Meet PJ Szabo

Today we’d like to introduce you to PJ Szabo.

PJ, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Filmmaking is electric. Early in my life, I was obsessed with organizing images and categorizing and ranking all the music I listened to. Then I got my hands on my first camcorder. There is nothing inherently electrifying about a kid fumbling around with a Handycam but that early spark of hitting record and seeing what I captured stuck with me. In college, I gravitated towards filmmakers and musicians while working on my philosophy degree. Then I was asked to make a video for my local church. First I had to figure out what I was doing, and the rest is history. I’ve been learning how to tell beautiful stories ever since. I’ve worked on projects for Universal Technical Institute, Republic Services, Upward Projects, True North Studios, Central Christian Church, The Center for Action and Contemplation, the Arizona Coyotes and a few dozen incredible weddings.

Working on all of these projects has only helped me tell better stories. Now I’m working to partner with filmmakers who come from different backgrounds to tell stories I never could on my own. I’m really excited about what’s to come.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
The kind of films I’ve made that I’m proud of touch peoples hearts. I’ve made all kinds of things in the past because as a freelancer you make what comes your way. The Art that I make is always centered around the human experience. This means people, as real as you can get. Yes, it gets glossed up so we consumers can “enjoy it,” but the heart of it is human expression. This comes from my first projects being short documentaries about people going through life-changing experiences.

I’m not your traditional film person. I’m also not an idealistic hipster 100% of the time. Making anything is difficult and requires dedication and focus. Filmmaking no matter how big or small takes the same focus.

I like to come into a project with every film tool at my disposal and begin to simplify. To the point that whoever I’m filming feels like they can just be themselves with me and the camera.

This is how I end up on a camping trip with a bunch of military veterans I’ve just met, talking about their PTSD and after the first hour or so we’re all laughing. It’s 90% about connecting with people and 10% about shooting the scene. What I think most filmmakers get wrong is that it’s 50% about the gear you’re using, which means the client has to pay for that expensive gear. I’m happy to take on high dollar projects but I also love when I get a phone call from a musician starting out with $300.00 and an idea for a music video, and I can help make their dream video happen.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The biggest challenge I face as an artist is finding patrons who have the means to pay for the work I can create for them. Every organization is trying to reach customers or an audience. The films I make can connect them to that audience in a real and meaningful way. The challenge is finding those organizations and working with them to make meaningful content for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.szabofilms.co
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pjszabo

Image Credit:
PJ Szabo

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