I interviewed Brett Tocco...

Yo! So I know that you are a film major…...

What influences surrounded you when you decided to focus on film?
My high school had a good video program. i learned alot there and was
hooked. My older brother, Darryl, also got me into it at a young age.

Did you have any film experience before you came to Mason Gross?

like I said I’ve been working with digital video since 2005. Prior to that
i experimanted with tape to tape editing with my older brother starting
when i was 8 or so.

Are there any other artists in your family?
My older brother is a working videographer with some heavy titles under
his belt. His main focus is bmx video montage, almost like a highlight
real of all hte best moves for a rider over any given period of time.

What is your favorite thing about making films and why?
I don’t have a specific focus in story telling. I prefer to edit, I like
to make something out of what other people have started kind of like
appropriation.

Are there specific materials that you consistently use or rely on?
The Sony Vx-2000/2100, the Panasonic DVX 100ap the century optics .3x wide
angle conversion lens. Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion 3, After
Effect, Adobe Photo Shop there’s some others in there too but they come
and go.

What is your #1 piece of advice for anyone interested in pursuing the art
of film?
Everyone has a story to tell. Learn some proper editing ans shooting
techniques, (180 rule and continuity are big ones), try a variety of
lenses, it makes you work stand out.

Where do you make your films?
Where ever I can. I shot on location
mostly, especially for bmx. I think sets make a video look phony. As far
as editing i do a lot at my kitchen table I’m actually working on a studio
proposal tonight as well i had one two years ago and it was the best thing
ever to have a place i could work all night. Like anything else once you
get started you don;t want to stop.

Is there a specific style of shooting/directing that you have or seem to
be developing? ( I know absolutely nothing about film, so please feel free
to fill in gaps in my weird questions)
I’ve been working with motion graphics alot over the past few years, it
makes you projects pop. I’m also slowly getting into 3d rendering for
titles. I like this kind of work because it build off of the foundations
of graphic design I like to fin inspiration in advertisements form the
70’s. They had the best colour schemes then everything was so raw and
flat, but at the same times the colours they used were vivid and textured.
As far as shooting I’m looking to mix the more raw, guerilla style of bmx
and skate shooting and classic studio doc/interview style.

How would you describe your films to someone who has never seen any of them?

My work varries heavily from dramatic, violent narratives to clean cut
graphics.
I like to mix styles, this way it never gets boring.

After you finish your degree, where would you ideally like to go with your
skills and
ideas?
I’d like to do freelance motion graphics for a while. Music videos, ads
that kind of stuff out of school. This appeals to me because it’s not the
stock 9 to 5 and I’ll be able to push my narriative and bmx work with out
the hinderances and obligations of the “real world.” When all is said and
done I’d like to do graphics or technical directing for a few years at a
news studio, it’s fast paced and logical to do while looking to raise a
family and hold down a home and all that kind of American dream, stuff.
after that I hope to go back to the town i grew up in and take the
position as the high school video teacher. The current teacher loves the
job he has a lot of free reign gets to buy cool new toys, (like a mobile
edit suit), while teaching kids how to work in video and encourage young
artist to express themselves, pretty much the dream job.

Do you have any future plans?
Travel and expand my knowledge of people it’s good to be well rounded I’d
prefer to make work that isn’t ignorant to the way the rest of the world
thinks, I’m not on that level yet.

Name a few favorites and why if you have any specific reason.
Movies, directors, other artists (even painters, photographers, etc.)
Movies i could go on for days about I’m a big fan of Tarantino, he has
that I really don’t care attitude and his films are usually dialed, plus
he gets RZA from Wu Tang to do some of his sound tracks, RZA is an out
right genius and he respects Tarantino, enough said.
I’m also a big fan of Ryan Navazio, he’s a bigger name in the bmx world as
far as videos go. You can pop in a Navazio piece and know that it’s his
project within the first 30 seconds. His editing is clean and his skill
behind the camera is untouchable. He also holds it down with the Sony
vx1000, in a world full of people who get hd cams and think that makes
them good it’s hard to find someone with actual skill. 
As far as
artist go Egglestien is amazing, I like that he shoots primarily natural
lighting, that’s big in bmx, as we often don’t have time to set up lights
or even have the time to get a shot before the police or security guards
shut us down. I also am inspired big time by my friend Jon Stars he’s a
studio photographer for the most part but he’s self taught and has a knack
for taking bmx photos as well. He’s the opposite of Egglestien and often
shoots with 6 or more lights. any time i shoot a scen that i can light
he’s always right there with ideas.