Today we’d like to introduce you to Brett Zimmerman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brett. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
From an early age, I found an appreciation for film. I couldn’t have been older than 5 or 6 years old at the time, living in Charlotte, North Carolina. On weekends, my mother worked overnights as a nurse in the ER at Carolinas Medical Center, which left my two brothers and I home with our Dad. Without going into too much detail, let’s just say my Dad can be quite the jokester. I recall a many nights where my Dad would wake my brothers and I up well passed our bedtime, and say, “BOYS, BOYS WAKE UP, YOU’RE LATE FOR SCHOOL”. As we would rub our tired eyes, he’d then laugh and say, “Aww, I’m just teasin’…come watch a movie with your Dad and have some ice cream”. Those memories of being on the couch with my brothers and father were so enjoyable. Only thing we were missing was our loving, hard working Mother. Some nights, I’m sure the four of us guys were lined up sound asleep on that couch until she got home the next morning.
Nights like that led me to watch more and more films as I grew up, but it wasn’t until college that I discovered my own personal interest for acting. Growing up, I never truly knew what I wanted to be, and going into college, I was still a bit undecided. After multiple majors, working two to three jobs at any given time, I decided to start working with a local agency out of Charlotte, NC to create additional income both while in school and summers off. I met with Evolution Talent Agency, and at the time my idea was to book work for local and regional print jobs and commercial spots on TV. I found work ranging from editorials, catalog work at Macy’s, commercial spots for Coca-Cola and Bloom Grocery Store, and so on. The more I was on set, the more I fell in love with it. Unlike most of my classes in college, I paid attention to everything, and had a desire to learn. Evolution Talent Agency eventually helped book me a gig doing featured extra work for a week on One Tree Hill out of Wilmington, NC. It was then, that I knew without a doubt what my career was to be. I drove home after that week of filming, and expressed my interest to tackle acting head on. Graduating Clemson, and having a degree under my belt was important, but that didn’t stop me. I found time whenever I could to study and immerse myself into classes. Evolution gave me guidance working as a developmental agent, broadening my scope towards LA, and set up agency meetings here when the time came. After graduating Clemson University with a degree in Business Management, and securing enough of a savings to trust the road ahead, I packed up my car and drove out to LA in February of 2010 with my mother as my co-pilot. I packed every inch of my car, and she stayed for a week while I met with agencies and got settled in.
LA has now been home for 8 years, and in no way has the road gotten any easier, but I can honestly say I love it out here and I love what I do. As actors we are storytellers. I hope to tell stories that affect people…that give people reason and a voice to inspire change within their own life for the better or towards others.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Metaphorically speaking, there are always speed bumps, but the concrete smooths out in moments when we take the road towards patience in our preparation. As actors, we face unforeseen obstacles at every turn. Consider glass that becomes Sea glass. It is physically and chemically weathered on beaches or alongside bodies of salt water in a process that takes 20 to 40 years, and sometimes more. Only then does it acquire the composition, texture, and shape that define it. Each individual piece is unique, but a characteristic of its texture is its smooth.
In my career, I have learned who I am, but that didn’t come without failures or “speed bumps”. I’ve dealt with trusting in the wrong people, not trusting enough in myself, motivation, commitment, and listening…just to name a few. As we stay on our path, things don’t necessarily get easier, or “smoother”, but we can learn to navigate at a pace that is ours. You see just how much you’re able to handle, always face issues head on, and keep moving forward.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Anchored Arrow Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is me. I’m a storyteller, a collaborator, an actor of all types, and I love what I do!
In an industry where it is so competitive to find work, you have to be cautious not to say yes to everything. Each opportunity is different, so while you have to be selective, you also have to keep a broad mind within your own capabilities. Relevance is always changing. What’s important, is finding a character you can relate to or a story of purpose and influence. I have challenged myself to do so in all different mediums, but my more recent works include VR, motion capture, and voice-0ver.
In my resume of work, I have to say portraying my character PFC Ronald “Red” Daniels in Call of Duty: WWII has been the most fulfilling. He’s someone I can truly be proud of in a story of brotherhood and heroes. CODWWII was created with ingredients of love, honor, attention and detail, and topped with a fine layer of respect…that leaves a good taste in your mouth. There’s a lot of pressure when portraying a character of such strength and self-discovery, but I felt such honor in doing so. Before opening myself up to whom Private Daniels truly was to me, I had to find my footing with the mechanics of motion capture. It’s one of the most imaginative processes I have ever endured, but certainly one of the most challenging. Once I had my bearings, the world of this story opened up to me in such a way that I was free to live through the eyes of Daniels and make choices in my acting. With Daniels in COD, there was a sense of perseverance in his life, which I connected with within my own.
Hardships are something that we will without a doubt face, some worse than others. What’s important is the journey, and how you deal with those hardships. So many stories today are written from some degree of truth, news, or history. While it can be hard to share many of these stories, there is an importance to do so. My hope is that I align myself with projects that look to do this in a positive way towards all those involved and the lives it has or will touch.
I want to touch people through my work, but the process to get there doesn’t come easily. I believe what sets me apart is my work ethic. In life, I pride myself on doing all things fully. This translates in my work ethic and passion of acting when I dive into a character or a project as a whole.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Whether it be luck or fortune, I believe some things happen for a reason, but ultimately I find truth in the statement that, “nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, or difficulty”. We all have our victories in life and business, but those that are earned are far more valuable. As an imperfect man, I aim correction towards every failure. I wake every day with a hope to be the best version of myself I can be. Not solely for myself, but for those I am fortunate to share life with…my loved ones, family and strangers alike, and anyone I may touch directly or indirectly through my actions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: brettzimmerman
- Twitter: @bzimmer777
- Other: http://www.imdb.me/brettzimmerman
Image Credit:
Ryan Orange Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
kathy
September 28, 2018 at 01:22
This is a new up and coming STAR