Conversations with Parker Brennon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Parker Brennon.

Hi Parker, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Ohio without any connections to the motion picture industry. I started in the least glamorous way possible — making shorts on a webcam. Back in 2008, webcam quality was pretty bad. The only actors I had were my younger siblings and neighbors. Nobody outside my own family would want to watch those movies today. In high school, I was lucky to take an elective class on film history. Our final assignment was to make our own movies, and because I had so much practice under my belt, my shorts stood out from the crowd. The positive feedback from my teacher and class led me to consider a future in the film industry. I eventually attended Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where I studied writing, directing, and producing. After graduation, I released several award-winning shorts. Finally, in 2022, I met Rob Jarosinski who took a shine to my work. He agreed to produce my first feature-length film. This opportunity changed my life and continues to shape my future.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
So far, there have been two phases of my professional life that were most challenging. The first was after graduating from college. I wanted to move back to Ohio to be near my family, but I also knew that if I lived there, I’d have to make my own opportunities as a writer/director. The shorts I made each had successes, but nothing that brought more significant opportunities. Those years of uncertainty required a lot of self-motivation. If I didn’t love what I was doing, giving up would have been easy. The next most challenging phase was when I got to write and direct my first feature-length film. I had made many movies before, but the most expensive was only a $12,000 short. The budget for ‘Hauntology’ ended up reaching a staggering $600,000. In the context of the film industry, this budget is relatively low, but for me, it was a whole new world. The production went well, but I’ve never had to work so hard on a project. It consumed me entirely for two years.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer/director who specializes in the horror genre. I like any story with dark elements, whether it’s a mystery, thriller, or drama. As ominous as that could sound, I usually infuse a unique sense of humor in my work. I say unique, because the humor is only sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I’d describe it as strange and amusing moments that act as a light in the darkness. What sets me apart from others is probably my queer perspective. I identify as non-binary and feel a special kinship with the women in my work. I’ve always been told that I’m a skilled writer, and judging by the incredible actors who agreed to appear in ‘Hauntology,’ I know my words were good for something. ‘Hauntology’ is the project I’m most proud of, and I’m happy to share that we have some exciting festival screenings coming up this summer. Our world premiere will be June 29th at Dances With Films in Los Angeles.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The first things that come to mind are my ability to communicate what I want and my attention to detail. Both are essential for a film director. I also keep a positive vibe on set, and my cast and crew often tell me how much they enjoyed our collaboration. The secret to a positive vibe on set is hiring good people. Having a professional and talented team makes all the difference!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.parkerbrennon.com/
• Twitter: https://x.com/parkerbrennon
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/parkerbrennonfilms
• Other: https://letterboxd.com/parkerbrennon/

Image Credits
Rainbow Swan, LLC, Parker Brennon, Matthew Lydy