CELEBRITIES
WRITER | DIRECTOR
I’ve written and/or directed shows, commercials, promos, opens, features, and branded content featuring celebrities including Hollywood actors, professional athletes, music artists, college coaches, an NFL owner, and a whole lot of ABC and ESPN on-air talent. One thing I learned, the bigger the talent the nicer the person. Below are a few of my favorites. - Brian
Film: Kiefer Sutherland, Michael B. Jordan, Jeremy Renner, Michael Madsen, Yetide Badaki, Rob Riggle, Brian Baumgartner, Bokeem Woodbine, Lester Speight
Music: Common, Chuck D, MC Lyte, DJ Khaled, Kid Cudi, Sage Francis, the legendary Don Ho
Sports: Mark Messier, Jalen Rose, Ray Lewis, Joel Embid, Danica Patrick, Simon Pagenaud, Josef Newgarden, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoops, Mia Hamm, Michelle Kwan, Marion Jones, Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Stacey Dales, Kara Lawson, Geno Auriemma, Jerry Jones
TV: Pat Summerall, Al Michaels, Stuart Scott, Linda Cohn, Suzy Kolber, Dana Jacobsen, Chris Fowler, Gary Thorne, Salema Masekela, Lara Spencer, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion, Josh Elliott, Heidi Klum
Environmentalists: Jack Hannah, Bindi Irwin, Eugenie Clark
ESPN NBA COUNTDOWN OPEN featuring Michael B. Jordan | writer
The story of LeBron James is a never-ending tale of a man willing to fight for what is right for his family and community. And the latest chapter featured his return to Cleveland for the first time since moving to LA.
ESPN WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR OPEN “ Can I Play” featuring Sue Bird, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoops, Mia Hamm, Michelle Kwan, Marion Jones, Swin Cash, Stacey Dales, Kara Lawson | writer
I wrote this tease to honor and raise awareness for all the women and girls who play and love the this game has hard as any man ever could, but especially my wife, Casey, a four-year Rice Owl.
NBA COUNTDOWN “COVID-19 Restart” featuring Chuck D | writer
"Most of my heroes don't appear on now stamp." But one of them, read my script. Following the pause for the ultimate cause, the 2019-2020 NBA Season finally tipped off the last week of July. The script I wrote for the NBA Restart Countdown show addressed the fact our country was dealing with two pandemics – COVID-19 and racism, specifically the systemic racism fueling police brutality. I'm proud that ESPN was willing to address these issues and hired one of the most influential writers, activists and MCs in my life, Chuck D. Public Enemy was a significant part of my college soundtrack, and Chuck's intelligent and insightful lyrics made you want to "Get into it. Get involved." Power to the people and the beats.
GOOD MORNING AMERICA “Jumpstart January featuring Lara Spencer, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion, Josh Elliott, Heidi Klum | writer + director
Okay, this was an awesome production. I had the pleasure of writing the script then working with the entire GMA team and small group of actors, directing them through some fun scenes, which resulted in a really cool spot.
ESPN NFL SUPERBOWL COUNTDOWN OPEN featuring Michael Madsen | writer
The piece established the storylines behind the final drive of the season, and the tone for what would be one of the greatest Super Bowls finishes of all time. Michael Madsen recorded the narration for this piece from his trailer was filming Quentin Tarantino’s “Hateful 8”. He actually got a bit choked up during one of the takes. Listen below.
SHOWTIME “ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER VS GUERRERO” Show 1 featuring Common | writer
This was an incredible production to be a part of. Not only was I able to apply my craft to telling stories about Floyd Mayweath, but my scripts were read by narrator Common. I even got a nice mention from NewsDay writer Robert Cassidy, "Writer Brian Arndt was a perfect fit for narrator Common and the piece was beautifully shot. If the goal is to match HBO's landmark "24/7" series, they are certainly getting there."
ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL OPEN “Vintage Rivalry” featuring Pat Summerall, Trevor Pryce, Tony Gonzales, Jake Plummer, Dante Hall, Jake Plummer, Priest Holmes | writer
This was one of many teases I wrote with Rico Labbe for Sunday Night Football where we asked ourselves, "Is ESPN really letting us do this?". I still can't believe Mr. Sommerall read my line, "Hair grease and peace was a thing of the past."
DAYTONA x DANICA “Totally Your Speed” SERIES / “Relaxin” featuring Danica Patrick | writer + director
I produced and directed a series of social videos featuring Danica Patrick for Daytona Beach CVB. It was a jam-packed one-day shoot comprised of 8 scripts and set-ups, and one poignant set etiquette reminder after I turned around to see the clients all aiming their cellphones at Danica – in her bathing suit.