Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Wagner.
Hi Brittany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The self-deprecating part of me would say I sort of stumbled into filmmaking. I was the kid who wanted to do and be everything, according to my Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul journal: a fashion designer, interior decorator, artist, photographer, massage therapist, lawyer, journalist… basically everything except the writer and director of a documentary about the human cost of chronic pain. But here we are.
My career actually started in advertising — climbing the ranks in Chicago as an agency producer. It was a natural fit for a Type A gal who loves to create order out of chaos. And I was pretty dang good at it. I knew how to play the part because I’d been doing that my whole life, but deep down, I wanted to be the one telling the stories. Eventually, I had a “come to Jesus” moment. I felt unfulfilled and ready to pivot, but being practical, I didn’t jump in right away.
Around this time, my dad’s health started to decline. He’d suffered a severe spine injury years earlier in an on-the-job construction accident when the man-lift he was operating failed. Being the tough guy he was, he didn’t like asking for help, but I knew he needed it. His fight against the healthcare system, workers’ comp, and disability services became relentless, and that’s when I stepped in. I began traveling back and forth to my hometown, managing his medical affairs, doing chores, and keeping him company — usually watching cooking shows or Downton Abbey marathons while trading boy advice. (He was a gay man raising two daughters, so the commentary was unmatched.)
Meanwhile, I was pivoting my career toward indie filmmaking. From 2015–2018, I co-wrote and produced a darkly comedic web series called Raising Adults — about “two young girls trying to grow up while raising their crazy, disabled parents.” Inspired by a friend’s and my own real lives, it became as much a coping mechanism as it was a creative outlet. My dad even acted in the show, playing himself (God bless him).
All of that brought us closer than I realized at the time. But even with how close we were, I didn’t fully grasp how bad things had gotten for him. On February 10, 2018, my dad took his life, and it wrecked me in all the ways you’d expect. “I could have done something” became the thought that played on repeat in my mind, even when I knew deep down there was nothing I could have done to stop him. Afterward, I did what anyone would do — I went searching for answers. What I found instead stopped me cold: 697 video diaries he’d privately recorded on his iPod Touch. Part confessional, part cry for help, they captured everything from his daily pain and frustration to his humor, reflections, and small moments of joy. And within them, he asked me to tell his story.
Discovering those videos set me on an entirely new path. Since then, I’ve moved to LA and dedicated myself to doing just that — piecing together his story through those recordings, decades of medical files, and written notes to create a feature-length film. It’s been far from easy, but it’s become the most personal and purpose-driven work of my life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any road comes without bumps. My dad’s passing rocked my world, but it also gave me a reason to keep going and try to give his struggle meaning. That’s what led me to make One of Many. But stepping into it as both his daughter and the film’s producer, and as a first-time writer/director of a feature, has been a complicated path. It is hands down the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever done. For a long time, I didn’t realize how much of the film was really about me, too — how much of my own grief, guilt, and need for meaning were tied up in it.
The struggles have been layered. On the filmmaking side, it’s been a crash course in resourcefulness — constantly fundraising so we can pay our crew (which is more challenging than ever), grassroots outreach for support, and the uphill climb toward distribution. We’re a small team, and everyone’s worn multiple hats just to keep the project moving, but much of what we’ve achieved has been through the help of others outside of the core team.
As an independent, self-funded documentary, we’re always looking to connect with folks or organizations who feel compelled to support the work, whether that’s through fundraising, partnerships, or helping us reach broader audiences once the film is released. I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who has stepped up, and I’d be remiss not to say thanks — and to invite anyone who feels compelled to support or get in touch via the links below.
On a personal note, it’s been equally hard. Watching my dad’s videos over and over, reliving his pain, and then exposing my own for the sake of the story. It’s taken a real toll on my mental and physical health, my relationships, and even my sense of balance. At times, I’ve definitely had to slow down and remind myself that healing isn’t something you can rush, even when you feel the urgency to keep creating. But I keep going because this story is bigger than us. My dad’s experience, as heartbreaking as it was, isn’t exclusive to him. There are so many people living with chronic pain who are unseen, unheard, and disbelieved — and countless others who’ve been passed over by the healthcare system. One of Many is for them, and for the caregivers and families who carry that pain alongside them, with the hope it can shed light and inspire change.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a storyteller (and frequent oversharer) at heart, which has taken me across a few different lanes, from producing PR-worthy campaigns in advertising to collaborating on projects with comedians, and now writing and directing my first feature documentary. I’ve spent years helping brands connect with audiences in ways that feel real, creating content that’s bold, original, impact-driven, and somehow both intimate and universally relatable.
What I’m most proud of is the work that blends creativity with empathy. I think what sets me apart is that I’m endlessly curious and a natural connector; I’ve always been the person who opens up and encourages others to do the same. I try to bring that same honesty and authenticity to everything I do.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Honestly, I think the best connections I’ve made have come from leading with curiosity and reciprocity, not an agenda. Early in my career in advertising, I thought networking meant showing up perfectly polished with something to prove. But I’ve learned that people respond more when you show up as a real person who’s open to connection and willing to listen.
Mentorship, for me, hasn’t always looked like one official “mentor.” It’s been a mix of peers, former bosses, and friends who challenge me to think differently and hold me accountable. And sometimes, it comes from complete strangers. I’m that person who ends up in a deep conversation with my Uber driver, bartender, or someone I say hi to on the sidewalk. You never know who’s going to drop the kind of wisdom you needed to hear that day.
Sometimes the best mentors are the ones who see potential in you before you see it in yourself — who empower you to believe in yourself. And if you can’t find the mentor you need, then create the circle you wish existed. That’s what’s worked best for me. Whether it’s sharing works-in-progress with other filmmakers, swapping advice with writers, or even just checking in with old friends who get it — it all builds a kind of collective mentorship that keeps you moving forward.
Also: follow up, say thank you, and mean it. The people who’ve helped me along the way aren’t just contacts; they’ve become collaborators, confidants, and chosen family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oneofmanydoc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bw0rd_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneofmanydocumentary/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanywagner/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOQAc97JkXA&feature=youtu.be
- Other: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/KF2R7DT9JX5K8
Image Credits
Greg Campbell
Chris Kromer
Mike Wagner
Mark Barry
Emily Tolan
Kala Bradford
