Brandon Fobbs

Interview by Uriah Young

 

 

QFTD: When did you decide you wanted to become an actor?

 

Brandon: In 1993, when I was sitting in the movie theater watching Pulp Fiction. My best friend and I were laughing our butts off at Samuel L. Jackson in the apartment scene. And that's when it hit me like a light switch turning on. I said,"That's what I want to do."

 

QFTD: Who are some actors that you found inspirational and made you want to strive for your dreams?

 

Brandon: Well, of course Samuel Jackson early on. Then, there was Robert De Niro. After him, Brad Pitt, and that was because I started deciding that I wanted to be a Leading Man/ Character actor. I always liked Denzel, but never really desired much from him or to be like him. Oh, and Will Smith, not so much for his acting, but more so because we share a similar type of spirit. 

 

QFTD: What was it like being on The Wire? Were you upset when your character was killed?

 

Brandon: The Wire was my first nation wide professional speaking role on a television show. I was so blessed and didn't even fully realize it. To be a part of one of the most widely respected shows in the industry is an amazing credit to have on the resume, not to mention that it was also one of the largest Black cast television shows of all time. But at the time I was on the show, I actually was more concerned with the fact that I was playing ANOTHER drug dealer. Lol. But when the time came to die, I surely didn't want to go... But it worked out for the best. I'm where I am today.

 

QFTD: What are some projects you are currently working on?

 

Brandon: It's kind of funny you should ask that, because amongst a couple of independent projects that I've done, I am back on an HBO show that will begin filming in July '13. It's called Getting On. It's an adaptation of a popular BBC show about doctors, nurses, and patients of a women's geriatric ward. One of the independent films I did is called Channeling. It's actually doing very well in the Film Festivals, and we hope that it will attain wide distribution. That just means playing in films across the country. 

 

QFTD: Tell us about your journey to the big screen and what it was like working with other established actors.

 

Brandon: The Journey was definitely one that I was built for. There are many other avenues I have tried to travel, and none felt so right as acting and the creative visual arts. I say I was built for it because there were many challenges that came my way. There were many things that tried to pull me off track, like relationships, jobs promising more money, and times feeling like no one else believed in me. That may not have been true, but it sure felt that way sometimes. But overall I truly enjoyed it, the journey that is. And to work with established actors just felt like God's promise was being affirmed. There weren't too many times that I felt nervous about who I was working with, just more-so amazed that I was deemed capable of being there. There comes a time when you really do step back from yourself and say, "It wasn't just my talent that got me here."

 

QFTD: What is your ultimate goal as an artist, who acts, directs, and does so many other things?

 

Brandon: My ultimate goal is to spread love first and foremost. And the chosen way that I am to do that is through the visual arts. I really want to inspire people towards life giving themes as opposed to the celebration of death that is so prevalent these days. Don't get me wrong, I still do like to do the soldier films and action stuff that blows things up. But even those genres of film can be tweaked in a way that displays truth and love. And that's what I plan to achieve. 

 

QFTD: For the hungry actor out there, what advice would you give when it comes to achieving success in the acting/directing industry?

 

Brandon: Get a camera, read a book on story structure, pull people together and shoot something. It really is that easy. But, if you really want to succeed, you will also go to a class and let someone teach you something that you've admitted to yourself you do not know. There's nothing wrong with "just doing it," but when you let that motto lie to you and tell you that you know everything you need to know, that's when you begin to hit the wall that you will never see. And a lot of times, that's the hardest wall to get around. Bottom line: be teachable.

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To see more of Brandon Fobbs, click below.   http://www.brandonfobbs.com/