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The film SEAWEED SNACKS (2026), which screened at Slamdance this year, was so moving for me as a father that I wanted to talk with the person that directed it -- Sylvia Ray, a great episode, you can find it linked in the show notes -- and my guest today, the writer, Brandyn Johnson.

What does it feel like when someone else directs your words? Why the focus on fatherhood? What is it like mentoring young up and coming filmmakers at Ghetto Film School? Is a USC grad education worth it? We get into all this and more with Brandyn, a brilliant filmmaker and writer currently based in Los Angeles.

Finally, we talk about suicide in this episode. If you're struggling, there are resources, starting with 988 if you need someone to talk with about your journey. Kindness truly is currency, as Brandyn says on the show; we want you sitting next to us at the birthday party.

n this episode, Brandyn and I talk about:

• why the topic of fatherhood is so important to him;
• how much he believes in "write what you know";
• his start in filmmaking and the incredible work he does for Ghetto Film School;
• whether teenagers are benefiting from a filmmaking perspective from constant access to video-making devices;
• his recommendations on an MFA from USC;
• the experience of watching someone else direct your work as he did in SEAWEED SNACKS;
• the honesty he tried to imbue in the film;
• as a writer, what kind of story would he not be comfortable giving away?
• is it an ego thing connected with just being "writer/director"?
• the humility associated with giving up your story as a writer in order to get it made;
• his personal new film, COPARENTING STOREY;
• what's next for him and why he's so passionate about storytelling.

Memorable Quotes:

On fatherhood: "Just generally speaking, it's right in front of my face."

" Hats off to filmmakers who can write things and build worlds that might not necessarily directly reflect where they come from."

"Access in that way is really great for the folks who are aware of that access."

On Ghetto Film School's art: "as long as they are making things that prioritize story."

" I've been doing this work for almost 20 years, right? So...the reason why I keep doing it is because...it's definitely great to see young people find power."

" As a storyteller, our best stories come from our experiences."

"It's hard to be creative when you have broke goggles on."

" I pitched projects that I knew I would be okay giving away."

" If there's one thing that USC is really great at is, it helps you, it forces you to be a great collaborator."

" And I think that's also what SEAWEED SNACKS was about. I just want it to be honest."

"The soul is in my words."

On COPARENTING STOREY: "It's all built around, like the ability that we have to design the kind of life that we want to see."

"If I'm going to be here, I'm going to make a net positive impact."

Links:

Follow Brandyn On Instagram

Follow Ghetto Film School

COPARENTING STOREY On Film Independent

Watch Sylvia Ray, director of SEAWEED SNACKS