Pier Nirandara | Film Executive, Bestselling Author & Underwater Photographer

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

Hi Pier, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I’m a massive lover of words, quotes, and literary isms. My personal travel and photography brand, Pier’s Great Perhaps, draws from such a quote — one by French poet Francois Rabelais: “I go to seek a Great Perhaps.” Apparently it was the last thing he said before he died, and I found it oddly poetic in summing up that quest in discovering the unknown. Recently, I stumbled across another one that really resonated as well: “Life is hard for two reasons. Because you’re leaving your comfort zone or because you’re staying in it.” I can’t emphasize it enough, but growth often occurs at the end of your comfort zone. If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. So go outside, seek those experiences — dare to stretch your mind to new dimensions. There is so much wisdom earned through facing your fears.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My resume is as varied as my interests. I’ve been a published author, a Hollywood studio executive, an agency rep for authors and screenwriters, an underwater photographer, a UNESCO literary brand ambassador, and more. I think I’ve always had so much thirst for life, and subsequently have tried to grow these interests simultaneously and balance them best I can. Ultimately, I want my work to evoke a certain feeling of profundity and empathy. You know that feeling after seeing a moving film, reading a book that seeps into your veins, or watching a blazing sunset over the ocean? Something stirs within your soul. It’s this transcendent, larger-than-life feeling I seek to convey — for myself, and others.

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?
Hands down I’d take them along the PCH! There’s nothing quite as classic as a SoCal road trip along the coastline. Apart from the classic spots of Venice, Santa Monica, etc., unmissable stops include: – The Malibu Pier (for some lobster rolls and oysters at nearby Broad Street Oyster Company) – El Matador for some killer sunsets – Circle X Ranch to hike the amazing Grotto Trail – think lush greenery and hidden waterfalls, totally uncharacteristic of how people imagine LA! Apart from that, I’d definitely take them on an “eatinerary” of K-Town. LA has so many great hole-in-the-wall eateries!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s an absolutely terrific book on meaningful travel called Vagabonding by Rolf Potts that has unexpected applications to the real world as well. It may be, in my opinion, the perfect road companion. The author calls work the “vagabonding gestation period,” and does a fantastic job at relating traveling to your career and general principles in living life. Perhaps it’s best summed up by some of these gems: “The goal of preparation, then, is not knowing exactly where you’ll go but being confident nonetheless that you’ll get there. This means that your attitude will be more important than your itinerary, and that the simple willingness to improve is more vital, in the long run, than research.” “Awareness and adaptation are still your best resources.” “List the job skills travel has taught you: independence, flexibility, negotiation, planning, boldness, self-sufficiency, improvisation.” “The secret of adventure is not to carefully seek it out but to travel in such a way that it finds you. To do this, you first need to overcome the protective habits of home and open yourself up to unpredictability.”