Get to know: Bryan Levin

Where did you grow up? - A small fishing village called Centerville, OH

Did you do any sports/activities growing up? - I played pretty much every sport, but I think soccer and basketball were by far the most, then maybe ultimate frisbee. I also fished. A lot. And if it counts as an activity, as soon as I figured out how to use my dad's straight-to-vhs camcorder I was constantly making pointless videos.

Nickname? - Levinski. It is a version of my family's original last name. When people found out about it in middle school it just took off. What I didn't know at the time was the real spelling is "Levinsky."

Favorite food? - My Grandma's gnocchi by far, but I could eat pizza every day of the week.

Favorite genre of music or band? - I listen to a whole range of stuff. A lot of blues driven rock and anything where people are legitimately playing instruments. My top 4 bands in no particular order are AC/DC, Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, and Joe Bonamassa. Try to figure that out. And while I'm editing I usually listen to film scores.

Favorite podcast? - ACES Radio. It's probably terrible to anyone who doesn't know the people making it, but I laugh hysterically for 2-3 hours every week. It's 20% Columbus Crew and US soccer, and 80% crude humor.

What is your favorite thing about the video production industry?

Probably the chance to get an inside look or inside information from a lot of different people and jobs. Pretty much every shoot I get to learn about someone's profession and occasionally can add it to my skill set. And getting to interview many different athletes has come with countless behind the scenes stories that very few other people know.

If you weren't working in video production, what would your job be?

I would probably be working in one of the skilled trades; Carpentry, masonry, something where I get to use my hands to create. As glad as I am that I went the college route, I find it very saddening that skilled trades and STEM jobs have taken a backseat in our society.

What/where is your favorite place to visit/vacation?

Really anytime I am outdoors works for me. Add in friends and (some) family and you've got perfection in my eyes. Oh and San Diego is pretty fun.

Where could people find you in your free time around Dayton?

I'm not sure if there is any one place that I frequent that often. I play soccer anytime/anywhere I get a chance and I always try to take advantage of the opportunity to go hiking or fishing. My wife and I do like to try out new restaurants as well.

Do you have any hobbies?

I play a lot of soccer and I love to go fishing, but I think my truest hobby right now is wood working and building furniture. I really enjoy locking myself in the garage for a few hours at night and seeing what I can come up with. The satisfaction of looking at a pile of wood one day and then a fully finished and stained piece of furniture a few days later is amazing.

If you could only watch 5 movies/tv shows, what would they be?

(In no particular order)

-Saving Private Ryan

-Braveheart

-The Dark Knight

-Superbad

-Everybody Loves Raymond

When was the hardest you ever laughed?

I can tell you for sure that one of the times I laughed the hardest was watching “Men In Black” with my cousin when it first came out on DVD (or was it VHS?!?). We got into one of those slap happy moods for some reason, and when the scene came up where Edgar (the giant roach in human skin) was trying to act natural while sitting in a truck, we both absolutely lost it. It is such an obscure instance but it just hit us in the perfect way. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pass out.

What inspires you when working on a new project?

I like to get away from the project I'm working on for a few minutes and just get out of my head for a bit. In many instances I come up with the direction or technique I want to use while watching a documentary or juggling a soccer ball. Something I've learned during my still early career is that you can't force creativity. I just try to surround myself with new and always evolving things and let the ideas flow naturally. I also have learned that I should take a chance on something out of the box every once in a while. There is nothing worse than getting stuck in mediocrity when working in the creative industry.

What is your favorite tool when editing?

As weird as it sounds probably the zoom in/zoom out keys (+ and -). I am a pretty fast editor and so when I get in a groove I am constantly zooming and moving around in the timeline. I would be willing to bet I could give someone some harsh vertigo if they watch me edit.