Fayetteville native turns a childhood dream into a global film career

As a teenager growing up in Fayetteville, Georgia, Brian LaBrec spent countless afternoons making music videos with his friends, with a camera, some imagination and time to kill. He never imagined those backyard productions would lay the groundwork for a career that would take him around the world and onto the sets of some of the most high-profile film and television projects in Hollywood.

Now based in Marietta, LaBrec serves as head of operations for North America at Clear Angle Studios, a global 3D capture company specializing in the behind-the-scenes work that brings digital worlds to life. From scanning actors and props to capturing entire environments for visual effects, his team played a critical role in productions like Stranger Things, Superman, Electric State, Marvel Thunderbolts, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Captain America: Brave New World.

But his journey in the film industry didn’t follow a traditional path. After earning a music degree from Florida State University and considering a career in arts administration, LaBrec found himself at a crossroads until a tip from his dad changed everything.

“My dad found an article about the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) and said, ‘You’ve always loved this. Why not give it a shot?’” LaBrec recalled. “I enrolled in the continuing education program that spring and that decision really changed my life.”

After landing an internship with Clear Angle Studios through the Georgia Film Academy, LaBrec was thrilled to be contributing in the film industry. “My first day on the job, I was scanning the set of Jungle Cruise. I’ve been with Clear Angle ever since.”

Founded to train Georgians in the film industry, the Georgia Film Academy gave LaBrec the real-world experience he needed to thrive. “It was like getting an Ivy League education for film production in Georgia,” he said. “Within weeks you’re on set working with professionals.”

LaBrec now leads operations for Clear Angle in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Vancouver while helping expand the company’s reach to international markets like Europe, Thailand and Australia. His focus is on building strong teams and maintaining the studio’s reputation for technical precision and innovation. “We’re growing in new ways. Some of it’s behind the scenes but it’s exciting and necessary.”

Among his favorite memories is working on The Suicide Squad with director James Gunn. “They built an entire jungle inside a soundstage. Then we spent a month shooting on a beach at night. We even traveled with the crew to Panama. That was a ‘pinch me’ moment for sure.”

LaBrec credits GFA not only with giving him his start but also with helping him recruit the next generation of talent. “We’ve hired several GFA alumni. It’s a trusted pipeline,” he said.

He also sees his story as a testament to how Georgia’s entertainment industry has matured. “When I was a kid, if you wanted to work in film, you had to go to Hollywood. That’s not the case anymore. GFA opened a door for me right here at home.”

As he reflects on his journey from DIY videos to global studio leadership, LaBrec is quick to acknowledge the role his parents played. “My dad was an aircraft mechanic who became a manager at Delta. In some ways our paths are similar. GFA gave me the tools to follow my dream and I’m proud to help others do the same.”