Meet Landon LaRue | Writer & Director, Digital Marketing for Theatrical Entertainment

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

Hi Landon, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I probably say “you gotta risk it for the biscuit” at least a few times a week. My philosophy is we know the outcome of a situation if we don’t take the risk and if the reward isn’t what we want, weigh the worst against the reward (I probably ask “what’s the worst that could happen?” every day).

When I was younger, I wanted to become a Supreme Court Justice – even going as far as becoming proficient in Latin in order to make legalese easier to digest. I knew what the path would be stretching from debate team to law school to internships and pro bono cases all the way to the judge’s chamber. One summer, I interned at the United Nations and The Council on Foreign Relations and being in New York City, I was surrounded by art, fashion, and film.

Every night, I would go to a local cinema to drink in all of the independent films, blockbusters, documentaries, experimental shorts, and by the end of my internships, I knew deep in my bones, I was meant for storytelling. I understood film and television has a larger impact than policy because it’s the people who change policy; you have to win over the hearts and minds of the public to participate in elections and motivate them to write in to their representatives and join the marches. It’s the stories that drive change, not my fluency in Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

My biggest risk was tearing up all of my applications to colleges known for their political science curriculum and only applying to one film school; I scoffed at the idea of applying to a “safety school” cause I was all about that risk. I threw out almost a decade of studies and work to chase a new dream because the risk of happiness outweighed the reward of stability. Without taking that risk, I would not be where I am today and looking back, it was a difficult journey but I got the biscuit.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m extremely lucky that I have a career in the entertainment industry as a digital marketing professional that gives me insight to how the business works and helps me build relationships. What other career could I work across all departments of a studio from development, production, integrated, publicity, the list goes on and on… and get to speak directly with the filmmakers and actors during the process and at the premieres? Working for a top-tier studio is something I don’t take lightly and am honored to have the opportunities it grants me. I’m even more lucky to be able to have the time to work on my writing and directing career on the side and use the knowledge gained from my studio experience and the interviews I do on the red carpet. The only place for me to use all these skills is to host my own talk show which is the dream.

I am a true believer that there is no job that is “below” anyone and have the mindset to roll up my sleeves and get down to it. But I’m also a believer there are people who are better than me at any task and will defer to them and their expertise. It’s about knowing what you’re good at and equally, what you’re not good at so you can ask for help. Being a military kid, I never asked for help and I wish I knew that wasn’t a sign of weakness earlier in my career. I would have avoided burnout and may have gotten more enjoyment out of various projects. As someone who works in film, it’s a team effort and I’m always looking for more people to collaborate with because they have experience I don’t have.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m going to answer this as if the pandemic weren’t still a thing – Studio tours: I love sharing movie magic and try to get others to be as obsessed with the movie experience as I am.
I’m really into cocktailing so I would definitely take them to Bar Jackalope inside Seven Grand, Here and Now, Grand Master Recorders, The Walker Inn inside Normandie Club, and Death & Co.
For restaurants, I’m sad to say many of my favorites did not stay open during the shut down but would take them to Bavel, Animal, and Gwen (my personal favorite). For the views, we’d have to do Castaway in Burbank and the rooftop at the Waldorf Astoria.
I also love theme parks and it’s nice to walk and talk with friends who are visiting to catch up on life and it makes the lines go by faster.
If there were a premiere happening while they were visiting, I’d make sure they got to see what I do for work.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In all honesty, there are too many people to mention but I want to shoutout any one who has ever said “tell me more” when they heard a little bit about what I was working on. Those three words really do wonders for someone sharing a creative nugget since those stories usually stem from a vulnerable place.

Instagram: instagram.com/landonlarue