Rising Star Jack Bremen Of Bremen Productions On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Diane Strand
“Don’t sweat the small stuff, because it’s all small stuff.” This quote always helps me put things in perspective.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jack Bremen.
Jack Bremen is one of the rare individuals who possesses a broad professional skill set and a true zest for life. With experience ranging from the creative and performing arts to marketing and technology, Jack is comfortable both in front of and behind the camera, at his computer, in a business meeting, or on a surfboard. His diverse career has included work in nearly every facet of communications, from academia and technology to media production and filmmaking. To learn more about Jack, visit https://jackbremen.com.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in Dallas, Texas loving movies, TV, and eventually video games and computers. I made skateboard videos in high school in the 80s and PSA and reality TV type content in college in the 90s. I think I always knew that my goal was to make a feature length film someday.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
While I enjoy watching movies to escape I don’t personally like content with violent or sad story lines. My favorite movies have always been lighthearted comedies that don’t take themselves too seriously. That’s why I wanted to make a movie like Haunted Happy Hour that despite the name isn’t scary and can be watched multiple times.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Probably the most interesting thing that’s happened is how everything lined up for me to make Haunted Happy Hour. My friend Jeff’s bar became available to use as a potential filming location, so I had to make a decision about if I was going to take the opportunity to make a movie there. The setting being a bar in St. Pete, FL led to the idea of a haunted bar, and from there the story unfolded in my head and I pulled off making a feature length film within about six months.
It has been said that mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I think the funniest mistake was trying to figure out how to make fake blood look as real as possible in my first short film. It’s harder than you think, lol.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I have an idea for a black and white short film (written and ready for production) and I’m in preproduction on a few documentaries.
As a rising star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated and overcome obstacles in your career?
I think what helps me is being realistic about my own expectations and doing the best I can within my given constraints.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Film and TV should have the creative input of people with a wide range of lived experiences. I think having diverse input in every aspect of production, from writing to producing, directing, acting, editing, music, etc. helps humans better understand and communicate with each other, which positively impacts our culture overall.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
1. Don’t worry about what other people think. Make content you want to make.
For example, Haunted Happy Hour doesn’t easily fit into one niche, but it’s the movie I wanted to make.
2. Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Do the best you can with the resources you have available.
For example, due to a tight budget I used one Airbnb as three different set locations.
3. Remain open minded to input and feedback from other people involved in your projects.
Sometimes allowing actors to improv lines can allow scenes to turn out even better.
4. Budget more for post-production and marketing.
It’s both a creative endeavor and a business.
5. Distribution and getting your movie sold is probably the toughest part of the entire process.
I learned that the business is always evolving, and it may take some time to find the best fit.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Work at your own pace and take time for your own personal well being and mental health.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
It would be related to moving through life with kindness and compassion towards others, animals, and nature. If more people did this, I think the world would be a much better place.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My wife has always been my biggest cheerleader and partner. She has always encouraged me to follow my creative pursuits, provided honest, but supportive feedback, and she has even been involved with my projects, as either script supervisor or casting director.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Don’t sweat the small stuff, because it’s all small stuff.” This quote always helps me put things in perspective.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to share a meal with Mark Borchardt. I’ve watched American Movie many times and he definitely inspired me to follow my film making pursuits.
How can our readers follow you online?
JackBremen.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you for including me!
About The Interviewer: Diane Strand is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur, executive producer, best-selling author, nonprofit founder, TEDx and national speaker with more than two decades of success in media, education, and creative entrepreneurship. She is the majority owner of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc. and JDS Actors Studio, and the founder of the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy (JDSCA) — a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing education, inclusion, and workforce development through the arts. As the creator and executive producer of Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America — a nationally streamed and locally broadcast ABC TV series — Diane continues to break new ground in creative media, producing the first magazine-style news and information show of its kind in Riverside County. A trailblazer in inclusive education, Diane has authored two state-approved training programs — a Title 17 video production job-training day program for adults with developmental disabilities and a California State Apprenticeship program in media and the arts. Diane has helped launch more than 100 creative careers, as actors, writers, directors, and producers transforming lives and strengthening the creative workforce pipeline in Southern California and beyond. In 2017, Diane founded DigiFest® Temecula, an award-winning annual festival that celebrates digital media, storytelling, and innovation across all creative disciplines. Now entering its 10th year, DigiFest® has evolved into a nationally recognized event uniting students, professionals, and thought leaders from film, television, gaming, design, podcasting, and emerging technologies. The festival embodies Diane’s mission to merge creativity, community, and opportunity — showcasing how the arts can drive education, empowerment, and industry growth. Diane’s Hollywood career includes credits on Friends, General Hospital, and Veronica’s Closet, as well as producing for Barbra Streisand, Disney Channel, and Universal Creative, where she helped launch Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney and contributed to the high-definition control room build at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena). As a Lead Columnist for Authority Magazine, Diane now shines a national spotlight on visionary thought leaders, entertainers, changemakers, and philanthropists who are shaping the future of creativity, inclusion, and social impact. If you’re a celebrity, industry innovator, or business leader passionate about using the arts to transform lives, Diane invites you to connect, collaborate, and share your story to help inspire the next generation of innovators.
Rising Star Jack Bremen Of Bremen Productions On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.