Brad Everett Young is, not only an excellent actor, but is a creative, talented, and generous photographer!  He is able to capture photos and videos of some of the most well-known actors in an original and artistic manner, setting him apart from the sea of Hollywood professional lensmen & women.

In addition, Brad has given much of his time and talent to his beloved philanthropic project Dream Loud Official.

He has graciously agreed to share quite a bit about himself, his special talents, and Dream Loud with the Carolyn Topol Talk readers.

Carolyn Topol Talk:  How did you get involved in the arts?

CTT:  How did Dream Loud come about and when?

It’s such a crazy world we live in now, and I feel like the next generation needs these Art & Music programs more than ever, so I want to keep continuing to do all that I can to help retain the programs that are still in existence, help reinstate the programs in the schools that have lost them, and inspire kids AND adults to just be more creative and pursue the arts more. I feel like the [arts] could be SUCH a creative outlet now with everything that’s happening around us in the world. If nothing, let it be an escape and get those emotions out that need to be expressed. 

BEY:  My process came out of simply trying to figure out what I could do to help that would actually capture people’s attention [of the need] to raise awareness to the schools losing the programs. With families being so busy today, many don’t even know that their kid’s schools have lost the programs already and I wanted to figure out a way to wave a bright red flag to make them aware and to encourage them to step in and help out. I had a long history with photography so I thought what better way to get someone’s attention than with attention grabbing, conversation provoking photographs. But it couldn’t be just pictures of anyone, it had to be someone they were already watching, and that’s where many of my friends who are on daytime soaps came in. I knew many parents watched those shows so I started with them and continue to keep those amazingly talented actors on the daytime shows part of the campaign. Their ability to capture the attention of so many parents is amazing, and having them be part [of Dream Loud], without a doubt, made this whole campaign successful. When I started photographing the daytime stars many parents started attending PTA meetings again after learning the schools had lost the [art and music] programs. They began getting the programs back, having fundraisers to help retain them, and so much more. It’s been incredible! 

BEY:  I’ve been basically using every ‘friend card’ I have, and then some. I’ve lived in L.A. and worked in the biz for, gosh, over 17 years now, and I’ve been able to work with so many talented amazing people that I just had to have them all part of this, being that we all came from art & music backgrounds. So many have jumped in without even asking and have been nothing short of incredible. It’s grown so much that I don’t even know how it’s gotten this big. [laughs]

BEY:  If you have kids in schools now, call and make sure their schools still have the programs. If they do, ask how stable the programs are, how much supplies they have, and if you and other parents can help in any way to keep the funding for the programs going by having fundraisers, etc. If they have lost them [the art and music programs] already, call the local school board and find out when the next meeting is, or find out when the next PTA meeting is at your kids’ schools. Ask to get the topic of Art & Music programs put on the agenda for discussion. In the meantime, give your kids paint supplies, water coloring and crayon books, and musical instruments.  Get them into piano lessons, give them their first camera, etc. There’s SO MANY endless ways that we can encourage the arts. 

 

BEY:  Oh my gosh, yes! I have so much stuff coming up — it’s crazy to even think about. I’ve been shooting so much and can’t even catch up. There’s so much that people haven’t even seen that I’ve shot over the last two-plus years. I’d say what you’ve seen me release might be about 10% of what I’ve shot.

I’ve just not been able to get it all polished up and released, but I’m working on forming a production company that will help roll it all out a lot better. There’s so many photographs, interviews, games, screen tests, and more that I’m about to release in big ways!  I’ve also been in the process of putting together several programs for online distribution, as well as pitching a few series to the larger networks that are Art & Music based.

I have to keep it front and center in all that I do. It’s so important! 

 

BUT there are a few shoots coming up that I KNOW are going to make people scream. [smiles] You just have to keep watching. I like to surprise people all the time. [grins] 

 

CTT:  Who was the first person you ever shot for Dream Loud?

 

BEY:  Ryan Carnes [currently Lucas on General Hospital] was the very first person that was ever shot for the campaign, and I didn’t actually shoot him the first time. It was my friend Keith Lemelin. Keith did the first two shoots actually. He shot Ryan and my good buddy Jonathan Lipnicki.

The shoots were so successful that so many other friends wanted to come be part of the campaign. I jumped back into photography to shoot a few of the next shoots that followed, and it snowballed and turned into what it has now. I couldn’t have done any of this without the help of them, and so many friends.

I’m nothing without my friends. I’m so blessed and lucky to know and have worked with so many phenomenal individuals that want to be part of the artsy madness and help in any way they can. This whole thing wouldn’t work without, not just them, but all the amazing friends on social media as well that like, comment, and share the photos daily helping get the word out on the schools losing the art & music programs. It’s true when they say you have to surround yourself with the right people, and I’ve certainly done that and wouldn’t be able to do this without everyone. [smiles broadly] #Blessed #Honored #GratefulBeyondwords! 

 

CTT:  Who is the actor you have shot the most?

 

BEY:  I used to know the answer to this, but everyone keeps coming back so much now. [laughs] I know Ryan Carnes and Jen Lilley [currently Theresa on Days of Our Lives] have become staples in everything I’ve done with this [campaign]. Anytime I have a crazy idea I text them, and I always get an “I’ll be there, you’re crazy, but I’ll be there,” response. [laughs]

But gosh, the list goes on and on now with people who are part of this and who keep coming back in [for more shoots]. That’s the thing — the first shoot starts the process of creativity. They leave already having ideas for the next shoot, most of the time. I sometimes get texts 5 min after they leave asking if they can come do this idea or another, and I’m always like, “absolutely.” It’s all so much fun. I seriously had someone turn around and come right back to shoot more after leaving once. They got that inspired and couldn’t wait. [smiles] I love telling that story. 

 

CTT:  If you could get the cooperation of every actor on the planet, who would be your dream subject to shoot?

 

BEY:  When I ask friends to be part of this it’s the ones who jump in so quickly, without hesitation, who I want to work with the most. The ones who care so much about helping save the Art & Music programs. Those are the best shoots, and who I want to work with forever. [smiles] 

 

Aside from that, I just wanna work, shoot, with everyone! [laughs] I don’t know that I ultimately have a ‘wish list’ of any sort. I know who I’d love to work with, and if I were to make a list it’d be endless. It’s like picking your favorite album or TV show of all time. It’s so hard. I said it in an interview a while back, “I only really have one person I’d love, love to shoot one day, but I never really say it in fear of jinxing it. [laughs] So, I just continue to work, and one day that will happen. [smiles]

I don’t really question any ‘If’ factors anymore — it’s just about timing. Anything is possible!

CTT:  You teased us with a post about downloading the live.me app – can you shed any light on that or give us any details?

 

BEY:  I’ve been looking for ways for those who love what I’m doing to interact with the friends involved, and who I’m shooting for [Dream Loud], and was recently made aware of the app at Comic Con.  It was used to live stream some of the events at NerdHQ with Zac Levi and others. It was such a cool app. I’ve been, and still am, a big believer in mystery so I’ve been against showing too much. [laughs]  I know people want more, and I’m looking into ways for the fans to interact more through the live streaming of portions of the shoots, where they can watch, ask questions, and more. It’s all being worked out, and I want it to be fun for everyone — while not show everything, because I really do like surprises. [laughs] And I think the fans do to! 

 

*****

Brad Everett Young is an inspiration to all who care about Art and Music programs in schools.  He freely shares his time and talent to spread the important message through the Dream Loud Official campaign.