Brantley Dunaway has been an active professional in the entertainment industry for the better part of 25 years in the Theatre, Film, and Music industries. 5280 Magazine named Brantley Dunaway as one of the Top 22 People To Watch and has been profiled in Today’s Man and NFocus. Dunaway’s London & Broadway productions have included Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of Bombay Dreams, Gone With the Wind as directed by Trevor Nunn, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks starring the late Uta Hagen and David Hyde Pierce, with Polly Bergen and Mark Hamill. Dunaway was a producer on the film adaptation of Love in the Time of Cholera by Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, starring Javier Bardem and penned by Oscar winning writer Ronald Harwood. In the music industry, Brantley has worked with such artists as Dave Mathews, Dave Grisman, Joan Baez, Third Eye Blind, Ben Harper and many more.
What is Company B Entertainment all about?
Company B Entertainment is a development and acquisition company based in the film hub of Atlanta, Georgia. We focus on the acquisition of film rights primarily for published literary material. Company B Entertainment will work in the content creation process, working with writing teams, independent writers, and agents. Depending on the production, the team works to select locations, actors, performance style, soundtrack, and most elements of the film production. The team handles planning and logistics, including arranging schedules with crew, companies, and local authorities, all of which coincides with planning the timing of the shoot and the handling and dispatching of equipment.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I was born and raised in the Atlanta area, and I grew up in Florida with a love of the arts. I was always involved in some kind of creative activity, whether it was music or theatre, or film. I think that comes from my parents – they were both very creative people, and they encouraged me to pursue my interests. My first real foray into this world was as a performer at Walt Disney World in Orlando. After high school, I went to college and studied Communications, Psychology, and an MBA in Marketing. I knew that I wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry, and it’s surprising how much of each of my interests of study has impacted my job today.
The name of Company B Entertainment came from my Grandfather. Alfred Barnette Brantley, he was in the Navy, a loving father, a true gentleman, with a wicked sense of humor. “Brantley” is a family name that has been endowed to several members of my family. And as an homage to him and his dedication to the US Military…the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
- The ability to listen with a purpose. Focus, focus, focus on listening. Listening well is as powerful as talking well, and the true key to understanding in all relationships. Relationships are extremely important as an entrepreneur and especially in the entertainment industry, so to be an effective entrepreneur I have to be a focused and effective listener.
- Understanding that it’s not about you. In the early days of your career, it is easy to get caught up in your own ego and think that everything is about you. But it’s not. The sooner you can learn to put yourself in perspective and focus on the work rather than your own self-promotion, the better off you will be. This has to do with my “life lesson quote” earlier. Without re-hashing all the details, just remembering that putting in the work and the effort will shine through in the end. It can be easy, in an industry that puts a lot of emphasis on selling and promotion, to forget that humility and teamwork speak volumes.
- Not being afraid to ask for help. No one expects you to know everything, so don’t be afraid to reach out to those who have more experience than you when you need help or advice.
What are your plans for the future, and how do you plan to grow this company?
I hope to grow the company and continue to find new opportunities for writers and producers. I want to be able to help people realize their dreams of working in entertainment, whether it is on the production side or as a creator. There are so many talented people out there with great ideas who simply do not know how to make those ideas come alive. As I grow Company B Entertainment, I hope that I can be an avenue for these people to turn their arts into real careers. I also plan on continuing my education in this field through reading and networking with others – anything that will allow me to get better at what I do! And obviously, the long-term goal is profitability, since without revenue we cannot continue our work.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
One of the top ways that I separate myself from other entertainment companies is by focusing on working with people who have unique stories to tell. Whether it’s in film, television, or theatre, everyone has a story to tell – but not everyone has the opportunity to get those stories out there. We work hard to find projects that we think will resonate with audiences and help bring a greater understanding and empathy for others. This can include films or shows that tackle challenging topics like mental illness or racism, or it can be more light-hearted fare like romantic comedies or comedic adventures. Our goal as an entertainment company is to provide great content that will challenge our audience while entertaining them – and hopefully making them think a little bit about the world around us.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
- Not realizing that it’s more important to be respected than liked. There will be times when you have to make tough decisions that will be unpopular with some people, but if you are respected by your colleagues and peers, then they will come to understand and support your decisions even if they don’t like them initially. As a producer especially, you have to be able to say “no.” No disrespect to directors, but I don’t think any movie ever would be made within budget if the producer wasn’t there to rein things in.
- Not knowing how to pace myself. You need to take care of yourself first. This is especially important for those who are in creative fields. It is easy to get so wrapped up in your work that you neglect your own health and well-being. But if you don’t take care of yourself, then you won’t be able to do your best work. Make sure to take the time to exercise, eat healthy, and get enough rest. I feel like this is a lesson I have had to learn more than once. On more than one occasion, especially early in my career, I hit a wall and my work and sometimes relationships were strained because of it. Thankfully, I was usually able to regain the ground that I lost. But if others can avoid making that mistake, hopefully, they learn from me.
