Meet Brent Hyden

Thanks for sharing your story with us Brent. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
Filmmaking organically came into my life through skateboarding when I was 12 years old. Skateboarding’s unique culture is what inspired me to pick up a camera and start capturing everyday life. By the time I was 17, it was time to get a job in order to start funding my projects. I got hired at Goat Hill Golf Course in Oceanside, CA, where I met an important person named Tyler “T Sweat” Dingvell. T Sweat worked at the golf course with me and also managed Asylum Skateshop. He recognized my drive for filming and hired me to go out with the team and make a full-length video which we named “Green Eggs and Hammers.” The film premiered at Transworld Skatepark, and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer sponsored the event. It was that night I realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I immediately got started on a new series of films called “Skate Juice,” and I am currently working as a producer on an upcoming skateboard documentary.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There has been a lot of ups and downs during the process. An important life lesson I have learned is to have faith in the process and that it’s important to invest in yourself. I believe that if you do what you love, and you remain persistent with your vision, success will follow.

Independent Filmmaker – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I never started filming because it sounded like a fun career. I do this because I love it, and it’s what keeps me up at night. I am thankful for everyone that has helped me out on the way and grateful to have worked with so many talented people.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Making a positive impact through my films would have to be my definition of success. There is a whiteboard on my wall where I write out all of my thoughts and ideas and draw images of anything that inspires me.

“We don’t make movies to make money; we make money to make more movies.” — Walt Disney