Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Lee W.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It always puts a smile on my face when I am able to put a smile on someone’s face. Entertaining has always been the core of my soul. Growing up in Gary, Indiana the hometown of “The King of Pop” Michael Jackson, his spirit of fame and entertainment resonated with everyone from the city of Gary. Growing up with a large talented family as well, every one of my siblings had the drive to work whatever room we were in and hold an audience attention. Therefore, throughout my youth, I entertained at every opportunity that came my way; dancing, singing, acting, hosting, rapping, but the finished product of acting on film has always weighed the heaviest on my heart. With that being said, being an Actor became my foundation.
On the contrary, I discovered being able to act will NOT make you an Actor/Actress. Being an Actor requires you to have a business mindset, as an Actor you are your own business. When I moved to Nashville, TN I became serious about acting, I quickly learned all of the expensive investments an Actor has to make in themselves. Even with all of the acting classes I have participated in, hardly anyone teaches the business side of the “Show Business.” The marketing materials that your business as an Actor needs to work, and I had to learn that from the School of Hard Knocks.
In later years, while building my Acting career I was not in a rush to move to Hollywood, because this valuable advice was giving to me, “Hollywood will always be there waiting on you, learn your craft of acting, continue to invest/build your Acting portfolio and test the waters in the area you are currently in, because if you can not get noticed and build an audience where you are currently, you will not have the skillset to get noticed and build an audience in Hollywood”
After acting in commercials, independent projects, popular web series [“#WeiredMYAH”], and my first feature film [“Still Got Joy”], I felt that the Actor “Brandon Lee W.” had secured his acting footprint in the town of Nashville, TN, and as the proverb saying goes “when the student is ready the teacher will appear” and the teacher, Professor Hollywood appeared in my life with the opportunity for me to relocate to Los Angeles and continue to build my craft and business as an Actor while also studying to receiving a Master’s Degree in Film from the New York Film Academy, expected graduation date May 2020.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road you ask? Giving the fact that I drove 29 hours from Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, I surprised myself, friends and family. This established that I was determined and had the drive to face whatever roads were ahead of me. Driving 29 hours through rain, darkness, tumbleweed, snow, and sandstorms, I now understand why Route 66 is so famous, Ha! What an incredible obstacle and this was just the pre-requisite to make it to LA. However, once the 29th-hour hit and I witness the beautiful palm trees and majestic mountains, the beautiful scenery made it all worth it.
After arriving in Los Angeles, I am experiencing why they call LA the Acting Olympics, but the competitive spirit lives in me and auditioning for roles against hundreds of thousands of other Actors is all apart of the sport. Once I book a role the satisfaction is greater than if I hit the lottery because honestly, sometimes your chances of booking a role are more challenging than winning the Power Ball.
My current challenges are scouting out my own auditions. It has been a bit of a bumpy road, but having the actual opportunity for more auditions would be smoother if I had an agent. Therefore, I am currently seeking representation, and I have a couple of meetings scheduled with agencies to establish a possible partnership.
However, I embrace all of the struggles I receive, because what I have come to realize is, if you do not go through the challenging process to get what you want, you will not have the power to keep what you have received.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As an Actor in a business setting, we are labeled as an “independent contractor.” However, in the film industry we are viewed as ‘the talent”, but the main role of an Actor is to be the additional element in the creative process of storytelling.
I tell stories by creating my own content or being hired to share my creative talents on-screen. When film projects are in production, I, as an Actor bring whatever creative skill that is necessary to complete the vision of the story that is being told.
Due to my range of emotion, humor, comedic timing, and vocal abilities, films I specialize in are Dramas, Comedies, and Musicals.
The pride that I have now stems from one word, GROWTH! I am blessed to have new avenues open up for me. Outside of acting on screen, I have experience working in Motion Capture, which is really cool and fun, in addition, I have extended into Voiceover productions as well. Another big avenue I have experienced would be Stand Up Comedy. Performing at the HAHA Club for the first time this year, I received great reviews. Now, this has been added to another skill set to craft for my creative tool belt.
Overall, not to boast myself, but when I do I must give glory to God because what honestly sets me apart from others in my field is that I truly have been blessed with multiple areas of talent. A jack of all trades; a singer, dancer, actor, athlete, comedian, also, having the skills to edit audio/video. Therefore, with me acquiring these tools, talents, and knowledge, I will never stop creating.
Furthermore, if any other creative storytellers would like to collaborate on a project, I am always open to chat about the possibilities of creating content together. Also, check some of my content on my website www.BrandonLeeW.com or view my social media.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up with a big family, which equals a lot of different personality traits. I found the good and funny in each one and learning from my family molded me into a large part of who I am today. Even in my youth, I believe my family led me to be the cool kid in school. I got along with everybody, jocks, hipsters, nerds. My charm and ability to make people laugh made me a teacher’s pet and everyone’s favorite friend. Plus I loved to dance, then I realized it’s not fun dancing alone, therefore I threw parties, and the rise of my popularity began, and I became known in my community as “The Party Boy”.
My creativeness began in my teens years as well, I was always interested in creating something, new dance moves, new catchphrase, new music, then at the age of 15 I got my hands on my first camera and captured every moment. I found it very interesting how I could edit what was filmed and enhance it in a unique, cool, fun way.
The feeling of that young boy inside of me still pops out when I meet and charm new people also when a creative idea pops in my head. So I guess I will never stop creating and I will never stop growing up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brandonleew.com/
- Phone: 2139993989
- Email: BW@BrandonLeeW.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thankgodimfamous/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThankGODimFamous/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TGIF89
- Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/BrandonLeeW
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