Meet Lex Halaby | Creative Director

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

Hi Lex, how do you think about risk?
I’ve always thought of risk as a catalyst for growth. The biggest swings of my career have always led to the most rewarding outcomes. I’ve learned from every success and every failure, but if I don’t push the boundaries of my comfort zone I stop growing as a Creative. Early in my career risks helped me find my creative voice through trial and experimentation. As I found my voice risks became more about pushing the boundaries of my capabilities and expanding my creative vision. As a Director, I constantly need to stay inspired and nothing gets my mind humming more than upping the stakes with high-risk high-reward creative ventures.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always felt a bit cursed by my brain chemistry. Throughout my life people have said I’m a fairly balanced left and right brain thinker. On the surface that sounds like a good thing, but underneath I was always jealous of the truly great right-brain creative geniuses. Seeing my creative idols fabricate legendary stories, seemingly out of thin air, was a barometer I constantly measured myself against. For a long time I struggled against the pragmatism parts of my brain, trying to quiet the inner monologue. But as I grew more comfortable with myself I began to listen to it. Suddenly my inspiration came easier, my pitches became more clear, and my execution became more consistent. Only after I succumbed to both sides of my thinking did I truly feel at home with myself and my work.

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?
Having lived in Los Angeles more than 20 years it’s hard to squeeze everything into a week but I’ll take a shot. Things on the must-do list would include; seeing John Williams conduct at the Hollywood Bowl, visiting LACMA, watching the stars from Griffith Park Observatory, going to a Dodger game, strolling along the rocky shoreline of Leo Carrillo Beach, eating bone marrow at Bestia, and sipping on Ray’s Mistake a Tiki Ti.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents. Both Palestinian refugees who came to America in pursuit of a new life, they never once tried to dissuade me from a career in the arts in favor of a more traditional path. My love of filmmaking was fostered and encouraged in ways I can only appreciate now as an adult.

Website: www.lexhalaby.com

Instagram: @lexhalaby