Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Landgraf.
Hi Aaron, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I began my love for film and television in high school. Students could take an “Intro to Television Production” class, and on the very first day there, I knew immediately that I was hooked. My background up to that point was in acting for the stage. And while I will never stop loving theatre, the limitless possibilities of film and television appealed to me and challenged my creativity.
My professional video career began as a freelancer in the wedding and live event industry, and I credit those beginnings to my current success in television. Being able to act assertively, creatively problem-solve, and make good judgment calls are valuable skills on set, and I pride myself on these abilities. Whether you’re working on small passion-project sets or large expensive productions, flexibility and confidence is key.
I am currently producing commercials full-time and freelance for both regional sports networks and local stations. While these jobs certainly require lots of creativity, producing “Bandwidth” allows me to fully explore my artistic intentions. Working on bigger productions, your role in the process is often rather limited.
I enjoy being able to participate in all parts of the creative process from pre-production to post, so producing “Bandwidth” allows me to exercise all of my creative muscles and make art that is not beholden to anyone or anything.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Getting a project (or career for that matter) started is always the hardest part. But sustaining it isn’t exactly easy, either…
For the first several years freelancing, I was working long, inconvenient hours and accepting the jobs others didn’t want. Having an end goal in mind allowed me to stay focused and motivated. The same holds true for producing “Bandwidth.” Completely self-funded, this project almost constantly feels as if it could just disintegrate at any moment. From scheduling nightmares to last-minute problem-solving on set, I feel like our crew has seen it all.
We’ve been at it for almost two years now, however, and although the crew has been fluid and the content not always as regular as we hope, I feel like we are finally hitting our creative stride. Good ideas are flowing, interest is being generated, and we have a great core group of individuals ready to overcome any challenges in our way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My full-time job is commercial production for a local television station. We work with many small businesses, schools, agencies, and more, which has exposed me to a wide variety of fun projects.
From scripting to shooting to editing, we do it all in-house, which challenges me to keep every tool in my box sharpened. I am also a regular shooter on “Living St. Louis,” a program on our local PBS affiliate, which highlights the people, places, and culture in our region.
I’m proud of the progress I have made so far in this field, and at the age of 26, I feel optimistic about the opportunities the future holds. I always relish a challenge, and I’m always looking for a new project to tackle.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that no job is too small. Don’t let your own ego convince you that you’re too good or too important for anything. I’ve accepted many small, low-profile jobs that have led to incredibly fulfilling professional relationships and opportunities.
In fact, I generally feel more creatively fulfilled on small, low-budget projects than on big, high-profile productions. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to make a living. Don’t make it harder on yourself than it needs to be.
Contact Info:
- Email: team@508films.com
- Website: 508films.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandwidth_tv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BANDWIDTHSTL/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0IVyz0MeXkPzu294wQ3flQ