- I had to learn to be patient and listen first. Your career will not happen overnight. It takes time, hard work, and dedication to build a successful career in any field, but it is especially true in the entertainment industry. It is very rare that someone has a meteoric rise, and unfortunately it is often the case that a meteoric rise is succeeded by a quick fall. To my mind, it is much better to put in the work and really learn the craft. That way you can form a foundation to build on for decades to follow.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the most successful marketing process will vary depending on the project and the audience you are trying to reach. However, some general tips that have worked well for me are to focus on creating great content, building a strong team of collaborators, and getting your work in front of as many people as possible.
Creating great content is obviously the most important thing, as no one will want to watch or read something that they don’t enjoy. But even if you have the best film or book in the world, it won’t matter if no one knows about it. That’s why it’s also important to build a strong team of collaborators who can help get your work out there.
And finally, you need to get your work in front of as many people as possible. The more eyeballs you can get on your project, the better. There are a lot of ways to do this, including but not limited to social media, online advertising, and creating a strong press campaign.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced is trying to balance my creative impulses with the demands of running a business. As a creative person, I am always coming up with new ideas and wanting to try out new things. But as a business owner, I have to be mindful of the bottom line and make sure that we are producing work that will actually sell. It can be a tough balance to strike, but it is one that I think is important.
Another big challenge has been managing my time effectively. As someone who wears many hats, it can be easy to get bogged down in the details and lose sight of the big picture. To overcome this, I have had to learn to delegate more and trust my team members to handle certain tasks on their own. This frees me up to focus on the aspects of the business that are most critical, and ultimately allows me to be more productive.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
I am always learning, both in my personal life and in my professional life. I think it is important to never stop learning, as it allows you to grow and adapt to the ever-changing world around you. Right now, I am focused on learning more about the business side of the entertainment industry. As someone who is primarily creative, I have had to wear many different hats over the course of my career. And while I enjoy the creative aspects of what I do, I have come to realize that the business side is just as important. By learning more about the business, I am better able to navigate the industry and make decisions that are in the best interests of my company.
If you started your business again, what things would you do differently?
There are a few things I would do differently if I were to start my business again. First, I would focus on building a stronger team from the outset. As someone who wears many hats, I have come to realize that it is important to have a strong team of people who you can rely on.
Second, I would focus on creating a more sustainable business model. When I first started out, I was so focused on creating great content that I didn’t really think about how we were going to make money. This led to some tough times early on, and if I were to do it again, I would make sure that we had a solid plan for generating revenue from the start.
Finally, I would take more time to learn about the business side of the entertainment industry. As I said before, I think it is important to understand both the creative and business aspects of what you’re doing. And while I have learned a lot over the years, there is always more to learn.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
One productivity tip that I swear by is being organized. At any given moment, I have dozens of different projects going on at once, and it is important to stay organized in order to keep track of everything. This means using a dedicated notebook or calendar for each project so that you can easily see what needs to be accomplished and when it needs to be done.
It also helps to break up large tasks into smaller pieces, as this allows you to focus on one thing at a time instead of feeling overwhelmed all the time.
And finally, I try to give myself plenty of breaks throughout the day—whether that means taking a walk outside or simply stepping away from my desk for a few minutes. Taking regular breaks helps me recharge and re-energize.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
If I only had $1000 to start a new business, I would use that money to invest in marketing and networking. In today’s competitive business environment, it is essential to have a strong online presence and an established network of contacts that can help you reach potential customers and clients. This means investing in things like social media marketing and paid advertising, as well as attending networking events and reaching out to key influencers in your industry.
Additionally, I would spend some time researching the latest trends and technologies in my industry, as this can help me stay ahead of the curve and better meet the needs of my target audience. Overall, these investments in marketing and networking would give me a solid foundation for building my business from the ground up.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
There are a few things that help me stay driven and motivated in my business. First, I am always thinking about ways to improve and grow my company. I am constantly brainstorming new ideas and looking for ways to take my business to the next level.
Second, I am surrounded by a great team of people who are just as passionate about what we’re doing as I am. Seeing their dedication and hard work motivates me to continue pushing forward.
And finally, I am always seeking feedback from my customers and clients. Hearing their positive feedback reminds me why I do what I do, and it drives me to keep striving for excellence.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
If you are just starting out as an entrepreneur, there are a few pieces of valuable advice that I would recommend keeping in mind. First, it is essential to have a clear vision for your business and a well-defined plan for achieving your goals. This means taking the time to research your industry and develop a solid business strategy, one that will help you stand out from the competition and achieve long-term success.
Second, it is important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can support you along the way. Whether it is through networking groups or online communities, having people who can offer guidance and advice can be incredibly beneficial as you work to grow your business.
And finally, always be willing to learn from your mistakes and adapt as needed.
What is your definition of success?
For me, success is all about achieving our goals and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. It is about setting ambitious goals and working relentlessly to achieve them, while also staying true to your values and principles.
Success means pushing yourself to be better every day, constantly growing and evolving as an entrepreneur and a person. And above all else, it means recognizing the impact that you are having on those around you, whether that means helping your customers and clients succeed or inspiring others to pursue their own dreams. So if you are striving for success, remember to keep these things in mind as you work towards your goals.
How can readers get in touch with you?
The best way to contact me is through my website www.brantleydunawayproducer.com
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