We had the pleasure of chatting with actress and comedian Brandi Aguilar all about her work! Be sure to check it out to learn more about this fun and exciting creative!
1.What initially inspired you to become a creator, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your creative journey?
I think what really really inspired me to be a creator was way back in the prime YouTube days in like 2007, when content creation was a very new, unheard of thing. People were producing their own tv series, or producing their own comedy skits and I was blown away at all the talent out there. It had never been done at that time and just 2 years prior it was absolutely unheard of to be able to just produce your own tv series and post it online and instantly have it shown to audiences around the world. It was new and exciting. There was one actress in particular named Stevie Ryan who would post her comedy skits and short films on YouTube and I instantly became a huge fan of hers. Her and I had the same sense of humor and style I feel fashion wise, she was very into the pinup style and so am I. I don’t think I would have started producing my own comedy skits if it wasn’t for her. She gave me the courage to do it and put my own ideas to work. She passed away in 2017 and she is one of the celebrity deaths I will never get over. It broke my heart into 2. She even followed me on Instagram. She is probably the #1 reason I started my own sketch comedy show on YouTube.
2.Can you share a specific moment or experience that fueled your passion for your current creative project?
I currently produce, write, and star in my own webseries called CREEPER that gets a lot of streams on TikTok. I’m really proud of that character and my work on that show. I have always wanted to play a deranged, scary character so getting to play her and be in charge of her fate is very exciting.
3.What challenges have you encountered as an indie creator, and how have they shaped your approach to your work?
Getting an audience and getting streams. I have a much bigger audience on TikTok and I think that’s why it’s surpassing YouTube in popularity nowadays. TikTok sort of gives everyone a chance to be seen or heard while YouTube went very corporate and their algorithm favors their bigger creators and really not giving everyone a chance to be seen or heard like it used to 15 years ago.
4.Are there any particular creators who have significantly influenced your style or approach? How do you incorporate those influences into your own unique voice?
As I mentioned earlier, Stevie Ryan for sure! Her and I had so much in common and I miss her so much. She was very much into the retro/50’s pinup scene and so am I. We have the same sense of humor and are very much character actors. I also really like Morgan Presley on TikTok. Again, her and I also share the same sense of humor since she has a very bathroom sense of humor and so do I! I have cried from laughing so hard at her videos. I also love her punk-rock fashion sense of style and her ever-changing hair colors. Another tiktoker I absolutely love is glitterwave80s. She is a gal who is obsessed with the 80’s, as am I, and she lives her life as 80s as possible and it’s just so neat, I thought I was the only person out there that was not alive in the 80’s that is obsessed with the 80s, and through TikTok, I’ve learned there’s an entire 80’s community out there and it’s incredible. I’ve also been watching Trisha Paytas non-stop since like 2009. I’m a Trisha OG and absolutely love seeing her so happy now, she had some tough times.
5. How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to feedback from your audience or collaborators?
I’m just me and I realize I am not everyone’s cup of tea. If someone doesn’t like me or doesn’t find me interesting, it’s okay. I get my sense of humor is a bit odd and absurd. Comedy is subjective and an art in itself. Everyone’s sense of humor is so unique and diverse. I also don’t like to pretend to be someone I am not, I want to let my freak flag fly from the get-go haha.
6.Can you recall a memorable success story or milestone in your indie creator journey that stands out as a turning point for you?
Anytime I am approached for a voice acting job. It makes me happier than anyone will ever know. I have a few cartoons that are in production right now where I voice a character, so I’m way stoked for those to come out.
7.What role do setbacks or failures play in your creative process, and how do you overcome them to keep moving forward?
I think I’m sort of used to failure and rejection. I have been in the entertainment industry since I was 10 years old, so I was facing constant rejection and failure everyday that young and it honestly is humbling and taught me that I can’t get everything I want, I have to work for it. It’s a good thing to learn when you’re young. It turns you into an adult that’s a hard worker. I will admit that sometimes I do need a short break so if I find myself getting exhausted, I make sure to calm myself down and rest. It’s like recharging a battery, if I don’t rest and “recharge” so to speak, I will wear out. After I rest, then I can move forward.
8. How do you manage your time and energy to sustain a consistent creative output while juggling other aspects of life?
Naps. Lots of naps. And coffee. I also custom-designed my own planner book online and then had it mailed to me. It has helped me SO much in keeping me accountable and organized and getting things done. I feel extremely proud when I accomplish everything I put in the planner for that day, because sometimes it gets tough if something unexpected comes up. It also helps me remember everything I need to do if I write it down.
9.Have you found any unexpected joys or rewards in the indie creator community, and how has it contributed to your overall experience?
I believe art is therapeutic in many ways. I have a fan who has a brain tumor that watches my comedy skits and told me it helps him get through everything he is going through. I cried when he told me that, him and people like him going through a horrible time with whatever they are going through is why I do what I do. Art heals. And yes, comedy skits are art, no matter how absurd it is lol!
10.If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring creators, what would it be based on your own lessons learned?
Create whatever makes you happy. You will find your people!
11. What are your thoughts on All Ages of Geek? What are some things we should change/do? What are something you enjoy about our website?
I loooooove All Ages of Geek! You both are really putting your heart and soul into this and it shows, look at the huge following and audience you have! You should be really proud of yourselves!
12. Goals for 2024?
Career-wise, I want to just continue doing quality tv/film/stage/voiceover work and get a new agent, and continue my own projects as well. I want to also further my training in ballet and musical theatre jazz…and you’re going to laugh at me, but I also really want to dye my hair a crazy color, like dark blue or lavender or something! I also want to go back to Ireland, one of my absolute favorite places in the world. I also would love to voice act for video games.
—
