Meet Zachary Pierce | Director, Production Manager, Editor, & Tour Manager

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

Hi Zachary, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor to success is pushing through the most difficult of challenges and never losing sight of the passion you chase. Doing what you love is the most important aspect in the work that you do, even in the face of what may look like to some as an impossibility. Failure doesn’t arrive when we encounter a roadblock, it is when we choose not to find a way through it, and giving up hope in the dream you have chosen to pursue is the only moment you truly have lost. Progress will inevitably seem slow and discouraging at times, but when we climb enough steps, we can look back on the amazing journey we’ve taken, and if we could already make it this far, then we can take it that much further and beyond.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Film production as a whole as well as many other industries are compiled of everybody’s creative visions and how we see the same world through a different eye. I have a love for bringing my own visions to life by constructing a story through screenwriting, executing the plan on set, and adding the movie magic in post production. I am very proud to have won four Telly Awards, an LA Live Film Festival Award, a Hollywood Music in Media Awards nomination, and the Deb Bauer Unsung Hero Award at the 2023 Catalina Film Festival for projects I have been lucky enough to work on in the past, and I am in the process of wrapping up a personal short film that deals with concepts of apeirophobia, otherwise known as the fear of eternity with the goal to help people find peace within themselves and the reality they exist within. In addition, we are currently working on a feature film that will help spread awareness for suicide prevention and let those who are struggling know that they are never alone, and that no matter how hard the times may get, things will get better.

While actively with PAE Studios, some of my notable work has been the opportunity to camera operate for a rock and roll documentary with Paramount Plus, be the editor and cinematographer for a series of anti-bullying PSAs currently airing on ABC 7 News with testimonials from household names, production manage for multiple music videos and short films across several different artists and clients such as multi-award winning country music artist Presley Aronson and legendary rock and roll band Shark Island, and create fundraising charity videos for Catalina Island Medical Center and Catalina Island Museum as well as work on many other amazing projects.

Along with this, I also have a passion for music production, and where I am in the early stages of my growth and understanding of the field, I never pass up on the chance to create unique experimental sounds from scratch.

In the music industry, I have tour managed and organized for multiple headlining, opening, and special guest appearances ranging from venues like Toyota Arena, Venice West, Hollywood Independent Music Awards at the Avalon Theater, and the infamous Catalina Wine Mixer along with many others for Presley Aronson.

I’ve reached the point that I am at today through persistence and a willingness to learn from previous trial and error as well as take in constant constructive feedback from others for the betterment of my craft. None of it ever has been or ever will be easy, but the most personal fulfillment in life I feel comes from overcoming challenges we would have deemed unbeatable long ago. It’s okay to make mistakes; our losses teach us more than our wins, and without the contrast of the negative, we can never fully recognize and appreciate the positive. If you have something to try but have the fear it won’t work out, you’ve already solidified it has something that will never happen by not taking the leap. Not every chance you take needs to be huge in the beginning, but baby steps will gradually train you to run a marathon.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being based out of Los Angeles, California, there are plenty of amazing locations to explore, whether in areas of high populace or quiet spots to appreciate the beauty this world offers. Anybody traveling to the area would miss out without seeing the beach, as we truly have a one of a kind gem of a coastline compiled of the creative culture of Venice Beach to the fun and exciting activities on Santa Monica Pier, as well as scenic views in areas such as Point Dume. Along with this, hiking in the mountains to catch sunsets and cruising down the PCH blasting music creates an amazing way to experience Los Angeles.

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?
There are multiple influences that help keep me on track to success. The people I have been lucky enough to collaborate alongside have sparked my love for the art of creation in the film industry, all the way from my earlier years in video production classes to the amazingly talented people I meet every day through my job, seeing how we can think outside the box further on an idea and create something not only original, but personal. Another strong influence of mine would be one of my favorite musical artists of all time, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, otherwise known as Logic, who tells an inspiring story of being able to make it out of the most harsh conditions with the purpose of achieving happiness in life through his passion in music, movies, writing, and beyond that, clearly conveying through explicit example that everybody can do the same as long as they set their mind to it and remain true to their dreams. Most importantly, the most influential person I have been lucky enough to work alongside who has kept me pushing has been none other than my good friend, Presley Aronson, having started his own production company known as PAE Studios at 14 years old in 2014, and is simultaneously pursuing a career in country music. Not only has he had a huge part in teaching me how to keep on the grind of hard work, but he has taught me most of what I know about the film industry as a whole. Every day we work as a team with a common goal and the drive to reach it no matter what it takes, because we both strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. Alongside film, Presley has also brought me on as his active Tour Manager, and has shown me the roots of what it takes to be successful in this field, actively working to organize live shows and tour plans as well as handle many of the logistics that go on behind the stage that put the whole performance together.

Website: https://presleyaronsonenterprise.com

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

Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5089645/

Presley Aronson: https://presleyaronson.com

Image Credits
PAE Studios