Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Cornack.
Hi Tyler, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
This always feels strange talking about myself… but here goes nothing… I grew up being obsessed with movies. I would go to my grandparent’s house after school and watch the same VHS tapes on repeat. Planes Trains and Automobiles, Jungle Book, and Free Willy. I like to think there is still a bit of those in every project I do to this day. In high school, I spent all my time behind a camera, shooting with anyone that was willing to give me the time. I remember there was a point where all my friends were sick of me asking them to be the short films I was trying to do. That’s when I knew it may be a healthy obsession.
As soon as I graduated, I spent a short time pursuing music in Boston. I would still film occasionally but kind of lost sight of my love for it. With no real prospects on the music front, I decided to go to school in Miami for advertising. I had some family in the AD world, so it seemed tangible. However, in college my love of film came back to fruition. I didn’t want to do anything but film things. In exchange for other people doing my homework in design or typography, I would shoot there video projects. Edit them and all. It was then I met with one of my professors who encouraged me to move to LA and pursue filmmaking.
I moved out west with no friends and a very shitty apartment. I did two years at LAFS where I got my degree in film. I have very mixed feelings about film school. I don’t know if it was entirely necessary, but I also met many of the people I love and work with today.
Out of school, I freelanced edited. Wedding video’s, promos. Anything that helped with rent. I am fortunate enough to say that my parents were always around to help me in pursuing of my dream. They have always been such an amazing support system for me. I love them more than anything in the world.
One of my odd jobs was running a music school here in LA. It was a very shady business but allowed the freedoms of downtime and creative thinking. The guy who got me the job when I was broke was Ryan Koch. We would laugh at the shadiness of the company we were fully in charge of. And through that came “TINY CINEMA”. A comedy group we started up with our other partner Bill Morean. Bill has done more for my career than I can ever explain to anyone. Not only did he invest in most of the crazy ideas, but together we have grown a tone in our decade of knowing each other.
Through one of the comedy sketches was the birth of my first feature film, “BUTT BOY”. The original short was one min. Long and about a man who gets addicted to sticking things up his Butt… I know what you are thinking… Wait… What?
I’m not sure seeing the film would do much better in explaining it. But I recommend checking it out. To our surprise, it gained lots of traction on the festival circuits and has lead to some amazing things.
Currently, I am in post-production for the “Tiny Cinema” Movie. Funded by the same company that ended up buying Butt Boy from Fantastic Fest. I am also pitching a few script ideas all over town to keep the train rolling.
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?
Not smooth at all. The road is mostly bumps and potholes, with the occasional smooth stretch. I’ve learned it’s important to celebrate the smooth whenever it comes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a writer/ director. I am proud of most of my work. Other things, not so much. I am most proud of staying true to my roots. Never backing down, never getting intimidated, or if I do… learning to mask it. I think that is something that may set me apart from others as well.
What’s next?
Making more movies. Proving people wrong. Making people laugh. Being true to myself. And balancing a family life. I truly have the sweetest girlfriend in the world, who makes me a better person in all aspects of my life. I look forward to living my life out with her.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Tiny_Cinema
Image Credits:
Epic Pictures, Chris Boyland, Tiny Cinema, Austin Lewis, Ryan Koch
