Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Tyler.
Hi Ben, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My entire life has been entrenched in art. From childhood, I’ve always felt in tune with a different side of reality. Being a kid, I could be sitting in a real-life environment (surrounded by friends and family or whatever the case be) yet see and feel a story, more like a movie happening, wherever I was at. No limit to my imagination. To be honest, for the longest I used to reject the artistic side in me, being so focused on the social aspect of my life. But that type of sensory isn’t something you can escape.
It got me accepted into a Visual and Performing Arts School back in Jackson, MS, where I’m from and owe all my life experiences. That sharpened my knowledge and gave me the tools to really see the world in a different way. So now I see patterns in the grittiest environments, I understand colors, I pick up symmetry, and with that understanding comes the ability to know when to reject every single one of those rules. I spent a good bit of my life wondering what outlet, what form of art, would I be able to best express my imagination. It ended up being through the lens of a camera.
I started taking graduation pictures in college but didn’t feel satisfied taking stills. So I fell in love with motion. There are so many possibilities with movement. I got my degree in Advertising from the University of Southern Mississippi, but after graduation, I really felt lost. It’s one of those situations where you have a passion and a dream, but the people around you don’t see it as something that’s achievable. I thought about film school but honestly didn’t want to take on the debt. It wasn’t until the passing of my grandmother that I moved to Atlanta. I needed immediate change. Yet, somehow that dark point in life created a fire in me to go and get everything that belonged to me. My passion. My dreams. They belong to me.
That’s something I lost touch with getting caught in the cycle of working 10-hour shifts 5 days a week to support the new move. But It was set up for me to work for and be my own boss since those childhood days we talked about earlier. So I quit my 9-5 as a rental branch management trainee exactly two years ago. Fast forward to today, I’ve built a brand of my own, the Left Hand Film Company. The goal is and has always been to get better every day, add new twists and elements to the craft, to learn every single job and aspect in this field of the film… and to make it in my own lane, telling stories with my own stamp.
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?
It definitely has been the most rugged and rough road I could have ever possibly traveled on. But I don’t regret a single day. In general, with all the challenges of being a self-employed entrepreneur, it’s tough. I’ve been in business for 2 solid years now, shooting and directing music videos, and more recently commercials and short films. There’s still a lot to learn about in terms of truly owning a business. Being prepared for things you might not expect to happen. And then just having a business in the creative field at that. So you know, there are Highs and Lows. Your checks aren’t guaranteed every two weeks or thirty days. Especially when you pride the quality of the art in comparison to making as much as possible. So now, the goal is to maintain a consistent model and build on top of that. I want people to “feel” my value. I want them to feel a personal tie to the brand and the visuals I create for them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an Independent Filmmaker and Music Video Director. I direct, light, shoot, edit, and color correct every one of my projects. Everything from creative concepts, music videos, commercials, short films, and wedding films. I’m not limited to one niche, because I feel like I’ve found that ability to “flip the switch” or change how I think and how I capture images in certain situations, depending on what the project calls for.
I specialize in Music Videos. and yeah, I’ve got the diverse artistic experience, but it’s my ability to resonate with emotions that I feel sets me apart. The idea starts with a feeling. And Emotions dictate camera movements, shot choices, cuts, transitions, color grading. From the moment I hear a new song, It’s immediate “lights camera action” mentally. I always compare the film to fashion, it’s a combination of the right textures, the right amount of simplicity and disruption. Knowing what feels right is an ability in itself.
I released a short film called “Who is Hector?” on YouTube back in May. It’s been on of my greatest personal accomplishments. It was the first time I really shared a version of myself through that medium. A visual story about the culmination of personal vice and temptation. I built a set of 5-foot mechanical black angel wings from scratch for that one. So yeah, I’m definitely proud of this moment. The best frames I’ve shot to date. Make sure you check it out!
How do you define success?
In my opinion, success is progress. Success is being able to evolve and push forward with a specific goal in mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lefthandfilmco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benj.tyler/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWblg_m0stcJ4RzqHRRJKhg
