Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Keller.
Brian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a visual artist working in a variety of mediums that include video, photography, illustration, murals and more. I’ve spent the past 15 years studying and working in arts and entertainment. After studying illustration and graphic design at Columbia College, I switched my attention to film and video with a concentration in cinematography.
After college, I worked in LA as a producer for G4TV, a lifestyle network with a focus on video games, technology, and pop culture. At G4 I was producing, writing and directing everything from comedy and entertainment segments to live in studio celebrity interviews. I was also on the founding team of G4’s flagship show, Attack of the Show, where I covered comic books, art, music, toy culture and pretty much any weird thing they allowed me to put on the air.
After moving back to Chicago I was freelancing as a producer for a number of companies before I started my own production company Brain Killer. This was my creative outlet directing music videos, branded content, video art installations, and as a way to promote myself, I started doing art again. I started doing wheatpaste all over the city and later started painting murals. The art side took on a life of its own and I’ve painted, created art and participated in art shows for a wide variety of clients and for myself here in Chicago, Miami, New York, Austin, LA and Kansas City.
Under the BRAIN KILLER name, I’ve produced, directed and created art for a number of companies including, DMK restaurant group, Nonnina, Dark Matter Coffee, Lyft, Threadless, Red Bull, Goose Island, Baderbrau Brewing Company, The Onion, Havas and more. My most recent venture is taking a staff position as a producer with M1 Interactive. M1 creates sensory experiences by combining video, light, sound, and motion to enhance social interaction and branded media.
I’m pretty happy with my path and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. The industry is always changing and as someone who likes to tackle different types of projects I find myself having to learn new skills to stay sharp in the game.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Brain Killer – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m known for so many things it’s hard to really put it into one area. Sometimes I’m hired as an artist to create murals, sometimes I’m hired to produce and project manage and sometimes I’m brought on to direct the creative of a project. I think mostly I’m known for directing commercials/video content and mural work. I think what sets me apart is my ability to adapt and learn what I need to complete a project. I think I’m most proud of my work ethic over the years. No matter how hard it gets I’ve never given up, I just kind of switch gears and focus on a different area of my work, so things never get too stale and I’m always learning.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is bittersweet, on one hand, there is so much to offer and it’s always growing as a hub for creativity. On the other hand, Chicago is still firmly planted in its Midwestern roots and values which isn’t always the most conducive to being creative, let alone making a living in the creative industry. As big as Chicago is, it’s almost like a small town where everyone knows each other and you’re sometimes competing for work with people you’ve known for years or friends and that can be tricky to navigate. That said, Chicago is home, I grew up in the city and I have worked in so many other places in the country and some outside of the U.S I can still say there is still no place I’d rather be, live or work.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 310-663-2140
- Email: brianbkeller@gmail.com
- Instagram: @brainkiller
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambrainkiller/
- Twitter: @iambrainkiller
- Other: https://creativemornings.com/talks/brain-killer/1
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