Meet Daniel Marsh | Director & Media Artist

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

Hi Daniel, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from the great state of Michigan. I think that growing up in a place where people are known for being raised with family oriented values and a strong sense of community shaped the way I approach both life and work. There’s a deep rooted pride in supporting one another and showing up for your neighbors. Those values have stuck with me after moving to Los Angeles, which can sometimes be a different climate to navigate in that way. I hold those values close, and I implement them in the way I work with teams on creative projects. Working in a creative field can often come with a lot less structure than other professions and the stress of meeting deadlines can be stifling, so looking out for each other is important. Collaboration is truly how things get done around here.

Lots of people living in Los Angeles are from other places, but I think there is something special about Michigan and our connection to nature especially. I think it’s given me a slightly different perspective creatively too. California has beautiful nature as well, but the camping, boating, and swimming in Michigan is just different. It’s such a different landscape than the west coast, and it’s a big part of what I cherish most about my home state.

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 think something I’m proud of is never settling on being just one thing. As a creative, I’m often asked “what I do”, and that answer is never simple because I don’t like to be put in boxes or settle for contributing in only one way. I’ve worn many hats over the years and worked on all scale of projects – from Emmy nominated TV shows to fashion shoots and music videos. And throughout these projects my roles have developed and shifted. I’ve been a post production supervisor, a director, a casting assistant, a photographer, a cinematographer… the list is always growing. While my goal has always been directing, I take pride in participating in all facets of the creative world and enjoy being any part of a broader vision. I think while some people in the entertainment world fear being a “Jack of all trades, and master of none”, I believe it makes me well rounded as a creative to have explored so much.

The one thing that remains consistent in my personal work though is the style I’ve built over the years. It’s a rewarding feeling when someone tells me “this video is very you”, or “I could tell that you shot that”, because it reassures me that people have come to understand what to expect from me as a creative, and I think that’s cool.

I think that the key to growing and adapting to the hurdles that can come with working as a media creative is to keep momentum and to never stop learning. Nobody has all the answers or knows everything, so always proceed with an open mind and a “let’s get it done” attitude and you’ll be surprised at what you accomplish.

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?
Oof, that’s a tough one. There is so much to do in this city and even after living here for 7 years, I’m still discovering new favorite things. A beach day for sure – maybe a trip to Malibu or down to Redondo Beach so we could get poke bowls at Jus’ Poke. I’d definitely suggest a hike or a drive in the Hollywood hills to take in a view, or visit a rooftop bar and grab a drink. Grandmaster Recorders, Bar Lis, or Desert 5 Spot for the best views and vibes in Hollywood. Maybe a stroll through the Venice canals too – I love the peacefulness of that area.

It also wouldn’t be an LA trip without an iced coffee beverage from Maru in Los Feliz. My roster of favorite coffee shops is quite extensive and always growing. I think a pasta dinner at Maccheroni Republic downtown would be a perfect end of day activity. Every pocket of LA has such different things to offer, and I love that about it, but it certainly takes time to explore it and immerse yourself in it.

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?
Absolutely! I would not have achieved so many goals without the network of friends and family I have – both in Michigan and here in Los Angeles. I owe a shoutout to my mentors in the television world who taught me what I know about working on a TV show. From script to final cut, it’s truly a massive team effort, and I’ve been so lucky to have met such great people who were willing to teach me the ropes as we worked.

I also want to dedicate some love to my creative friends who I’ve collaborated with on passion projects and various shoots throughout the years. I truly believe the best art is created when you collaborate – so thank you to those who’ve contributed new perspectives and built on ideas with me. Nothing brings me more joy than working with talented friends that are equally as passionate about reaching creative goals.

Website: https://www.danielmarshmedia.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-marsh-media/