Brian Hooks is a prolific actor, writer, and producer just coming off of his latest movie, ADAM + EVE. He’s also the head of the production company, Left of Bang Entertainment, whose incredible work gives at-risk youth the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. We recently caught up with him to discuss his new movie and how he navigates his career amidst the ongoing pandemic.
The Knockturnal: Could you talk a little bit more about Left of Bang Entertainment? What is your mission statement? What kind of projects do you work on?
Brian Hooks: Left Of Bang Entertainment is an entertainment company focused on creating positive social impact through entertainment. We do that by reaching out to at-risk inner-city youth, providing them with the opportunity to be a part of the ever so coveted Hollywood magic. The BANG in our name represents that action moment in a child’s life where they pick up a gun, join a gang, commit a crime… anything that puts them on the wrong side of the law. A lot of these youth are born into situations where they’re forced to choose between bad and worse. We provide them another option to choose from. The main reason that youth join gangs is because they want a sense of family and belonging. This is a natural need that every human must have to survive, and these kids are no different. They will seek out and find this sense of belonging even if it’s with gangs. However, given the chance to choose between shooting a movie and shooting a gun, these kids will choose movies every time. That’s what we provide for them. We will give them a sense of family and allow them to learn skills that push them forward in life. No longer am I interested in making entertainment that doesn’t somehow positively affect the world in some way. We are set to produce a number of independent projects, film, and television.
The Knockturnal: You’ve been involved with a lot of comedy films throughout your career. How do you get into the mindset of acting with such an energetic style of humor?
Brian Hooks: I’d like to say I study at Juilliard with some of the finest comedic professors… but the truth is I was born a natural fool. Honestly, I really dive into my characters. I commit to the energy level required for the role, and I make that a part of the character’s on-screen personality. The goal with great comedy is not to force the funny, but allow the comedic beats to come naturally through the scenes, dialogue, and character. Energetic humor has to be approached with the same level of respect as you would if you were playing a historic biographical role.
The Knockturnal: How are you able to get the best performances from your actors?
Brian Hooks: Making your actors comfortable is the most important thing in getting great performances. If actors aren’t comfortable, if there is no trust, then the performances will suffer. I think the best way to achieve that comfort and trust is by spending time rehearsing, listening to their thoughts and ideas, and making yourself accessible throughout the process. Artists are sensitive, so you have to be sensitive towards their sensitivity.
The Knockturnal: Can you give me some information about your newest movie, ADAM & EVE? What can we expect when it comes to theaters?
Brian Hooks: ADAM + EVE is a different animal but the same beast… shout out to the late Kobe Bryant, but it honestly is just that. It’s very different from what I normally do, but it comes from the same creative source and inspiration. The film is a straight drama. It’s a love story about two people who fall in love, but their past skeletons won’t allow them to move forward and live happily ever after. It’s a very tough and emotional love story, similar to how love often is in real life. I wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the film alongside newcomer Cherish Holland, Mihara India, Kareem Grimes, Teck Holmes, and Duane Finley to name a few. We are doing a festival run, domestic and international, then we will release the film sometime next year through a familiar distributor who we can’t yet name at this moment.
The Knockturnal: Your email mentioned that your production company works with at-risk youth by giving them opportunities in the film industry. Could you elaborate a little bit on what kind of opportunities you are able to give them?
Brian Hooks: We are currently providing mentorship for youth through weekly zoom calls focused on their stability and health. We keep them engaged and updated with the current film ADAM + EVE virtually. Once things open back up from the pandemic we will allow them to work hands-on with the films we produce. We’ll teach them skills that allow them to ultimately provide for themselves and their family. An idle mind is the devil’s playground, so our goal is to keep these kids engaged and busy as much as we can. In between major film productions, we will allow them to produce their own smaller projects. We will also provide the support and assistance they need in achieving their personal goals.
The Knockturnal: Continuing on the previous questions, how has your approach changed during the pandemic?
Brian Hooks: The pandemic has basically turned the film industry upside down. That said, adjustments are being made and productions are slowly, but surely beginning to move forward. I’m very fortunate to have an independent background, so my starting back up with production wasn’t contingent upon a studio giving me the green light to move forward. Once things began to ease up we were able to jump back into production. The biggest changes were a very scaled-down crew and a longer shooting schedule. We moved at a pace that allowed us to be safe, with a smaller crew that allowed us to be socially distant at different locations. We did rapid-tests for COVID-19, and the crew stayed quarantined during the shoot. It was a lot at times, but for now, this is the new normal and we had to push forward.
The Knockturnal: You have a lot of experience working with a small budget for your movies. How do you use your budgets to your advantage?
Brian Hooks: Well, I once considered it a burden. However, now it’s the very thing that has allowed me to thrive as the industry has shifted drastically over the past few years. When I was making films with micro-budgets, I was forced to wear multiple hats and therefore forced to learn the details of every aspect of filmmaking. It was a blessing in disguise because we are now living in a very independent time, and I now have the knowledge and skills to make films from start to finish pretty much by myself. I’m able to maximize budgets and get the most bang for a buck. ADAM + EVE is a prime example of years of experience working with modest budgets being displayed through a great piece of work.
The Knockturnal: How do you think the film industry will change going forward?
Brian Hooks: I think it will change the same way the world changes. The industry will be more safe moving forward. I think Covid tests will become the norm. And the biggest change I believe is that people will become more creative. Artists were forced to adjust and stretch their minds as a result of the pandemic, and I think this will push us all forward creatively with the work we produce.
The Knockturnal: How has the pandemic affected your current productions?
Brian Hooks: The pandemic initially put everything on pause. Then, it began to set in that this may be the new norm, and I have to figure out a way to push forward. A scaled-down crew, longer shooting schedule, boost in budget cost due to COVID-19 safety procedures, and we were back on track. The urgency to get back moving for me was ignited by the urgency to keep my Left Of Bang youth engaged getting them on set.
The Knockturnal: Do you have any future projects in the works?
Brian Hooks: I’m blessed to have a number of things in the works. We’re in post-production on ADAM + EVE. We are set to start pre-production on our next film through Left Of Bang Entertainment. Bentley Evans and myself have created a sitcom together that I star in. We are in the process of choosing a home for the show and will start production as soon as January. I’m also set to shoot an ensemble romantic comedy I wrote and will be directing and producing alongside Flavor Unit Films. I will also be shooting my standup comedy special in 2021. However, the thing I’m most excited about is the online virtual filmmaking 101 class for my Left of Bang Entertainment youth. I’m dedicated to being sure that every project I take on in the future somehow pushes the world forward through these youth.
