Ep 84: From the Film Riot film "Tell" actor, writer, and producer Todd Bruno!
SO-FLO ROOTS
Todd was born in Hollywood, Florida and, although he excelled in sports, the craft of acting came most naturally to him. When he wasn't playing baseball, football or studying martial arts, he and his friends would re-enact scenes from their favorite movies (Jaws and Willy Wonka were frequent choices). In his senior year of high school, Todd was drafted from the football team into the Theater program, starring in the school play and winning district improv competitions.
He entered Vanderbilt University on the pre-law track, but soon became more interested in the school's theater program, which included one of the best-equipped true black box theaters in the country. He performed in 13 plays at Vandy, and graduated with a hunger to learn more about acting.
SEEKING CHOPS
A year after graduating college, Todd headed to New York to attend The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater. The Playhouse had been rated the #1 Acting Program in the U.S. by the Cambridge University Press, and Sanford Meisner's program had the reputation of being one of the toughest in the country. Only 75 students were accepted into the program; and of those, just 24 were invited back to complete the second year. Todd figured, if he could make it there, he could make it anywhere... but did he have the chops? The answer came quickly. At the end of his first year at the Playhouse, Todd was offered a role in the Second-Year Production - the only first-year student to be given such an honor. He was invited back to complete the second year, and he's proud to wear badge of a Neighborhood Playhouse Graduate!
CHANGE OF LOCATION
After graduating from the Playhouse, Todd moved to Los Angeles with some friends from school, and began trying to navigate the entertainment industry. Just as he was beginning to see some success in L.A., Todd and his family experienced a terrible loss: his brother was killed in a car accident, and Todd moved back to Florida to be with his family. Determined to make the best of his new situation, he explored the film industry in Florida and quickly hooked up with Ryan Connolly, founder of Triune Films and creator of the Film Riot web series. Together, they have made several films and sketches, and their relationship continues to grow.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Todd has become one of the most sought-after actors and producers in the low-budget indie film industry. He has starred in and produced film projects across the country in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New Jersey, Tennessee and California. His films can now be seen on Amazon, Netflix, OnDemand, Redbox and in 13 countries around the world.
TELL (A Short Film by Ryan Connolly)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGgRH7-Qs9g
Todd Bruno Website: http://www.toddbruno.com/about#bio-1
If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]
Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: https://www.kweli.tv/programs/the-people-of-brixton
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