Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Pinnix.
Brandon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Virginia Beach, VA when I was nine years my parents moved from Virginia to Pittsburgh PA, where I was raised. While growing up, I was shy, I struggled to make friends…My peers outgrew me fast by developing a talent that made them stand out. An early portion of my life I was on a hunt for a talent that could make me stand out. Sports, music, dancing, etc…
Most of the talents I wasn’t too good at anyways, people looked down & laugh at me… And I always knew it but I was persistent and I wanted to prove I can get better even if it meant shooting a basket 1000 times until I made one or dancing to my legs fall of none of it matter but I was determined to prove what I can do.
My skills set improve day by day, although it didn’t change what people said bout me. Because to them I was weird, I was in love with anime, I like drawing, I didn’t party much, didn’t play any team sports, and I was too myself a lot.
Still struggling to find talent, I pick up poetry in my junior year of high school, I started consistently writing expressing multiple themes whether it was my feelings or just a strong message I wanted to share. I put it all down on paper 100% honestly in every word. After a year I figure I was in love with it. But I wanted to step it up. Senior year, I wanted to be story teller, I wanted visuals, I wanted a platform… And from the age of 12 I always wanted to live in Los Angeles CA driven and inspired by the palm trees and mountains and the buzz that surrounds it. So I had an idea and I plotted towards it saving my money towards this adventure.
A year later I graduated & moved directly after to California, attending school at the Los Angeles film school, my love for writing transform to the love of story telling then eventually story telling to the love of filmmaking. I’m now an independent director/writer who is currently freelancing in industry.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was not easy, I was a shy kid in a new city while growing up I was constantly bullied & look down upon. I’m African American but growing up my peers around me told me I don’t “act black” or talk “black”. I also tried many activities to make my self stand out but failed at, I had to get over low-self-esteem. Building confidence, learning to embrace who I was instead of trying to fit in, learning the definition of self love which to me means self discipline.
Please tell us about your company.
I’m a director and writer but I’m also versatile in another department, acting, production design and G&E is just some of the few things I’m good at as well.
My company lightsoffstudio is a platform that allows independent filmmakers to upload & show off their work on social media to gain a following of their own, it’s a great stepping stone to create a buzz or even connect with other talented filmmakers. It can be poetry, design or fashion work, or cinematography or films. The purpose of this all is to entertain the audience and to help independent creators expose Their work & network with other talented creators.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
People will define your Success for you by accomplishments & achievement or money sometimes and that’s great But I like to think if I close my eyes today I’ll still be successful because whether your a stranger, family, or friend, my goal is to always give back, and you can do that in a thousands of small ways that’ll have a huge impact for people by simple rules kindness, respect, and openness.
These three things are under value on what it can do in one’s life and if you can affect one or more person with these actions & affect them to do the same I feel like that’s true success ass well.
Contact Info:
- Address: 325 w Adams Blvd, ca, 9007
- Phone: 412-709-4339
- Email: brandontp826@gmail.com
- Instagram: Brandon Pinnix or Lightsoffstudio
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