Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Butler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brianna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Although I always felt I had a natural knack for acting and singing as well, I focused in on dance and started out working as a professional cheerleader for the Florida Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and the Miami Heat. Though I was living my dream at the time and was making awesome connections and relationships that will last me a lifetime, I felt it was time to explore and expand as an artist. Somewhere in between Dancing for the Dolphins and the Heat, a friend of mine introduced me to the acting world. I took a workshop with her and immediately fell in love! I was so inspired by the talent around me and the craft in itself that I continued to take acting classes and very shortly after I changed my field of study in college from Pharmacy to Film and Theatre. The change was abrupt and at first misunderstood by my family and friends because no one had known me to be an actress prior, but there was something inexplicable I felt God placed in my heart and to me it was clear as day that I was supposed to live out this new dream of mine; Even if I was the only one who believed.
I then finished the film/theatre program and graduated from Florida Atlantic University and simultaneously had just been signed to one of the largest talent agencies in Atlanta! My rookie season as a Miami Heat Dancer was also coming to a close and I was faced with a big life decision. Do I return for another season with the Heat, which I was very much so enjoying and felt comfortable in; or do I leave everything and everyone I know behind to move to a new city, to pursue my new dream, alone. I realized I had no reason or excuse to stay. School was completed basketball season was over, and I was just signed to an agency that could only represent me if I relocated to Atlanta. I decided to take the leap of faith, and only three weeks after being signed, I hopped in the car with just me and my pup and hit the road to my new home Atlanta!
By this time, I had the full support of my family and excited to start my acting career. There was so much to learn and it was difficult finding my way at first. I was very discouraged and lonely and was even tempted to go back to the familiar and become an Atlanta Hawks cheerleader. Instead, I stayed focused and full of faith until amazing things started happening! In my very first in person, directors session audition, I was apart of the final few to be selected as the LEAD in a movie, Honey 4! Although the role ended up going to Teyana Taylor, I was beyond grateful to even be in the conversation! I felt it was God’s way of showing me just how quickly he can work and assuring me I made the right decision. I was so excited you would have thought I booked the role!
Shortly after, I did book my first role as Tara, which happened to be on an Emmy awarded show called Atlanta! and then another in a Hallmark movie Christmas Everlasting playing Lucy, the younger version of our LEAD Tatyana Ali, and another in Step up Highwater and yet another on BET’s American Soul as Rose. These were all in my first two years of being here! In the midst of getting my acting career started, I picked up screenwriting and wrote, produced, cast, and starred in my own independent action film called Jade which received excellent feedback and is in film festivals now. You can imagine the excitement and gratefulness I feel for listening to God’s voice taking that leap of faith to pursue my acting career.
Most recently, I decided to keep expanding and explore another talent in music. I released my first single on all major platforms called “Easy to Love” and am in the process of shooting a music video for it! My team and I are making the video happen in the midst of me working on an EP and shooting as the LEAD in two feature films this month, and writing up an extended version of my action film Jade. Music has definitely shifted from a hobby to a passion, and I won’t be taking my foot off the gas with that either!
In the midst of pursuing my own dreams, I have realized that the point of all of this much bigger than me. I find great purpose and joy in encouraging and inspiring others to relentlessly follow their dreams as well. We are all created to be great, the trick is to find beauty in the uncomfortable, for that is where your greatness lies!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all! There have been many days where I didn’t know how I would pay my rent, or if I’d have enough food for the week. There was even a point where I had been fired from my day job because I prioritized a callback audition when Lord knows I could not afford to lose my job. Countless nights of crying because money is low, resources are limited, I’m far away from my family.
Please tell us about Brianna Butler LLC.
I started a company Brianna Butler LLC where I offer my services as a consultant/self-tape service. The main difference between my business and others is that along with self-taping auditions, I do makeup/wardrobe for clients as well as coaching, guidance on branding, and consultations where we go over everything needed to land an agent and get your acting career started.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I have learned that patience and persistence is key to accomplishing anything substantial. No one likes the discomfort, but overcoming struggles and unfamiliar territory is a necessary part of the journey to qualify you for what is to come. I’ve learned to embrace hardships and trust the process and God’s perfect timing.
Pricing:
- 1-hour consultation on landing agent $100
- Self Taping 30 mins: $25 / 1 Hour: $45 / 1.5 hours:$65
- Makeup-$40 if taping, $65 face only
Contact Info:
- Email: sbriannabutler@gmail.com
- Instagram: briannabutler22
- Twitter: briannabutler22
Image Credit:
charlie shutter speed Miami Heat
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