Meet Eric Salberg | Director, Writer, Producer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Salberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Eric, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My perspective on risk is that it’s a necessary part of growth. Without it, there’s no real opportunity for meaningful reward. I try not to view risk as something inherently negative, but rather as something to evaluate, understand, and take intentionally.
A defining example for me was leaving everything behind in Chicago about 12 years ago to move west and pursue a career in film and television production. That decision ultimately led to an even bigger risk more recently. Self-financing my directorial debut, Your Biggest Fan.
In both cases, I weighed the potential downside against the long-term upside and realized that the greater risk would have been not pursuing those opportunities and living with “what ifs.”
That mindset has shaped how I approach both my career and decision-making. I’m comfortable taking calculated risks when there’s a clear vision and a strong belief in the outcome.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work tends to live at the intersection of genre and character. I’m really drawn to stories that use something like horror as a vehicle, but are ultimately about very real, human behavior. Obsession, identity, validation, and the ways people distort themselves to be seen.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t wait for permission, I build and execute. That’s really defined my path. Most recently, I self-financed, wrote, produced, and directed a feature film, which forced me to live in every layer of the process. From creative decisions down to logistics and problem-solving on set.
It definitely wasn’t an easy road. There’s no clear blueprint for this, and a lot of it has been trial by fire. Figuring things out in real time, navigating constraints, and learning how to make decisions quickly and confidently. But that pressure is also where I’ve grown the most. It’s made me more resourceful, more decisive, and more protective of my vision.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that taste and ideas only take you so far, execution is everything. Being able to actually bring something to life, especially under pressure, is what separates people in this industry. I’ve also learned how important it is to build a team that you trust, because filmmaking at its core is collaboration.
As far as what I want people to know about me, I’m someone who takes big swings and commits fully. I’m interested in telling stories that feel a little dangerous, a little uncomfortable, but still grounded in something real. And I take a lot of pride in not just developing ideas, but actually bringing them to life. As far as stories are concerned.. I still have a lot more to tell, so sit back and get your popcorn ready.
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?
Let me answer this by telling you my favorite way to spend a day with the people I care about most.
I’d start the morning at home, making breakfast for everyone. If I’m being honest, there aren’t many spots in Los Angeles that beat my own kitchen. Then we’d hop in the car and grab a coffee or something from Three Sisters Coffee on the way to the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park.
We’d spend some time there just walking around, taking it all in. My son Sebastian, my best friend Corey, and myself sharing popcorn and peeping all the animals.
After that, we’d head back home to grab my pup, JellyBean, and take her out for a walk, maybe over to Tacos Azteca for some tacos, then continue along the Chandler path.
And honestly, I’d end the day pretty simply, back home, on the couch, giving JellyBean belly rubs, surrounded by the people I love… probably with Paw Patrol on in the background.
In my view, the most fun, interesting, and exciting people are the ones I get to spend my everyday life with. My best friends in this whole wide world.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d say first and foremost, my mother, Sherry. She really pushed me to embrace a less conventional path and never made me feel like I had to follow a “safe” route. That kind of encouragement early on gave me the confidence to take risks that ultimately shaped my career.
Some very close friends, who I now view more as family, have also played a huge role. They’ve been incredibly supportive along the way, especially during the moments where things weren’t certain or easy. Having people around you who believe in what you’re building, even when it’s still taking shape, makes a big difference.
Of course, my fiancée, and best friend, Corey as well. She’s been by my side for the last six years and has been a constant source of support, love, and patience through all the ups and downs. When you’re taking big swings, having someone steady in your corner like that is invaluable.
More recently, my son, Sebastian. He came into my life almost three years ago, and in a lot of ways, he’s added a new level of purpose and drive. He’s sparked something in me to really go after what I want to build. Not just for myself, but for him too.
None of what I’ve done happens in a vacuum. I’ve been really fortunate to have people around me who’ve supported the journey… and I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a quick shoutout to my dog, Jellybean, who’s always there with a warm belly to rub.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/director_salberg/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-salberg-26365a26b/
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