Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Monnone.
Hi Brian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a kid, I could hear a song and imagine a new commercial or scene from a movie. Music was and still is a major inspiration to me. In the 5th grade during the early 80’s my dad bought me a Commodore 64 computer. It was everything to me back then. I taught myself how to program BASIC because I wanted to make my own adventure game. I later taught myself how to edit photos using Photoshop in the mid 90’s and that eventually grew into an interest in motion graphics.
In 2000, I began working professionally in advertising as a motion graphic designer. I specialized in technologies such as Flash and various programming languages, After Effects and other effects-based tools as well as video and audio software. I created most of my work from scratch, even the music in my work. I loved experimenting and pushing the bounds of programmed animation and music. While not schooled in the subject, I excelled at my craft, constantly learning and practicing. During this time, I co-wrote six books on the subject of web animation and motion graphic techniques and lead a team of motion graphic artists. While I’ve garnered many advertising awards for my work that was not my motivation. I simply wanted to just, “make something cool.”
When the project called for it, video would need to be filmed and edited. Again, I taught myself everything I needed to know from camera setups, lighting, audio, and scene composition. Over time I would work with videographers, creative directors, and writers.
In 2018 it was officially time to do this on my own. After finding success shooting local TV commercials and web-based video projects, I started Big Flavor Films, LLC. We currently work on all kinds of projects from national TV commercials to music videos and everything in between.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always challenges no matter the profession. My biggest challenge is that it was up to me alone to learn the tools, techniques, and the business of videography and filming.
While working at the agencies, I also freelanced, building many relationships with lots of other agencies in Austin and other professionals. It didn’t take long to find the right people to help take my company to the next level.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Big Flavor Films had to happen. Around 2015 while working for a large agency I kept pitching the idea that video is the next big thing. In 2000 I was at the forefront when the animation wave hit the Internet. In 2015 I just knew video was the next big wave. Video was being consumed more and more and proved to be gaining in popularity online. Internet speeds increased, smartphones were getting smarter, camera, lighting, and related gear began to be more accessible. Despite all this the agency constantly pushed back. I just didn’t think we were creating enough video. After being told over and over the agency isn’t interested in producing video content to scale and didn’t find an importance in it, I left in 2018.
This was my chance to make use of all that childhood daydreaming. My background in motion graphic design helped tremendously. It helped me understand composition, storytelling, color, and editing. I started slowly. I made a few very low-budget local TV commercials that proved to be highly successful. I later brought in a few long-time friends and colleagues to help. We made social videos, small music videos, filmed presentations and just about anything people trusted us with. And so it began, Big Flavor Films, LLC.
Big Flavor Films’ specialty is the ability to keep production nimble, fast, and mobile while creating the best possible image. We create high-quality videos in all sorts of categories from national and local television commercials, music videos, live performances, presentations/talking heads, products, documentaries to multicam interviews even in a 1969 Camaro (yes, we’ve done it). We do not limit the scope of work we get involved in.
We manage to remain competitively priced while still offering professional, high-quality work that is accessible to any budget. We have the ability to scale from a very small one man band to an entire crew. We can do this because we work with a talented pool of professionals from all over Texas.
Whatever project we get involved in, the story is very important to us. Selling dumpsters and need a series of videos online? Great! What’s the story? Selling one-carb cookies in local grocery stores? Awesome, what’s the story? I always ask, why are we making this and what’s the end goal? We like to work closely with our clients to get a better understanding of what they need from the project. We love storytelling, dreaming, and problem-solving, no matter what the subject is.
One of my most important assets is the ability to find solutions, research, and simply figure it out. Because of the way we work, I find that we are required to find solutions on the fly. Sure we approach every project with the same level of planning, detail, and preparation but on set or in the field, things change and we’re good at keeping the project running smoothly.
Even though I’m constantly learning (as we all should), I’m a master at my craft because I genuinely love to do what I do. I make things for people and businesses and I love impressing them. Nothing is half-assed and everything is important; even that video series about renting dumpsters.
How do you think about happiness?
Happiness is the single most important thing for the soul and the mind. It keeps ideas flowing and fresh. I can’t always be happy or walk around with a smile glued to my face but I definitely try. My family, friends, and my dogs keep me happy. Driving as fast as I can at the racetrack makes me happy as well as sane; try wiping THAT smile from my face. Travel makes me happy. A project that turned out great and made my friends and clients smile in turn make me smile. We love to travel the country to see and hear live music. It keeps me grounded but also allows me to dream a little. It takes me places mentally and physically. Many of my friends are musicians and many are also music lovers. Those things make me happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@bigflavorfilms.com
- Website: https://www.bigflavorfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigflavorfilms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigflavorfilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLEzZaIERHLh9URN2-G8v2A
