Please introduce yourself, what you do, why you do it, and what you want people to know about you.
I’m Erman, founder of Ermantourage and co-founder of The Film Empire. Back in 2015, I started making a name for myself in LA and NYC with an industry event series called The Rel/event.
Living in Virginia at the time I figured out a way to get connected to the scene here in Hollywood. But my mission wasn’t just for me to get on the radar of the industry. I wanted to help others connect.
So our events came in the form of panels mixed with club nights. That way folks could make connections in a low-stress environment.
I knew I’d always make my way into the film business, I just didn’t know how. I capitalized on social media, especially the earlier years of Instagram, to make my rounds.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
My biggest claim to fame so far is being known as “top networker in Hollywood” through my entertainment platform. I connect people be it filmmakers to executives or to other filmmakers. This is the case for musicians as well.
While most people break-in from the outside, I’m breaking in from the inside out in a non-traditional way. I’ve made my industry connections prior to really making content.
In 2022, you’ll see more original content on my end, collaborating with creatives I’ve met through the last 5, 6 years.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you wanted to do what you do now. Who did you tell first? What has it been like since that moment?
In 2018, I launched my personal brand, Ermantourage. With it, I envisioned bridging entertainment with humanitarian efforts. My efforts included spotlighting different causes like suicide prevention and cancer prevention and anti-human trafficking endeavors.
I remember six months after I hosted a Hollywood event that raised money for an LA-based suicide prevention and mental health awareness organization, a friend of mine who volunteered for it reached out to me and mentioned that what we did literally saved her life.
She went through a dark time as a struggling actress, and doing an event spotlighting a mental health awareness cause made her realize people care.
What stood out to me about this moment was that I stood in the lobby of a big Hollywood production company after a general meeting with an exec. So, I stood in between both worlds of entertainment and made an impact.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face and how did you overcome it?
I think no matter who you know in Hollywood, it’s still a constant battle of getting yourself recognized. Just because I know half the industry – may be a bit conflicted, fine – doesn’t mean I can have a show on television next month.
The mental got to me a few times. I overcame that by changing my mentality. It may not be tomorrow and it may not be a year from now, but I know someday I will, in fact, make it big.
So, why stress? I’m moving in the right direction.
If you had to pick the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could take your career (or business) to the next level…who would those 3 people be?
I love Tarantino’s career trajectory and how he basically made a name for himself in the matter that he did. It’s inspiring. I also love Jason Blum’s producing model. Make films at a low budget, then kill it at the box office.
And honestly, just because he’s Filipino, I’d love to meet Bruno Mars. Maybe we can do a biopic one day in twenty years.
Keep up with Erman Baradi on his social media platforms:
- Instagram: http://Instagram.com/ErmanBaradi
- Twitter: http://Twitter.com/ErmanBaradi
