Artist: Lee Brown
Pronouns: he/him/his
Art Submission(s): Song, “Kissing an Angel with her Eyes Closed”
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Lee Brown has been writing nearly all of his life, starting at a very young age, and has been part of the writing crew for shows like Veronica Mars and Glee, and continues to write screenplays and music today.
We are excited to be spotlighting Lee’s creations in this year’s showcase through digital presentation, and an interview about his journey of creativity, experiences, and thoughts.
We’ll start with describing your creative work/practice: What tools do you use? Do you have a routine?
Lee has been in the ACC RTF program and recently got back into UT after a nine-year break. Currently, Lee writes screenplays and music.
What does your work aim to say? Why do you create?
Lee loves films and music, and has written over 200+ screenplays and songs. In total, has perhaps written over 5000 songs and music. He was writing songs when he was little and later got into poetry.
Who/What are your biggest influences? Who/what inspires you?
Aside from loving comedies and inspired films, Lee says he doesn’t have much influence he pulls from directly.
How have you developed your practice? What challenges and opportunities have you come across? How has your practice changed over time?
Lee has faced challenges in developing his practice. After an incident in 2018, he faced the inability to write or put words together and needed to teach himself how to write again. Currently, he’s been writing high energy comedies.
A longtime writer, Lee has been a writer for projects such as Veronica Mars and Glee, and has worked with actors such as Seth Rogan.
What are you most proud of? Why?
Lee is most proud of his work on the site of Moonlight Pictures, produced by his idol. Seth Rogan was a lead in the movie, while Lee himself stars in it as an actor.
What is your dream project?
Project ATF. It’s about both sides of a talent show. The talent and behind the scenes. He was working on the producer on it.
How do you share your creative practice and with whom?
Lee mostly shares his work with his agent, who then sends scripts to producers and other connections.
Has living at Foundation Communities impacted your practice? If so, how?
Foundation Communities has given Lee a chance to focus on his art and life; he’s really thankful for not having to worry as much about rent or the stress of finding a job quickly. In his five years with Foundation Communities, he loves the staff and hasn’t had any problems with residents.
What art/culture trend do you love right now? What trend do you wish you could forget?
Lee loves TV shows, like Empire and Star, Grey’s Anatomy, or How to Get Away With Murder. There aren’t any trends in particular he thinks should be done away with.
What delights you? What brings you joy?
Spending time with friends, or going to dinner and the movies.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t give up.
What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Would you like fries with that?”
What piece of advice would you like to give?
Find your voice, and don’t ever give up on yourself.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate?
Treating himself with a bottle of liquor.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? What’s the last thing you do before going to bed?
The first thing: make the bed. The last thing: brush his teeth
“Find your voice, and don’t ever give up on yourself.”
What role do artists and culture-bearers have in society? What role could/should they have?
They create the culture. Music, movies, TV. They should be looked at as mentors and inspire people to be better.
What do creatives need in order to thrive? What do you need in order to be creative?
Influences; someone to inspire them.
What are you really into right now?
Twitter. Being able to keep in touch with people, and seeing thoughts of others; sharing your own.
One thing/person/idea/group/event/place/etc. everyone should know about:
Good writings in general.
Who is an artist? What does it mean to be creative?
Art is anything; it is what you make it. Trash can be art.
What question didn’t we ask that you wish we had? What question do you have for other artists, creatives, and culture-bearers?
“What question do you have for other artists, creatives, and culture-bearers?”