Meet Brett Hoffman | Filmmaker & Photographer

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

Hi Brett, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting Nautilus Studios was a natural progression. I started producing videos in college while studying Film Studies at Colorado State University. It started with passion projects, short form documentaries and experimental films. Upon graduating I utilized my found skills in a professional atmosphere of freelancing. I starting making professional advertisements, bio-pics, and starting specializing in underwater cinematography and documentary work. Eventually I made a name for my self and my business “Nautilus Studios”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart from other artist’s is that I focus and create work in two distinct disciplines; Film and Photography. Yes, these disciplines are alike, using cameras to create imagery, but what I consider to be unique is the subject matter that I focus on in each discipline. When it comes to film, it is all about story telling and depending on the subject matter, my films can look vastly different from one another. Whereas my photography is very much focused on wildlife documentation. For the longest time I would not admit to myself or anyone else for that matter that I was a professional photographer. I always identified professionally as a filmmaker. It wasn’t until recently that I took my photography more seriously as a career than a hobby. I now find a happy medium in my work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
San Diego is one of the most chameleon cities in the world. I always tell friends that have never visited SD that you can really experience any taste, color or vibe you like. I love all the diversity the city to has to offer but my all time favorite spot has to be La Jolla. I’m biased since I grew up here, but LJ really feels like it’s own ecosystem, and that can be felt throughout the community.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to accredit my Mother, Stephanie Hoffman for the support, love and encouragement that brought me to the place where I am at now. She is an incredibly passionate person that pours 100% into everything she does. She’s a business owner herself (La Jolla Shores Physical Therapy) and novelist. We are even co-producing a documentary right now called “Saltwaterx” which is coming out this year. There is something about being raised by a big boss mom that instilled confidence and passion in me to take on the world in my own way.

Website: https://www.nautilus-studio.com/about

Instagram: @bhoff_films

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-hoffman-8b3b74135/