Storytelling production company 1stAveMachine has signed director Ron Brodie. This marks not only his first career directorial representation but also a reunion for him with the studio.
As 1stAveMachine’s former head of creative development from 2010-2012, Brodie was already intimately familiar with its production process. He decided to return to his creative home to take advantage of the many unique and innovative resources available to 1stAveMachine’s directorial roster, opening up new avenues for him to tell stories that are personal to him.
Drawing inspiration from many different sources, Brodie’s body of work blurs the lines between identity and ability, carving space to explore his memories and true events of life in his own creative vision. He believes that telling stories that are often overlooked by mainstream media is an obligation and his work seeks to divulge the reasons people should care about diverse storytelling. “My approach is to identify where truth and relatability exist within a story and amplify it to the point where the message is personal or shared by the audience on a visceral level,” Brodie explained. “I love pairing these sentiments with a poetic approach to cinematography and editorial decisions that drive the story forward. My goal is to make films that leave lasting impressions longer than their designated runtimes.”
Brodie has directed work for brands like MTV, Airwalk, Facebook, Google, Aflac, and more, as well as the opening segment of ABC’s Ball Boys, and the award-winning music video for Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry.” His most personal work, however, pays homage to the many different aspects of his bicultural heritage. His short film Jumpman, dedicated to his late friend Alex Ghassan, is an “ode to basketball and ‘90s-era New York but also a celebration of those who have never given up on their goals,” he stated. The short was an official selection for both the Bowery Film Festival and Picture Farm Film Fest.
He has also recently directed and produced a travel docu-series with his brother Don Brodie, entitled Driver Radio: Jamaica, that examines modern culture through a first-generation lens. The docu-series, filmed and produced entirely by a team of Brodie’s colleagues from Howard University, was shot on location in various parts of Jamaica.
Now that he is rejoining the 1stAveMachine family, Brodie hopes to merge the world of high-production value commercial shoots with personal, heartfelt stories. Brodie acknowledged, “I love identifying worlds where a brand’s messaging and ethos meets audience interest, creating lasting and timeless impact. My background as an editor has provided me with a resourceful mindset and the ability to incorporate big ideas into a story that bridge communities and cultures with brand quality as a catalyst.”
Regarding Brodie’s signing, 1stAveMachine partner Sam Penfield states, “Ron joins us in the same way we have built the roster, working together first and signing second to ensure we maintain our culture of hard-working, humble, and collaborative talent. Ron’s commitment to raising the bar and bringing forward fresh stories is something we have always admired. He is a dear, dear friend of ours, but, equally important, he is a talented and tenacious filmmaker who is greatly admired by all who work with him.”
