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

Hi Travis, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
Moving to Los Angeles to escape the opioid epidemic that continues to ravage the Northeast. I was 24 years old and completely lost. With about 80 dollars in an account, a backpack full of clothes, and one connection to help me find a place to sleep here. The decision to get on that plane will continue to define the rest of my life. It’s almost 10 years later now and it’s crazy that the most difficult thing I’ve ever decided to do is probably the reason I’m even alive today. At the time it was terrifying, but I met so many beautiful people who helped me along the way and followed my own story. Now I’m able to use that decision as perspective and motivation. I was a broken person on that plane and I never have to be again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Doing anything in film and television is difficult, all the different budget levels and sizes of shows have their own barriers that need to be broken through for you to even get onto set. These normally aren’t positions that anyone can just apply for, you need representation, union affiliation, or at the very least a damn good reputation. I’ve gotten where I am today by having a vision, then communicating that vision effectively and kindly to at least get close to the desired result. What’s important to me now is ownership over what I create. I’ve spent a lot of time on other people’s projects, and from that I’ve been able to learn the power of process and apply that to my own works. I’m currently directing a film in Montana where I’m able to exercise this process in a piece that’s my own.

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?
I’m a sucker for my own neighborhood here in West Hollywood, breakfast at Canter’s, a mid-day movie movie at the Grove, a slice from Bobby’s Pizzeria, and some drinks at Mr. Furley’s. That’s a great Saturday for me, but any friends or family in town usually get the tourist treatment and I’ll adventure a bit more. We’ll get the Upriser burrito at Bird’s Nest Cafe in downtown, a little souvenir from the tourist shops on Hollywood Blvd. and some KBBQ at Bulgogi Hut. Maybe we’ll get crazy and venture to the west side or the valley, all while I point out various houses and businesses to tell them we shot the movie “blank” there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The impact that the following people have had on me is immeasurable: Bob, Penny, Hunter, Angelica, Auston, Oliver, Lane, Jon, Dirk, Bryan, & Goosies. I love you all very much.

Website: https://www.travispilat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traviswest.exe/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-pilat-238273a9/

Image Credits
@dirkfensty

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