Although Brantley was born in Dubois, Pennsylvania, his family moved to Westminster, Vermont (right on the VT/NH state borders) when he was only three months old. They later moved to New Hampshire when he was 12, and Brantley considers New Hampshire to be his home state. Brantley graduated from Keene State College with honors in 2008. While at the school, he participated in creating over a dozen short films. He was one of 2 senior film majors chosen to direct a 30 minute 16mm film, which he also wrote, entitled, "Troublesome Man." After college, Brantley moved to Boston with his fiancé and has produced a feature film, Through the Woods, with Royal River Productions.