Brandon Elonzae

Brandon John Elonzae was born March 28th, 1987, in Livonia, Michigan. At the age of 3, his mother, Tania Elonzae married her first husband, Jerry Riewe. Brandon is the oldest of their two children. Brandon was raised in Rapid City, SD. until he returned to Michigan with his family at the age of 10. During his high school years, his parents divorced and his mother re-married to recent husband, Eric Esser. From a very young age, Brandon excelled in the arts. It wasn't until it was during his senior year of high school, that he discovered what he wanted to pursue in life. What started out as a high school science fiction film project, quickly became his passion. With long time friend/neighbor, Justin Briars, he wrote, directed and starred in his very first short film, "The Potion." The recognition and support from his peers and family lead him to a life-changing milestone. After graduating high school in 2005, Brandon was faced with the challenge of having no money for acting school and no way to California. Brandon enlisted in the United States Navy selecting to be stationed in San Diego, CA. He served as an Information System Specialist and was deployed to Iraq under President Bush's Individual Augmentee Program from November 2007 to November 2008. In 2010, after two deployments on the USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), Brandon's four years of service had paid off. With the help of the G.I. Bill, he moved to L.A and enrolled at the New York Film Academy. Immediately, he started making his mark in Hollywood by performing in multiple plays, showcases and student films. After approaching director Nick DeRuve looking for work, he landed his first role in an independent short entitled "Schenectady, New York." Schenectady went on to win best short at the Burbank International Film Festival and was an official selection for both the New York International Film Festival as well as the Orlando Film Festival, leading to a debut feature film role. "Electric City" will hit the independent film circuit in 2013. In June of 2011, Brandon Elonzae and good friend Sadin Thomas Oel, wrote, produced and starred in a one-act play, "Z.A.F." It premiered during the Hollywood Fringe Festival, with sold out opening and closing nights. In the same week Brandon graduated with an Associate of Fine arts degree in Acting for film. Motivated more than ever and feeling unfulfilled, he made the decision to step behind the camera. Brandon enrolled in a Digital/Film program where he adapted the stage play into a screenplay as part of his final project. "Z.A.F." has been filmed and is looking at an early release of March 2012.