Investing in the Arts: From Braveheart to the Future of Texas Film

I’ve always believed that life is about more than numbers on a balance sheet. Wealth matters — but only as a tool to support meaningful work, compelling stories, purpose, experiencing the arts, and memorable experiences. As Lifestyle Investors, we spend plenty of time mastering the how of wealth: cash flow, tax strategy, asset allocation. Every once in a while, though, it’s important to step back and reconnect with the why.

My friend Matt Earl Beesley embodies that distinction. If you’ve watched Chicago Fire, Braveheart, or Pale Rider, you’ve already experienced his work. Matt took a singular passion, committed to it fully, and built a world-class career that gives him something many people chase but few achieve: the freedom to live life on his own terms.

His story is a reminder that it is possible to pursue your craft, make a real impact, and design a life around what matters most — and that’s exactly what this post is about.

Matt started out in Dallas, Texas, not Hollywood. The son of a schoolteacher who was a self-proclaimed “movie nut,” Matt recalls a pivotal moment at ten years old. He was allowed to push back his homework so he could watch The Great Escape. Seeing Steve McQueen flash across the screen, Matt turned to his father and asked, “How does this happen?”

This gave him a blueprint that would shape the next forty years: Find your passion, then don’t be outworked. In an industry where chances for success are slim, Matt adopted an Eminem-style mindset: Success was the only option.

The “Homework Nut” Philosophy

After directing over 150 episodes of television, you might expect the nerves to fade. Not for Matt. Every time he steps on set, he gets butterflies. Why? Because he’s a self-described “homework nut.”

Matt doesn’t just show up for a show such as Chicago Fire and wing it. It is not uncommon to see him walking the set alone on the weekends, script in hand, visualizing exactly where sixteen different characters will stand in a room.

He explains that he does all that homework so that once he steps on the set, he will be confident in his game plan.

For any investor, this is a powerful lesson. Having confidence doesn’t come from bravado; it comes from doing your “homework” when no one is watching.

Lessons from a Legend: The Clint Eastwood Way

After working as an assistant director with legends like Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood, Matt became a director himself. He shared a story that illustrates the importance of humility and collaboration in business.

While working on his fourth film with Clint Eastwood, the 6’4” legend leaned down and asked, “So, you want to direct, huh?” Clint then gave Matt advice he still follows today: Come in with a game plan, but remember it’s a collaborative art form. If the person handing you your coffee at 4:00 AM has a better idea, say “Thank you” and take it.

My world of building teams follows the same rule. Success comes when you harness the collective brainpower of your team, whether you’re heading up a SWAT team or managing an investment syndicate.

The New Asset Class: The Texas Film Surge

Usually, when we talk about alternative assets, we’re referring to real estate or private equity. In recent months, Matt and I have focused on the arts.

Film is no longer a “career for hire” for Matt; it has evolved into a vehicle for leaving a legacy. After decades of working for giants like Paramount and Warner Bros., he now focuses on Texas’s burgeoning film industry.

Hollywood is no longer the only game in town. Through aggressive tax incentives, Georgia has “scooped” massive production businesses from California. I’ve been to Tyler Perry’s Atlanta studio. It’s a monster facility with a replica White House. Currently, Texas is expanding its own tax incentives for stories based in the state and crews based there. As a result, we have massive tax-advantaged investment opportunities right in our own backyard.

From “Director for Hire” to Visionary

Matt’s resume is a mile long — CSI: Miami, Masters of Sex, Bosch, and Criminal Minds. He even directed the second unit on Braveheart. (Fun fact: I used to dress up as William Wallave, face paint and all, to fire up my sales team back in the day!)

Having told other people’s stories for years, Matt is ready to tell his own. His most recent script is called Front Terrace. It’s a Texas-based family drama set against the backdrop of the immigration crisis. The story isn’t political; it’s a human story about sacrifice and family. The story revolves around Carlos, an immigration lawyer in Austin who faces a high-stakes case when his blood relative appears on his doorstep.

The Case for Indie Film Investing

Independent films like Front Terrace, which cost $5–$6 million, are not the same as studio blockbusters, which cost $100 million.

• The Studio Model. After marketing, a movie must often gross $1 billion to break even.
• The Indie Model. Profitability thresholds are much lower, and there is more creative freedom.

In the Wild West of streaming platforms, consumers are hungry for high-quality, authentic content. To see a return, you don’t always need a big theatrical release. With domestic tax credits, foreign sales, and streaming residuals, a film deal can be an attractive alternative investment.

Conclusion: Why the Arts Belong in Your Portfolio

Ultimately, Matt reminded me that the most successful investments are those that align with our values and vision. Whether you’re investing in real estate, private equity, or making independent films like Front Terrace, you’re looking for freedom, purpose, and impact.

It’s not just about financial diversification when you invest in the arts — it’s about contributing to culture as well. As Texas becomes a premier destination for filmmakers, we have the opportunity to create and support stories that inspire, educate, and resonate. It is only through the same rigorous “homework” and collaborative spirit that Matt brings to his director role that we can discover opportunities that offer not just a return on capital, but a return on life, as well.

Key Takeaways

• Confidence is built on preparation. To move from anxiety to action, investors must perform the “homework” behind the scenes, just as Matt walks the set alone to visualize a scene.
• Passion + Work Ethic = Success. Your “calling” is only half the battle; you must also work relentlessly to avoid being outworked.
• Embrace collaborative creativity. If you want to achieve high levels of success, whether in Hollywood or business, you need to put your ego aside. Anyone can come up with a good idea, from the lead actor to the barista.
• Leverage geographical arbitrage. In the same way Georgia and Texas have used tax incentives to lure Hollywood businesses, smart investors seek out places with the most favorable economic tailwinds.
• The “indie” advantage. In contrast to large, high-overhead studio productions, smaller, independent projects often offer greater creative flexibility and a more predictable path to profitability.
• Diversify into cultural assets. There is nothing like the arts to add a “legacy” element to a portfolio. As an Executive Producer, you’ll be able to contribute to a story that may outlive your career.
• Art as a necessary escape. With constant problem-solving and “autopilot” brains, the arts provide a vital space for the mind to wander, recharge, and discover the next big idea.

Featured Image Credit: Kseniya Buraya; Pexels: Thank you!