Life & Work with Brandon Woodrin of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Woodrin.

Hi Brandon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Brandon Woodrin is an independent film director, producer, unit production manager, and entrepreneur originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, now based in Los Angeles, California. His journey into storytelling began at the age of 14 after becoming inspired by local theater productions and stage plays in New Orleans. That inspiration quickly turned into action when, at just 15 years old, he wrote and directed his first stage play, One Black Christmas, which was performed for his middle school in front of a packed auditorium. The laughter, reactions, and connection from the audience
sparked a passion for directing and storytelling that would shape the course of his life. Soon after, Brandon attended his first Tyler Perry stage production, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, an experience
that further motivated him to sharpen his creative voice and storytelling abilities. He continued writing and directing stage plays including The Wedding, which gained attention from local performing arts
organizers and led to opportunities to produce plays at cultural arts centers throughout New Orleans.
He later wrote and directed additional productions including Child Support and Friday Night in the Kitchen, a play inspired by his mother’s side of the family. The production became especially well
received in New Orleans and eventually expanded to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where it was performed for two nights. Following the success of his theater work, Brandon knew he wanted to elevate his career beyond local productions. Originally considering a move to New York to pursue theater professionally, his direction changed after discovering the Los Angeles Film School. After taking a virtual tour and speaking with an advisor, he decided to transition from theater into filmmaking and
moved to Los Angeles in August 2010 to pursue a career in film. While attending the Los Angeles Film School, Brandon quickly immersed himself in the industry and became heavily involved in filmmaking
opportunities outside the classroom. During his time there, he wrote, directed, and shot a movie trailer for a feature film project titled Vampires and Demons. Through a fortunate connection, Nick Cannon’s father, James Cannon, attended one of Brandon’s auditions at the Los Angeles Film School, which opened the door for further collaboration. Brandon later gained the interest and involvement of Nick
Cannon’s brother, Gabriel Cannon, along with other members of the Cannon family, who participated in the trailer project. The trailer eventually gained the attention of Paramount Studios, leading to a
partnership agreement that Brandon signed with Paramount in 2011 while he was still a student. Although the Paramount deal ultimately did not move forward, Brandon continued pursuing the project
and later brought the script and trailer to Lionsgate alongside James Cannon. Lionsgate expressed interest in developing the film but ultimately did not move forward. Despite the setback, the experience provided Brandon with valuable firsthand insight into studio development, pitching, and the realities of the film business at an
early stage in his career. During his time at the Los Angeles Film School, Brandon distinguished himself academically and creatively. He graduated two months early, becoming the first student at the
school at that time to complete the program ahead of schedule. He was also recognized as Student of the Month twice and was acknowledged by the school as only the second student at that time to secure
a movie deal opportunity with a major studio while still actively enrolled. During his time in Los Angeles, Brandon directed independent short films while also working professionally in media production. He worked with Demand Media Studios directing eHow cooking content before later becoming the
personal videographer for former NBA player Kareem Rush. Brandon graduated from the Los Angeles Film School in November 2011. After graduation, Brandon returned to New Orleans searching for
opportunities within the film industry. From 2014 to 2016, he worked as a production assistant on NCIS: New Orleans during Seasons 1 through 3, gaining firsthand experience working on a major television series and further developing his understanding of professional film production. Following his time in television production, Brandon transitioned into audiovisual technology and live event
production, working for PSAV (now Encore) as a camera operator and lead technician. His responsibilities included managing crews, setting up large-scale audiovisual systems, coordinating projector and sound installations, running cable systems, and ensuring all technical equipment was
fully operational for live conferences and corporate events. Determined to return to Los Angeles and continue pursuing film, he transferred within the company and relocated back to California, where he
worked as Lead Technician at the W Hotel in Hollywood before later becoming Technical Supervisor for audiovisual operations at the Four Seasons in Calabasas. He later transferred to the Westin LAX, where he remained until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The pandemic ultimately became a turning point in Brandon’s filmmaking career. During that time, he reconnected with his longtime mentor, who had guided and supported him throughout his years in Los Angeles. Brandon became the first
employee and Director of Production for Aneu Studios, a production company founded by his mentor with a physical studio location in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their first feature film collaboration became Me
and the Dragon’s Daughter, which Brandon directed and which featured actor Marcus Paulk. The film later earned multiple awards on the independent film festival circuit and secured streaming distribution
on platforms including Prime Video and Tubi. Building on that momentum, Brandon directed his second feature film, Children of Elena, in 2021. In 2022, he expanded his catalog with several short film projects including Jonny Boy, Survivor, and The Watcher. Following those short films, he directed and served as Unit Production Manager for his third feature film, Between Love and Justice, starring Omar Gooding, Vanessa Simmons, Marcus Paulk, and Robert Ri’chard. He later continued establishing himself as a filmmaker capable of balancing both the creative and logistical demands of independent film production. Throughout his filmmaking career, Brandon has worked with and directed established
actors across multiple productions. His projects continue to stream on major platforms while gaining recognition within the independent film community for their storytelling, ambition, and production value.
Outside of filmmaking, Brandon expanded into entrepreneurship in 2024 by investing in and operating a food business, becoming a food truck owner while continuing to independently finance and pursue
his film career. His ability to balance entrepreneurship with filmmaking reflects the same determination and self-made work ethic that has defined his journey from local theater productions in New Orleans to
directing feature films in Los Angeles. At the end of 2026, Brandon is set to begin production on his fourth feature film, where he will serve as director, unit production manager, and co-executive producer, continuing to build his legacy as an independent filmmaker driven by passion, resilience, and storytelling. Throughout every challenge and obstacle in his journey, Brandon credits his mother as his biggest supporter and rock throughout his career, always encouraging him to keep pushing forward and keeping God first no matter the circumstances.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Like many independent filmmakers, I faced setbacks, financial challenges, projects falling through, and moments where I had to step outside of filmmaking to support myself while still pursuing my passion. From losing early studio opportunities to rebuilding my career multiple times, every obstacle taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to keep pushing forward. Those struggles ultimately helped shape me into the director, producer, and entrepreneur I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a film director, producer, and unit production manager specializing in independent action, horror, and comedy films. I’m known for being hands-on with both the creative and production side of filmmaking.

I’m most proud of building my career independently and directing feature films streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Tubi while working with actors including Omar Gooding, Vanessa Simmons, Robert Ri’chard, and Marcus Paulk.

What sets me apart is my ability to balance storytelling, leadership, and production management all at the same time.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My mother has been my biggest supporter throughout my journey, always encouraging me to keep pushing forward. I also credit God for giving me the strength, faith, and perseverance to continue pursuing my purpose. In addition, my mentor, Wesley Pate Jr., CEO of Aneu Studios, played a major role by believing in my vision, guiding me through the industry, and helping create opportunities that allowed me to direct my feature films.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @director_brandonwoodrin