Meet Caleb Phillips | Film Director

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

Hi Caleb, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I was raised by two very success oriented parents, so unlearning workaholic tendencies has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Deep down I’d rather hermit away and work myself to death, and I know that if that actually got results I’d still be doing it. But it doesn’t. My 20’s were riddled with mental breakdowns, and the work still suffered. Now in my 30’s I feel like I’ve gotten a slight grip on balance. For me that looks like, taking the weekends off, having accepting when I fall short of a goal, investing in relationships, and above all else: routine. Even when things are bad, even when I’m lonely – I read, write, exercise, drink less, see friends – repeat. The work gets much better when I’m balanced. Forgetting that and remembering it is also part of the balance.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
All I’ve ever wanted was to direct suspense. When I was 14 my dad showed me Silence of the Lambs and Se7en on his 14″ TV in his office, and until that moment I didn’t know movies could be that good.

My first attempt was a horror film called “Other Side of the Box”. My goal was a story that had no fat and that was ruthlessly suspenseful. Something you couldn’t look away from. There’s a paradox I’m trying to master between mystery and suspense. Where the audience is DIYING to solve the puzzle, but regrets learning the secrets. I want to scare people in ways they don’t know they can be.

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.
I’m a quality time person, so probably Griffith Park, then a boozy meal, I recently started going to Ramen Melrose for sushi and I’m hooked, then go to some kind of show. I’ve been obsessed with musical improv at “The Club”. I think it’s 1607 N Vermont Ave. every 1st and 3rd Wednesday “Candy Apple Red” performs and it’s the hardest I laugh. It’s all donation based and they’ve got free drinks in a cooler. Tiny little theater. Anyway, I’d probably end the night with that.

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?
I’d love to give a shoutout to Katie C’etta who’s battling breast cancer right now and is one of the strongest people I know. She’s an actress, producer, dog mom, and close friend, who’s unyielding in the face of every single challenge that comes her way.

#fuckcancer

Instagram: https://instagram.com/caleb.j.phillips?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA==