Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Phazes.
Hi Sean, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Sean Phazes I am a director and the owner of Vashr – a hybrid creative agency. Currently in LA and my company operates primarily between LA and NYC.
I grew up on the Southside of Chicago where I developed the foundation that’s carried me through life. I was an athlete growing up, and sports taught me a lot of life lessons as well. I went on to play college football in Minnesota and Georgia. When I finished my athletic career/college, I wasn’t sure what the next chapter looked like. I began working post-graduation as a social worker, which was a great study in human nature – but I knew it was a pit stop to something more. I fell into film after helping a friend on a random music video shoot while living in Minnesota. That shoot was my first experience behind the camera, and I felt the same spark I got from playing sports. I found the creative nature, and ever-changing challenge of filmmaking inspiring. I started to teach myself as much as I could via youtube and working with others.
I threw myself into the fire and moved to NYC. I was working as a social worker during the day and searching for anything I could shoot after work. I was learning the camera by trial and error.
I started working with creative agencies in 2013. Doors started to open. The timing couldn’t have been better because I was just let go from my social worker job. The ideas of advertising were changing at this time. Instagram was becoming the primary platform for brands, so I knew I was going in the right direction. This led me to starting my own company Vashr in 2015. I created my own path which enabled me to open doors for others.
I was able to grow beyond anything I could have learned in school. I have always loved the idea of growing creatively by my own experiences and ways of learning. New York City will forever be the city that gave me my creative spark and opened many doors for me.
We all face challenges but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I first started, I had to wear many hats. I did everything; producing, shooting, and editing. This gave me the ability to understand each side of production and how it all comes together.
In 2020 I worked on a project for the Oscars. I interviewed 30+ nominees about the creative process of filmmaking. This made me realize the true heart of production is the collaborative process.
While I sometimes see myself as a lone wolf director and creative – I have built an amazing small team that are the key to my success.
I struggled with a lot of things as a creative. I went through periods of not knowing how to get in the door…. to getting in the door and making money but I felt like I was just working, and creatively felt empty. Now I make sure I’m workin towards self-growth and on projects that fulfill me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My style of cinematography is dirty, but clean and intimate. I want you to feel what you see.
Vashr’s mission is to authentically create without limits & take up space.
Don’t shrink yourself down to fit a mold. Technical and scholastic training is great but I started vashr as a self-taught entrepreneur who lives and thinks outside any box. Creatives don’t have to be limited by traditional blueprints and can create your own formats that align with your free vision.
I look forward to expanding and telling meaningful stories. Authenticity is 1st, and something that will continue to lead me personally and in my career. I am currently directing my first television show for FUSE while simultaneously developing a feature documentary.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I have been in LA for 3 years now. I love the duality of the city. You can go on a hike or to the beach within an hour on most days. Great restaurants, weather, and it’s just a nice vibe.
Contact Info:
- Website: vashr.com
- Instagram: @seanphazes
