Rising Stars: Meet Brian Tetsuro Ivie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Tetsuro Ivie of Unanimous Media

Hi Brian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Orange County, which is pretty much exactly like the TV show “Orange County” with Adam Brody. My family was pretty well-off, so I was able to spend my summers making movies in our neighborhood. From 11-15, my friends and I even attempted to remake the entire Lord of The Rings trilogy. This was not a good idea. But I guess it’s where I caught the bug. When you’re a kid, you don’t really think about making movies as something that will ever pay you money, you just think “I like this. And I could do this for free.” While I was at film school at USC, I still remember watching “Do The Right Thing” for the first time and thinking to myself, that was the most amazing experience. Whatever that was, I want to make stuff like that. Of course, I was from Orange County, so that just seemed impossible right? Then came 2011. I read this Los Angeles Times article about a “mailbox for abandoned babies” in South Korea. Literally a heated box where mothers could leave kids they couldn’t take care of anymore.

After I read the article, I cold-called the Los Angeles Times pretending I had a production company. It was like the moment in “Almost Famous” when William is talking to Rolling Stone on the phone and pretends he’s 18. And for whatever reason, the reporter gave me this man’s personal contact info. Immediately I Google translate an email, saying I want to make a documentary about this box. And the man responds “Okay. Come live with me if you want.” Three months later, I’m standing in his living room in Seoul. I guess you could say that’s really where my career began. In that living room. It also brought me to my faith. After we released that documentary in 2015, I really caught a vision for how filmmaking could help with social impact, which is what I’ve been doing since. In 2019, I released my second documentary feature called “Emanuel,” about the “Charleston Church Shooting.” We did that with Viola Davis, Mariska Hargitay, and Stephen Curry. I also got the chance to write the Kirk Franklin movie for Sony and a script for Netflix. Right now, I’m working full-time as a creative producer for Stephen Curry at Unanimous Media. Whatever I do though, I’m trying to see it through the lens of impact. That’s what matters most to me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To be honest, I’m probably the most privileged filmmaker who ever lived and it’s still been hard. But at the same time, sometimes I wish it was harder. Like less smooth. The art that really lasts doesn’t typically come from the lawns of Orange County. Unless maybe it’s like a Tim Burton movie or something. But that’s also why I’ve tried to travel the world and make movies about experiences I never had. My greatest struggle for a long time was honestly figuring out my voice. I think a lot of filmmakers start out making the movies they love instead of the movies they’d be good at making. For me, that’s documentaries and stories of social justice. I’m not an entertainer, I’m really more of a communicator. So I try to focus on what I’m good at. Then again, I’m also writing a dope science fiction TV show right now, so who knows!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Right now, I’m mostly producing and writing. My day to day is spent taking phone calls, raising money, all the normal “not fun” stuff of being an actual producer. But I love my team. When you work for someone like Stephen Curry, it’s easy to show up because you know there’s purpose behind it. Steph is not the type of guy who just wants to be known for basketball. He has a way bigger calling than that. And so do I. My job as an in-house producer at Unanimous Media is really to curate projects and make them happen, whether it’s film, TV, or docs. We have so many incredible projects on our slate that I wish I could talk about. The film I’m most proud of is definitely “Emanuel.” I know Stephen’s proud of that one as well. In terms of what sets me apart, I don’t know. I can tell you that my faith is the most important thing in my life and guides every decision I make as a creative. The next feature I’m producing is a documentary on “Maverick City Music.” It’s a concert doc set in a prison in Atlanta.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people have no idea that I’m half-Japanese. My middle name is Tetsuro, which was also my grandfather’s name. When I was growing up, a lot of people actually thought my mom was my nanny because she looked more Asian than me and because my dad was so white. So I come from a mixed family in that way, which is really cool. I’m actually working on a project right now that is directly connected to my grandmother, Marian Tanabe. I was very close to her. I wish this wasn’t surprising but it is to lots of people. Anyway, I’m what they call a “hapa.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.unanimousmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.ivie/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebrianivie
• Other: https://vimeo.com/briantetsuroivie

Image Credits:
000129850033 000129870015 Caleb Diaz (Black and white + Red roses shirt) 13530022 13550003 Mack Breeden 1778AA036-3 Brian Tetsuro Ivie (Self Portrait)