We had the good fortune of connecting with Bret Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bret, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My background and upbringing played a major part in who I am today and who I will be in the future. My grandfather was a lifelong entrepreneur, owning and operating Bob-Lo Boat and Island for thirty years. My parents were always warm and encouraging, pushing me to shoot for the stars and to create a life I wanted for myself. Now, I feel both of these influences in my work every single day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I consider myself a filmmaker first because I like to get my hands around multiple different roles within the creative process. I fell in love with screenwriting as a young child, so that’s always been my first love. But I’m so inspired by visuals, showing different emotions and creating drama through framing, color, and focal length. While I’m proud of my work and excited for the projects to come, of course, it hasn’t been easy. In fact, every single day is challenging in one way or another. I often feel like I’m adrift at sea, fighting against the towering waves with everything I have before they swallow me whole.

The only way to solve these problems is to go through them. So, I remind myself to stay the course. To do the little things, most of which I won’t see the effects of for years to come. That type of discipline can become disrupted easily, but I’m proud to say that I have a good grasp on where my journey is taking me. I’m lucky in that way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Detroit is the best, spent many years in the city. I’d have to start with a cup of coffee at The Congregation or The Gathering (maybe both?), then I’d zip over to the DIA. After that, we’d grab a pint at Batch Brewing before slamming one of those burgers from Bronx Bar. Couple of bars in the Corridor later, gotta end with late night at HoJo’s (Honest Johns).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I mentioned my grandfather and my parents previously, they have been incredible influences throughout my life. I definitely wouldn’t be on the trajectory I am now without my superhero wife, Emily, and our pup, Chauncey.

Industry mentors Bill Vincent, DJ Perry, and John Strauss have been so supportive for years now, I’m lucky to call them friends. And a handful of companies in the Detroit area really fostered my creativity from the moment I graduated from Michigan State University: the Eightfold Collective, Woodward Original, Reprise Post, Tibbs & Co., and AlfredTomaszewski, to name just a few.

Website: bretmillerfilmmaker.com

Instagram: bretmiller_filmmaker

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/bret-miller-22a02775/

Twitter: @bretmiller_film

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bret.miller.735/

Other: vimeo.com/bretmillerfilmmaker

Image Credits
Alexandra Cross, Jeen Na.

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