Conversations with Zack Ward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Ward

Hi Zack , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started in the entertainment industry at 5 years of age, backstage with my Mom (Pam Hyatt) when she performed in plays, TV shows, and films across Canada. At 10, I launched into Toronto’s acting world with commercials and TV guest spots, before earning my first film role in “A Christmas Story” at 13. Although a beloved icon now, the film wasn’t a box office smash so I continued my path as a journeyman character actor, building a steady resume of supporting and starring roles in TV shows and films. After finishing 54 episodes of my second TV series, I moved to California to expand my opportunities. My career flourished with 2 more leading roles in TV and a slew of feature film and guest starring roles. As my experience expanded, so did my desire to do more and fell in love with writing, producing, editing and directing. That journey led me to work with my business and producing partner, Ace Underhill. Together, we launched the LA location of Brilliant Screen Studios back in 2018 and have been running full steam ever since. Ace is a fantastically talented Cinematographer and computer coder, having been a Lead Software Engineer at Microsoft by the age of 19, so Incorporating our wealth of varied experiences into our studio has been the perfect combination to give us the edge on tackling the ever changing world of content creation, compelling stories, post work flow, cutting edge new technology, and virtual production. It keeps us on our toes and always looking forward to the next challenge.

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?
The process has been “Adventurous”. Everyone in California knows what an absolute disaster the last 5 years have been in the film industry and our story is no different.
We have survived and flourished because of our ability to be nimble and pivot.
When Virtual Production stormed the industry, Ace hacked the process to make it affordable for Indie productions; literally writing the code and hand building “God-Boxes” (big expensive computers) to run our LED Wall, Unreal Engine, tracking and real-time comp systems, so lower budget projects could match studio quality.
After a horrible experience finishing a film we decided to open our own Post House and partnered with Black Magic to create a full sound/color/edit/VFX workflow that’s efficient and cost effective.
We work with the big studios when they want to rent gear, stages, weapons, cop cars, etc, for pick-ups on their blockbuster projects, but we’re also able to accommodate lower budgets with our “ONE STOP SHOP” so they can do it all in one place and deliver high quality compelling stories on budget that sell!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Brilliant Screen Studios is a complete Mini-Studio, where productions can be written, produced, shot, posted and delivered without ever leaving our lot.
Setting us apart is our ability to support the budgets of modern Indie productions AND meet the needs of big studio shows.
We are the Swiss Army Knife of production, able to cut through every problem.
We are fast and efficient, capable and skilled, up to speed on all the cutting edge technology, and wise enough to know when, and how, to use it so you get the best bang for your buck.
We can rent to you as a vendor, produce the project for you, or package the entire production up for you to produce/direct.
The choice is yours to make your vision Brilliant!

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Everyone in our industry knows it takes the support of friends and family to survive this process. Otherwise we implode.
My Mother taught me how to fall in love with the creative process and working with others to make something bigger than ourselves.
My Father taught me how to work hard, every day, grind through the pain and fear to believe in the vision only I could see.
My older Brother fought for me to try, to fail, to try again.
My friends reminded me to laugh and that I was okay to cry.
My wife loved me through all of it, makes me feel like I’m not crazy, and thinks I’m hot. Which really helps when you’re a ginger.
My business partner doesn’t know how to quit and keeps me staggering back onto my feet when I don’t think I can.
It took a village to raise this idiot, and I’m grateful to all of them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brilliantscreen.com
• Instagram: TotalZackWard
• Facebook: Zack Ward
• Twitter: TotalZackWard

Image Credits
Bobby Quillard