Biography
Bree West is a NAACP Image Award nominated writer, Showrunner, film and music video producer, and director whose work has been broadcasted on BET, BET+, TVOne, Lifetime, ALLBLK, Amazon Prime and Apple TV networks. Bree started her film career in 2015 when she co-executive produced, "The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story." She then began developing and producing film content with her husband and producing partner Chuck West. Together, they established OCTET Productions, a full-service film, television, and event production company in 2015. Today, Bree is currently the Creative Producer and COO of OCTET Productions. OCTET's first creative efforts focused on producing and filming theatrical plays for broadcast, digital, and home entertainment distribution. Those projects included: "You Can't Hurry Love" (2016) and "Addicted to You." (2017).
In 2019, OCTET produced its first scripted film, "Angrily Ever After," a romantic comedy starring Jasmine Burke, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Tyrone Marshall Brown, Terayle Hill, and directed by Terri J. Vaughn. Angrily Ever After premiered on BET and BETHer. OCTET's next film, "'Twas The Chaos Before Christmas" starring Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Sherri Shepherd, Affion Crockett, and Victoria Rowell, premiered on BET and BETHer. The film was a rating's hit, viewed by 1.2 million homes on premiere night, making it the highest-rated holiday film in BET Networks history. In 2020, Bree produced "Love on A Two-Way Street," a special theatrical production that premiered first on ABFF Play, the American Black Film Festival's OnDemand portal. During the Biden-Harris Presidential Inauguration of 2021, OCTET produced a virtual gospel concert event, "The 2021 Inaugural Gospel Celebration," hosted by Anthony Anderson with special appearances by Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut, Lamman Rucker, and Pastor Shirley Caesar. Bree went on to executive produce and creatively produce the suspense thriller entitled, "Stalked Within".
In 2022, OCTET Productions released two (2) BET+ Original projects, a holiday film entitled, "A Wesley Christmas," which received two NAACP Image Awards nominations, one was Bree's nomination for Outstanding Writer in a Television Movie or Special. In addition, OCTET presented its first TV Series, "HUSH," which premiered on AMC Networks streaming service ALLBLK, and was rated the Number one new show on the streaming service as a top series on AppleTV as well. In 2023, OCTET completed four dynamic film projects: "A Wesley Christmas Wedding," the second of three "Wesley Christmas" movies co-written by Bree. This film opened BET+'s 2023 holiday films' season and "Wake," a suspense thriller starring Shoniqua Shondai, J. Alphonse Nicholson and DeRay Davis. The second season of OCTET's acclaimed series "HUSH" was released in December, and it was the project where Bree made her directorial debut, directing and writing two episodes, while also serving as co-Showrunner with her husband Chuck. Season 2 of "HUSH" receiving the highest views each week for the first 5 weeks it was released. Also in 2023, Bree West co-wrote and produced OCTET's fourth project entitled, "A Kismet Holiday", a Christmas romantic comedy that is scheduled to be released over the Christmas holidays of 2024. Bree was excited to learn that "A Wesley Christmas Wedding" was later selected as number 11 on IMDB's Top 50 Overall Best Christmas Movies of 2023 list.
In March 2024, OCTET traveled to Durban, South Africa to shoot the third Wesley Christmas installation, "A Wesley South African Christmas" also co-written by Bree. This film was the first of its kind that merged an African American family with a Zulu South African family to celebrate the holidays and their cultures in the KZN region. In addition, OCTET merged crew and the producing team to create the global film project. While filming in South Africa, Bree received notice that OCTET's wildly successful series "HUSH" has been picked up for a third season.
Bree and her husband/production partner Chuck West are also committed to their blended family consisting of eight talented, young adult children and giving back. In addition, they prioritize mentoring the next generation for filmmakers. Bree and Chuck have given lectures to students at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Howard University, American University and developed a partnership with Bowie State University to help advance the careers of young aspiring filmmakers. Most recently, Bree addressed students at Lebone II College of The Royal Bafokeng. "Our films tell the stories of our cultural experiences during the time periods that they capture. They will be used, in the future, as tools that convey how we lived. It is our obligation to tell our authentic stories." In March 2022, Bree West was awarded the title of OCTFME Filmmaker of the Month and has been a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated since 1993.
