Jonathan Bregel

1) How did you get into directing?
I believe that I got into directing as a result of my passion for life and for people.

2) What is your most recent project?
I’ve been really excited learning how to draw so I’d have to say that my most recent project would be the drawing I did in my notebook last night. After I drew this “thing” (I don’t even know what ‘it’ is), I wrote a concept for a short film about “freeing yourself from the void of comparison”- so I guess that is my most recent project?

I pretty much view life as an ongoing project so this question is actually quite difficult for me to answer.

3) What is the best part of being a director?
The ability to express your true and heartfelt beliefs in collaboration with those you love is something that I will be eternally grateful for.

4) What is the worst part of being a director?
I have a very hard time with the word “worst.” My parents raised me to believe that there is something beautiful to come out of every case scenario in life so I’ve always instinctually translated the word “worst” to “difficult”- in that case, I’d say the most “difficult” part of being a director is managing sleep. It’s all good though- I’m young now and I truly don’t deserve to complain about anything. People are suffering all around the world and I’m here writing on my laptop in the comfort of my living room. Life rules.

5) What is your current career focus: commercials & branded content, TV, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre—comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
My most current career focus is learning how to love everyone and everything. Anything that comes from the result of love is something that I am interested in. Whether it’s a comedy film, a documentary, a commercial, animated short- anything. I really just want to be in any part of the industry where love is present.

6) Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates most with you?
I have had way to many mentors to list out in 125 words so I’m just gonna keep it core here. My mom and dad have proven to me through their marriage that love is real. I have seen their love for one another, their friends, the homeless, the sick, and their own families get them through so much and it’s truly inspiring for me to have them as role models. As a result, all I know for certain is that LOVE WORKS WONDERS. It’s all I know to be.

7) Who is your favorite director and why?
At the present moment, my friend Eliot Rausch is my favorite director. Through conversations with him, it’s clear to me that his films come from his heart and with the utmost integrity possible given each circumstance- those things are very important to me as I am one who strives to understand the true nature behind someone’s “doings.” It’s just to easy to make something nowadays…a great director like Eliot can justify his reasons for birthing a piece of content in this over-saturated market. I respect that.

8) What is your favorite movie? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
My favorite movie is Harold Clurman: A Life of Theater. I saw this documentary just two weeks ago and I can’t stop watching it.

As far as commercial/branded content; hands down, it’s the 1997 Apple ad “Here’s to the crazy ones.” It’s the only ad that I’ve ever teared up watching.

9) Tell use about your background (i.e. Where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I grew up in Towson, Maryland.

Now I live in Brooklyn, NY.

Everything in my past has been amazing- can’t say that I regret a thing.

All I know is what I know now and that is this; life rules.

Peace & Love.

Contact

tj@wearevariable.com
http://wearevariable.com