FilmmakerTravis Beauchamp

Travis Beauchamp is a 27 year old filmmaker from Mill Valley CA. He's  been making films since he was 8 years old and can't get enough.  Travis graduated in 2006 from UCSC with a degree in Film and Digital Media. Worked at InCA Productions as a production assistant and Associate Producer on the series "Keeping Score". Currently Executive Producer at East Point Pictures, specializing in music videos, non-profit promos and documentaries.Travis is currently producing a documentary series called "The Smash Brothers", about the teenage prodigies who turned a party game into a competition for thousands of dollars - and discovered themselves along the way.

How do you handle rejection?

The most successful people all have one thing in common: abject failures in their wakes. Rejection teaches you what to stand up for and what to fold on.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

I started making films when I was 8 years old so yeah, I guess always. To me, the process of filmmaking grew right out of "playing pretend" with your friends. You're actively fashioning a universe of your own making by putting images together like that. It's a controlled, personal exploration.

 What is the best thing about being one?

People have to accept your title as Executive Producer even if you're the only one at your company. XD

What is the worst thing about being one?

EVERYONE tells you what you should do. That's the fine line: how much creative input do you take from others until you've sacrificed your art? It's different for every filmmaker.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Since I was 8 years old? Well over 100 individual projects. From my first film "The Christmas Chresh", to subversive self-reflective college films to straight up documentary work as Associate Producer for InCA Productions to music videos for Berklee musicians (here's my latest: http://vimeo.com/28798926). I have yet to do porn though...

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

Brendon Small. Hands down amazing writer/director/voice actor.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to

make it in the movie business?

It is always changing. You can approach it from a thousand different angles so don't worry if one path sucks the life out of you - another could be your calling.

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

Music and video games. And food. I'm becoming a better cook lately.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?

I still do. I work part time at Patagonia to "make ends meet" (which they don't). Not ideal, but necessary at the moment. And as a company, you can't do much better than Patagonia.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

Home Movies - nobody does it like Brendon Small. :)

Akira - beautiful, uniquely Japanese self-reflection on technology and social unrest.

Cowboy Bebop - greatest combination of music and animation since Fantasia.

 How would you describe your film education?

Mired in drugs. I did learn a few things in school, so go if you can, but I mostly rediscovered my passion after going to school for it, which is a shame. UCSC offers a great program... it's just they also offer great drugs.

How has social media / crowdfunding changed the independent film industry?

Crowdfunding through sites like Kickstarter or Indie Go Go can be amazingly effective IF you have an audience and the right story to sell. The game has changed since the studio days where one company dictated artistic norms and practices. You could write a dissertation on the subject, but the important thing is that you can now accomplish your goals through many different channels instead of floundering around as a fluffer in LA.

 How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

Mainstream projects have lots of money riding on them, so they must necessarily appeal to the widest possible audience. Ridiculous  movies like Transformers 2 or Battleship or Battle: LA don't need to worry about catering to anything but our basest story expectations - every nationality can comprehend explosions.

Independent projects open the opportunity for connections to be made with a specific community or element of humanity. Not as much riding on it, but also not as much restriction.

You could go back in time and see any film being made. Which film would it be and why?

2001: A Space Odyssey. I imagine Kubrick would be an interesting director to watch, especially on a project of such temporal scale.

 What's your favorite movie quote and why?

"It's game over man! It's just game over!" - I don't think this one needs much explanation. :)

Do you believe in life on other planets?

Absolutely. Though I don't think we will ever be able to make contact with an "intelligent" life form (we share 99% of the same genetic material with chimps, yet the closest we've come to communication isn't what I'd call intelligent).

Do you ever wish you had a super power? If so, what would it be and why?

Hells yeah. Teleportation. Makes everything in life a BILLION times easier.

 What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

Eh. The batting average on sequels isn't that persuasive, but because of the grand slams (Aliens, Terminator 2) I'd leave the door open. Remakes, however, are blatantly stupid and should be punished with banishment.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

I think they can be done well. You just need a filmmaker who truly understands the source material. That much is key.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The future portends a lot of new incredible storytelling mediums - immersive video games where you experience and influence a story as it happens; interaction through massive multiplayer formats in a digital realm; total holographic experiences. It will be all encompassing and truly exciting. I just hope we keep what is important about our humanity as we explore.