Ben on Narrative Filmmaking and Leaving Music Behind

At 28:20, Macwop asks Ben whether he has ambitions to expand beyond music video work and concert recaps into directing full-length feature films. Ben explains that people often ask him whether he plans to follow a rigid directing ladder, but his career has developed more organically based on which creative projects excite him at any given time. He notes at 28:47 that he directed a narrative short film two years prior, an experience that dramatically shifted his creative priorities.

Ben explains at 28:57 that before entering documentary and tour videography, he originally studied screenwriting and storytelling books as a student. Although documentary-style filming pulled him into the music touring circuit, he states at 29:05 that directing scripted narrative material reawakened his desire to pursue film projects. Macwop highlights that Ben already applies detailed cinematic sound design into his video recaps at 29:17, which gives him a natural technical foundation for cinematic production.

TF then shifts the conversation at 30:00 by asking Ben whether he ever feels an urge to rap or record music himself. The entire room laughs, and Ben reveals at 30:25 that he spent his youth performing in bands and rapping through college, but realized his technical ability as a musical artist was limited compared to his talent for crafting visual experiences. Ben concludes at 30:54 that immersing himself alongside premier recording artists allows him to share in musical creativity while dedicating his actual career focus to visual directing.