Meet Steve Balderson | Film Director & Author

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

Hi Steve, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Did you know there is no such thing as a problem? It’s true. The only thing that exists is your reaction to a situation or challenge that other people might consider a problem. Likewise, risks aren’t really risks. They’re just situations that one moves through to either achieve the desired result, or to find out it didn’t achieve the desired result. And if, in the event the situation wasn’t desirable, it is always possible to go back and make another choice. Oftentimes people are so frozen in the fear of the situation not ending up desirable, that they never do anything. Staying where you are already is comfortable because you already know it. Living the status quo is easy because almost everyone else is doing the same. Doing something different, or taking “risks,” is harmless so long as you realize it’s no big deal and you can make another choice. Everyone has the freedom to choose again. If it doesn’t work out – who cares? Make another choice. I practice this all the time and it has helped me evolve into a healthier human being and stronger film director.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been a film director and screenwriter for more than two decades. And, I’ve just written my first book called “Filmmaking Confidential” which is now available on paperback, audiobook and kindle. One of the greatest lessons I learned was how to have an individual perspective. A singular and unique viewpoint. One that comes from deep inside myself, the essence of my core, and not one that comes to me from others (churches, schools, cultures, and so on). I explain how you can learn to have this, too, in the book.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite restaurants have closed, like Lucques, even before the pandemic. So who knows. Lunch or dinner at Musso & Frank is always fun for non-LA people. I’ve never done a day trip to Catalina Island, so that might be on the horizon whenever someone comes to visit me next.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family. Their encouragement and support helps a great deal.

Website: www.SteveBalderson.com
Instagram: @dikenga
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebalderson/
Twitter: @sbalderson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevebalderson
Other: https://vimeo.com/balderson

Image Credits
All the photos are of me except the one where I’m on set with Sarah Clarke and Xander Berkeley (in our newest film which is currently in post).