Brendan Walsh: Freelance Videographer, Cornerbrook Studios

2011 Graduate, Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Brendan Walsh, who in 2011 earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, is now working as a freelance videographer for Cornerbrook Studios. It’s a job that allows him to direct, shoot, edit, and sound design commercial spots—but it also means long hours. “I travel to most shoots, sometimes for a few days, and put in LOTS of production hours,” he states.

While still in school, Brendan began working on a documentary series about his personal weight loss journey.  The piece was screened as his senior thesis, and he is continuing the documentary now that he’s in Philadelphia. “The best part for me is submitting a spot or film to a client or peer, and secretly watching it while they are,” he asserts, adding that when he watches his own work, he tries to critique it with fresh eyes. “(Then) I can defend my creative decisions, or increase that sense of relief when they say ‘Don't change anything.’"

Brendan believes that his education at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh gave him the foundation he needed to make an impact in his current position. “Getting the opportunity to fail with minimal consequence might be the only reason that I continue to pursue my dreams. Failure under a teacher’s guidance is a gift; failure on a client based job could have massive, lasting repercussions.” Looking to the future, Brendan believes that natural talents will begin to stand out in a digital world. “The next big trend I see is the age of the writer. Not everyone is a storyteller. If I had money for a film today, I would put most of it into a good scriptwriter, and good actors. Content is king.”