Ben Meredith shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ben, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve found a tremendous amount of joy in Astrophotography. Although it’s still loosely connected to my work, being a photography-based activity, I get to strip any pressures of making money from it or producing imagery for an audience. It’s just for me. I get to go out in the middle of nowhere, photograph the night sky, and reveal structures that have been here for billions of years. It’s humbling, peaceful, a practice in patience, and there’s an infinite amount to learn and keep my brain curious.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello there, I’m Ben Meredith, a director and cinematographer currently based out of Los Angeles, CA. I own Antigua Way Films, a boutique creative agency and production company that specializes in bringing cinematic content to life for a variety of different brands. My approach is to bring the same creative mindset and technical workflow I would use on a feature film to branded content, no matter how big or small the budget. We are in the business of story telling, and everyone deserves their story to be seen and heard.
As an individual freelance director and cinematographer, I also work on commercials, music videos, documentaries, short films and feature narrative films.
I’m currently working on several documentaries that deal with Art and Culture, producing and helping with two different podcasts that discuss mental health, and developing my own feature film as a writer/director that will go into pre-production by the end of this year.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
As indulgent as this may sound, I think the relationship that most shaped how I see myself is one with this planet and the universe beyond it. I am not claiming to be the most outdoorsy person in the world, but I try to find deep connection in our surroundings, both grounded and above, because it assists in my perspective and placement. When you silently observe, even converse, with things that have been here far longer than yourself, there is an element of clarity brought to your purpose and how you connect with other humans beings; what you want to offer this world as far as your footprint upon so many others before you.
I believe I involuntarily display this in my work as a cinematographer and director; often searching for deeper meaning behind a composition or a story, and threading the connective tissue I see every day into my work. It helps me separate myself from ego and the increasingly individualistic nature I see humans heading towards, and moreso steers me in the communal direction I think we grow from. Not only togetherness with each other, but with our planet and our stars as well. So much to say, we’re all in this sh*t show together so why not make the best of it!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were actually many times I thought about giving up, whatever that means to each individual. To me it meant hanging the hat on my freelance career and going back to the corporate world I cut my teeth in. This happened mainly in 2024. My industry, especially in Los Angeles, was suffering greatly. There was so little production going on, and all of that trickled down, so even picking up branded work was more competitive and proving to be difficult.
I also had my own personal struggles with alcohol, which was negatively affecting my relationships and motivation. Although I don’t know for sure, I think that problem caused me to lose a relationship that was very important to me, and not go after certain work and life goals I probably could have tackled harder. I basically thought to myself, “ok, I’m throwing in the towel, going to get a corporate job in branded content, go work every day and keep to myself every night with my trusty friend vodka.” I know, I know…vodka? I could have at least chose a better liquor. Gross.
Then everything changed. An old dear friend of mine reached out who had a new position at a Fortune 500 company that I cannot currently disclose, and they needed a lot of video work.
Suddenly my career took a 180, from major struggles to my production company now being on retainer for a huge American brand. Shortly after, we had a horrific accident in the family that also served as a monumental wake-up call. These series of events caused me to really reflect and make some huge changes.
I joined a life-coaching program that helps people not only break free from negative relationships with alcohol, but grow their mindset, self worth, and aspirations.
Since, I am now free from a toxic habit I had acquired over the last 20 years, my company and career is doing better than it’s ever been, and my relationships with friends and family are stronger than ever. It wasn’t easy, but the benefits are overwhelming. I’ve found sometimes when you’re thinking about giving up, it’s actually about looking at the hardest possible path, and taking it. That’s the path you’re going to learn from, grow from, and come out the other side an improved version of yourself.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think, right now, the biggest “lie” I hear within the industry is “next year it will come back.” I’ve heard that pretty much every year since 2020.
I think we get stuck in the notion of the streamers, the studios, the tax incentives, whatever the next buzzworthy one will be, “coming to the rescue.” I don’t think they will. The fact I try to bathe in is that our industry will never be the same as it was…but that’s also OK. The less we rely on these ‘rescuers,’ the more we will take storytelling into our own hands.
The technological advancements in filmmaking have been nothing short of breathtaking, and the barrier to entry is the cheapest it’s every been. Between cheap mirrorless cameras, free editing software, and a plethora of YouTube tutorials, tricks and tips, we can all go out and make our own films whenever we want. Even full length features.
We can not wait for the rescue anymore. We have to take our artform back into our own hands, tell the stories we want to tell. Not to sound all Bravehearty, but if there ever was a time for the actual artists to take control over the industry, now is that time.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when my purpose aligns with my values. This doesn’t have to be work. The other day I helped a stranger get bagels from a high-shelf at the grocery store. That lit me up the entire rest of the day. That’s what it’s about. It’s about connection, it’s about helping others, it’s about serving a purpose in your community. It doesn’t always have to be big picture, because more often than not the ‘big picture’ stuff is in the small things.
When what I am doing, no matter how seemingly mundane or small, or how eventual and big, aligns with my personal values, that is when I feel the truest sense of peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.benfmeredith.com
- Instagram: @benfmeredith
