Interviewing Ex: Warner Brothers Budget Estimator, Brian Raider
Brian Raider is a widely decorated film producer with quite the repertoire. He has worked with top networks such as HBO, TNT, TBS, Warner Bros and Tru tv to name a few. Brian is most proficient as a line producer and budget executive. He is undoubtedly one of the best line producers worldwide. In addition to his mercurial résumé, Brian is also the founder of the LA based production companies Brian Raider Media and cofounder of Pictures Up Entertainment. The Hype Magazine’s Life & Style correspondent, Charles Myambo (CM) had an interview with Brian Raider (BR). Below are some excerpts from the interview.
Production Expert & Budget Estimator – “Brian Raider”
CM: How does a seasoned “executive” transition into becoming an award winning film producer?
BR: Every job and position was because of my unique ability to network better than anyone else. I asked people for coffee, a meeting on sets and used LinkedIn to network often.
CM: How instrumental were your prior positions as an executive in enabling you to become a “line producer” and more specifically, a “budget estimator”?
BR: It took me years working in all production positions and climbing up the ladder: as a production assistant, then coordinator, then production manager, then line producer over 15 + years.
CM: What have been some of your favorite organizations to work with in the film industry and why?
BR: Warner Brothers as a budget estimator where I worked on the biggest iconic scripted television shows. Besides that, I generally enjoyed working for most if not all of the other top production companies that hired me.
CM: It comes as no surprise that a mercurial talent like you has worked with the iconic Warner Bros. With this in mind, what would you highlight as your biggest project to date?
BR: I worked on the team who did budgets for Game of Thrones and the new JJ Abrams series Dune. Those are great feats and I will never take any of them for granted. Game of Thrones is the most watched television series of all time. Having played an intricate role in a TV series of such magnitude is extremely humbling.
CM: Brian, you are so outspoken against self pity and complacency. Why are you so passionate when it comes to urging people not to feel sorry for themselves?
BR: When you operate in a place of abundance and try to help others it comes back to you 10 fold. I only want everyone to win. When they win I win! Self pity is extremely detrimental because it makes people feel incapable of altering or improving their current circumstances.
CM: Tell us a bit about your brainchild “Brian Raider Media”. How did you establish your own enterprise and what challenges if any were associated with that?
BR: 10+ years ago I saw a niche in the market, that as a producer if I had my own company I could get paid for my services through that entity. I also am co-owner of Pictures Up Entertainment with my producing partner Louis Tocchet where we sell unscripted, digital and scripted television.
CM: You are undoubtedly one of the world’s foremost line producers. What advice would you give to aspiring creatives who want to one day reach the top echelons of an entertainment industry like you did?
BR: Authenticity is always key and it doesn’t hurt if you have a good work ethic. If I had to summarize, I’d say;
- Stick to what you’re good at.
- Network with everyone you never know where your next project will come in.
- Be nice to everyone you meet.
- Help others around you.
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About the Author
Charles Myambo (@BigChaz14 on Twitter) is a columnist and correspondent for industry leader, The Hype Magazine. He is also well known for being a multiple genre #1 Amazon best selling author. In addition to that, Charles is a credentialed journalist as seen in Muck Rack & Press Reader and he is also a highly touted celebrity news correspondent. Moreover, Charles is an international celebrity host and interviewer who has been covered by some of the world's biggest publications. At present, his interviews have been covered by credible journalistic outlets such as Medium, Flipboard, Press Reader, Muck Rack and many others. He is also a columnist for huge African newspapers such as NewsDay, Daily News, iHarare, ZiFM Stereo (radio station), H-Metro, The Financial Gazette as well as several other European and American publications. (@charlesmyambo on Instagram)
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