Meet Brooke Butterworth | Actor/filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brooke Butterworth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooke, what is the most important factor behind your success?
When it comes to success, it is always measured on a different scale by everyone. To some success means a certain dollar amount. When success should really be about the amount of impact we can make in the world for better. When I started filmmaking and acting, it at first seemed vain. The deeper into the craft that I got, I started to ask myself, “how does my craft help other people”. That became the question that fueled my desire to make certain films on social issues and also how I acted on set. If I am helping others then I am living a good life by providing a service to others. I couldn’t stop there however. When we look at the most successful companies, the best of the best provided tremendous service in an area of great need. My constant thought as a filmmaker and an actor is how I can fill the need of either a story the world needs to hear or how I can give the script what it needs. Many people think acting is vain. Even directing can be vain because ideas seem to be so personal. However, when the motivation behind the filmmaking is to connect to the human spirit, that is when hundreds of people are connected at once while watching that film. If the story speaks to the truth of the human experience, then we are all impacted for good by reflecting on our actions outside of the imaginary world. Films can act as mirrors to our very souls. Films and stories can take two people from opposite corners of the human experience and put them in the same place. Connecting with another actor is an exhilarating feeling. To feel that we are all connected in this world and to feel that we are generating a story that they can connect with and reflect on is perhaps the most powerful force of a life well lived.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love to tell stories that inspire or bring hope to the world. I also love action films. I love combining the two. Right now I am working on a film that has been in the works for several years. I wrote this film based on true stories of women who escaped human trafficking. While it sheds light on this travesty with truth, I’ve tried to write it in such a way that is sensitive to the subject matter. It is important that as storytellers we don’t glorify the pain, rather, we bring the focus to the people which brings empathy to the hearts of the audience. I hope to go into production in 2022! Other than that I’ve fallen in love with voice acting and have participated in several animations hopefully hitting an awesome channel soon but I can’t say anything more about it at the moment. I’m very excited!

There is a film I can talk about now since its premiering in film festivals this year. It is a short film called “Last Call” – A couple in a marriage on the brink of ending have a friend of the wife over for dinner. The dinner will reveal secrets that will determine their fates. I play the wife in this little gem. I’m so grateful for the team that made it. It was really strange filming during the height of Covid but they were very professional. It was a rare film team that gave me room to work and also be myself. We had a blast. Be on the lookout for “Last Call”.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Piedmont park! Its got all the vibes of central park. I love exploring new spots. The belt line is a great place to rent an electric scooter or bike. From there you can hit the city. Next on my list is Pharr Rd!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My father always taught me to respect others and how to be strong without being forceful or intimidating. He was the one who took me to my first audition and handed me my first camera. Without him, I never would have gone to film school or have been able to join any organization where I met my encouraging friends in the arts. He was an athlete and song writer. He worked hard for our family and his faith is what remained. He always wanted to be a professional in music. I lost him suddenly in January but he has impacted thousands of lives during his short life. Although he didn’t work full-time in music later in life, he set us up in such a selfless way that other men who knew him are following his example for their families. He was an encourager to everyone. I only hope to live that successfully.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5848633/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Instagram: brookebutter

Image Credits
Tyler horn on set of Jettisoned (set photo spaceship)