends, family and love interest know we going to Roscoe Chicken & Waffle. I don’t know what they put in there but get me another plate 😂.

It’s weird, I think the best places in LA are just being around your friends. I have had more fun at the beach with 5 friends then at one of these social hubs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jonathan Cortez, Destinee Easley, Randolph Summiel, Sean Dylan Perry, Valerie Torres, Luis Aner, Aeson Rose. Marquise Simmons, Nicholas Barber,

Instagram: Kingswansoniii

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-j-swanson-40b249141?trk=contact-info

Image Credits
Aeson rose – @aesonrose Remo Rivera – @Remo_yashell