Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Wong.
Hi Brad, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a Chinese-American household in Phoenix, Arizona. The son of a broadcast journalist turned university professor and a microbiologist. They exposed me to four keys things that influenced my career path. The first was a good work ethic. To look for opportunity, outwork everyone and never be above doing the little things to get a job done. This was a multiple generational attitudes passed down from my great-grandparents and grandparents who immigrated from Canton, China and sacrificed so that the next generation could be better. The second was an early exposure to music. My parents are avid Elton John, George Michael, Michael Jackson, ACDC, Alan Jackson, Paul Simon and Queen fans. I grew up listening to music off a large stereo and was exposed to new artists as they emerged. Even now, my dad keeps up to date by listening to artists like Drake, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars. The third was an exposure to musical theater. I saw Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Grease, Hairspray Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway all before I was a teenager. I was influenced by the teamwork, art and coordination of shows like these. The fourth was an exposure to cameras, lighting and editing equipment through my dad’s work as a news producer and journalist. You can guess where all of this is heading. When I was little, I would always draw and make my own 3D dioramas out of paper — setting scenes. I’d then use my legos, action figures and beanie babies to reenact or remake sequences I had seen.
All of this to music and soundtracks. I guess you could say everything in my early life pointed to me becoming a filmmaker and music video director. However, being Asian and going to college, I denied all of that. I followed what my Asian friends were doing and went the pre-med route. After organic chemistry and biochemistry, I was completely miserable. So I took a chance. I applied for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Film and Television Production Program at my school and fulfilled all of the requisites needed to apply in a summer. Because it was a cohort program they only accepted 18 of the 300 or so media studies applicants at the time. To my surprise, I got in and I never looked back. Eventually, I’d combine my love for music and filmmaking through shooting and editing EDM shows. This led me to creating my first music videos in college. I entered my videos into student filmmaking competitions and won awards. My videos and short films eventually allowed me to go to the 66th Cannes International Film Festival through a program that showed select student films at the Cort Metrage’s Short Film Corner. After graduating, I spent a year building up a portfolio and then moved out to Los Angeles.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. But I’m grateful for what the bump road has taught me. Some struggles along the way were lying to my parents and sneaking out to Los Angeles to do low-paying jobs just to get my foot in the door. I didn’t have enough money for hotels so I’d sleep on a couch in San Diego and drive up to Los Angeles every day. I also ended up sleeping in my car for months. I’d park in Koreatown or parking garages and then shower at the tennis club or gym. Another struggle was cold-calling and getting my foot in the door. I’d send out countless emails to artists, managers, labels, etc. It was demoralizing not hearing back given the volume and time spent doing this. Those who did respond and gave me a chance, I’m forever grateful. Eventually, my work spoke for itself and people began reaching out to me. However, I still continue my old tactics of cold calling because complacency kills and I’m not above grinding and hustling even though my situation has become more comfortable than when I first began.
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 director and creative producer that specializes in music videos and branded content. I’m known for directing and editing music videos, ads and brand content. I’m proud of my work ethic, level headedness on set. I’m most proud of the frequent creative collaborators I’ve met and have continued to work with over the years. People come and go, but I’ve found a like-minded community who has the same drive and values as I do. Finding creative soul mates is so important. I’m proud to know and to work with these people, everyone from music artists, commissioners, cinematographers, producers, CDs, assistant directors, production designers, fellow directors, colorists to hair and make-up artists. They’ve become friends and the community that I’ve chosen to surround myself with is what I’m most proud of because I see everyone grinding leveling up and creating a positive feedback loop where we get better and better every year. The thing that sets me apart from others? Two things. 1) How I was raised i.e., the immigrant mentality. I will outwork everyone in the room and do what needs to be done to get the job done. Even if it isn’t what a “director” should do. I will always be the last to leave, the last to sleep and the first one awake to start the day. If I don’t know something, I’ll learn it. I think this attitude is what sets me apart from others and I’m grateful to my family for instilling that in me.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice is to only surround yourself with people who have the same work ethic and professional drive as you. There are tons of talented people in Los Angeles but everyone is different and most do not perfectly align. It’s hard to find people who resonate in the same way you do. Once you find those people, you’ll find that you not only become fast friends but you’ll create a positive feedback loop of creative and goal-setting momentum that will elevate everyone. That’s the first thing. Once you do that, the networking and mentors will come because your collective energy as a group and as an individual will either A) translate into the work you do B) attract other like-minded people who are at the further stage in their journey. This has worked so well during my time in LA. Other than that, more solid advice in terms of doing music video work. Build a good reel. Make your own content when you’re not working. Reach out to commissioners, labels, artists and managers every month. Feed your creative soul by reading, traveling, and doing things outside your comfort zone. We’re defined by our work but it’s so important to take care of yourself and set aside time for just you.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.bradmichaelwong.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradleydubbs
- Other: https://vimeo.com/385174590
Image Credits:
BTS photos by Stefanie Michova, Amy Hoang and Sophie Cheung. Director of Photography: Hunter Gulan, Michael Tanji, Rafael Gomez, Symeon Platts
