Meet Valerie Brandy | Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Director, Actress, & Author

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

Hi Valerie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I became a filmmaker and screenwriter because I believe movies teach us how to be our best selves. By watching heroes succeed, fail, struggle, and try, we start to imagine how we could be better. How we could DO better, out there in the real world. Fictional narratives give us a chance to imagine the way the world could be. They give us a chance to explore an infinite number of possible futures– an infinite number of relationships won and lost, fractured and repaired. Movies give us hope, and an outlet to imagine the world both as it is, and how we’d like it to be. It’s an incredibly powerful medium, and I feel lucky to be a part of the art form.

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.
I made my first feature when I was in my early twenties, shooting it in the trailer park I lived in as a teenager. It’s called “Lola’s Last Letter,” and it follows a young girl making an apology letter to a mysterious man named Henry. The movie had a successful festival run, and is now available on all major streaming platforms. Since then, I’ve gone on to write for studios like Walt Disney, and I’m a member of the WGA west, where I serve as a volunteer feature captain helping newer members who’ve recently joined the guild. At the end of last year, I won Best Director’s demo at LA Live Film Festival, and this summer, I’m gearing up to shoot my second feature. I own my own production company, making everything from features, to commercials and shorts. Working in a business that involves ups and down isn’t always easy– but what I’ve learned is that you have to honor your individual voice and make work you genuinely believe in. Everything after that will happen as it’s meant to! I’ve found that relying on support from friends and family is key, and that you have to value yourself for who you are as a person– not just what you do. Additionally, creating work you love is key. It’s how much you believe in and care about the project that matters; not what happens with it or how well its received by the business.

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?
My perfect LA itinerary starts with a trip to the Getty Villa! Let’s enjoy the beauty Malibu has to offer, and grab rooftop drinks in Santa Monica afterwards. Next, we’d visit Simi Valley and fly my drone over the beautiful rock formations out that way. Finally, I’d end with Salsa and Bachata dancing at one of the many amazing venues through the valley and LA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Mom! For always believing in me, and helping me through the rough patches. She’s there every step of the way.

Website: www.valeriebrandy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriebrandywriter/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-brandy-b378231a4/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValerieBrandy

Image Credits
David Mueller Getty Images / Amy Graves