Meet Salome Breziner | Director/Producer

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

Hi Salome, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?

Over time, my work-life balance has evolved significantly as my career has progressed and my responsibilities have expanded. Early in my career, while directing and producing my first feature films like “Tollbooth” (1994) and “An Occasional Hell” (1996), the demands were intense, and the hours were long. It was a period of establishing myself, and I had to invest a significant amount of time and energy into my projects, often at the expense of personal time and balance. At that point in my life, I did not have children so I could devote myself mostly to work work work! This was good for my career but not so great for my health! I feel like I was always on the go and rather burnt out yet determined to make my mark.

As I gained more experience and recognition in the industry, my work-life balance began to shift. With roles like showrunner, and producing a wide range of projects, I found myself in a position where I could better manage my schedule and choose projects more strategically. This control allowed me to balance my professional commitments with personal life more effectively.

Currently, with a robust portfolio that includes directing, producing, and writing for various narrative and documentary projects, I have refined my approach to maintain a healthier balance. Leading large teams, orchestrating creative direction, and producing award-winning content have honed my organizational skills, enabling me to be more efficient and focused. My involvement in innovative projects, such as the AI-driven interactive campaign for Corona Light, showcases my ability to integrate technology and creativity, further enhancing my work-life balance. After a health scare and diagnosis, two years ago, I revamped my eating habits, my exercise habits, and have become an avid proponent of meditation. Currently, I run 3 miles a day and I do hot yoga at least three times a week.

Reflecting on my journey, I believe my balance has improved as I have grown professionally. Today, I prioritize both my film work and personal life, understanding that a well-balanced life contributes to my creative output and overall well-being. Balancing intense work periods with personal and family downtime has become a crucial part of my routine, and I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped this evolution.

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.

What sets me apart from others in the filmmaking industry is my compelling storytelling and versatile directing and producing style. I can be quite a chameleon. My unique perspective, shaped by my background and heritage, infuses my work with humor, resilience, empathy, and universal themes. This commitment to transcending borders, languages, and cultures makes me a truly global storyteller. I am proud of my ability to elicit powerful performances from a diverse array of actors and to blur the lines between comedy and drama in a way that resonates with audiences worldwide.

One of the things I am most proud of is the recognition my films have received at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Palm Springs International Film Festival, and Seattle Film Festival. My film “Helicopter Mom” opening OUTFEST with a special Ford Amphitheater Premiere is a standout moment. Additionally, I am excited about my recent and upcoming projects, such as “Feeling Randy,” set for release in November 2024, and “SIRIouslySusan,” currently in development at the Sundance Lab.

Throughout my career, I have learned several valuable lessons. Firstly, the importance of perseverance and dedication cannot be overstated. The early stages of my career were marked by intense work and long hours, but this commitment laid the foundation for my later success. Secondly, I have learned the value of collaboration and creative leadership. Managing diverse teams and leading the creative direction on projects like “Sex Life” (Season 3) has taught me the importance of fostering a collaborative environment. Lastly, innovation is key. Whether integrating AI into interactive branding campaigns or exploring new storytelling techniques, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. You don’t wanna ever become a dinosaur. You have to be ready to pivot and adapt at any moment. And stay light on your feet ha ha.

What I want the world to know about me and my work is that I am deeply committed to creating stories that are not only entertaining but also meaningful and reflective of universal human experiences. My work is characterized by a blend of humor, drama, and a unique visual style that aims to connect with audiences on a profound level. sometimes the connection is pure entertainment, and sometimes it’s heavy or informational… I strive to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and bring fresh, innovative ideas to the screen.

In summary, my journey has been one of growth, learning, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. I feel like I’m only getting started! I know filmmakers who worked until they were in their 90s and I hope to be fortunate enough to be one of them 🙂 I am excited about the future and the opportunity to continue creating impactful, award-winning content that resonates with audiences around the globe.

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.
Los Angeles is a cornucopia of contradictions between a sprawling urban city and the stunning nature that is around us, including mountains, oceans even rivers.

My favorite outdoor activities are hiking in Runyon Canyon, going to the beach in Malibu. There is a hidden beach there called Escondido, and definitely a ski trip up to Mammoth mountain.

My favorite spots are around Los Angeles are usually old-school hangouts. On any given night, you can find me hanging out at the bar and indulging an amazing food at Dan Tanas. Also, top of my list is Musso and Franks, the Little Door, and any Intelligentsia coffee shop mostly the ones in Hollywood and Venice. In the SFV, I really like a wine bar, which is teeny tiny, right on Ventura Boulevard, called BUVETTE.

Best places for Inspiration are walking or running around Lake Hollywood early in the morning, going to the Griffith Observatory at Sunset, and wandering around the strange universe that is Hollywood Boulevard.

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?
Not coming from a family of filmmakers, I found my inspiration in movies I would lose myself in. I made my way to NYU Film school and was fortunate enough to be an assistant to Michael Cimino during his last films. I was very young and absorbed everything in New York City at the time. Filmmakers like Abel Ferrara were around to inspire me and my mentors were everyone from Spike Lee to independent great actors like John Cassavetes longtime muse, Seymour Cassel, who was a formative voice in my head, and also the star of my first feature film.

Later on, I went to be a script supervisor right out of high school and worked with some great directors such as Tim Hunter and Joe Pytka. I learned from an early age to have respect for actors mainly that the second film I was a script supervisor for I was mostly responsible for Faye Dunaway and her dialogue… later, as I developed as a Director, I enjoyed working with interesting independent producer, such as Steven J Wolfe of 500 days of summer fame who produced my first film TOLLBOOTH, and we are still working together today.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0108358/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salome-breziner-2548a4141

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salome.breziner/

Image Credits
Ana Grillo Amy Graves
I have permission to use all the images I have submitted.