Today we’d like to introduce you to Rene Garcia.
Rene, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I fell in love with filmmaking when I was 13 years old. I remember borrowing my mother’s camcorder at the time and using it to record a fake news show with my cousins. From there on, I became obsessed with the idea of making videos and telling stories through that medium, (I originally wanted to draw comic books and tell my crazy stories there. However, I was not patient enough to draw twenty-plus pages to tell a story!). So, I began to teach myself everything I could about filmmaking and story development. Eventually, I realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I made up my mind to go to school for this and become a professional filmmaker. I was not the wealthiest kid on the block, so I started out with a small camera for photos, each year upgrading to the next best thing I could afford. Over time, I was able to acquire some pretty cool equipment and final film in the style and quality I wanted – but in this, I developed my skills with what I had because that is what mattered in the end, it wasn’t the tools, it was how to use them. For five years, I learned everything I could about cinematography, editing, photography, etc. I had finally found my calling as a videographer and I set my mind to do that specific part of the vast world of filmmaking. I was then booked for grad parties, grad photos, freelance work for charities, etc. And now, I am developing a web-show for my YouTube Channel which I hope gets a lot of views and some good attention once it’s released! I have had the chance to work with some amazing people in the last few years, learning a lot about this industry and what it takes. I can safely say I am a professional now, looking for the next project!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road at all! My parents were low middle-class, so being able to purchase equipment to produce a short film of any kind was going to be a struggle. When I told my parents, I wanted to go to school for film, they seemed very hesitant about it, just because it wasn’t “realistic.” Once they saw how passionate I was, they threw that line away and supported me 100%. Once I got into school though, I struggled to maintain good grades and motivation, just because the realism of the school’s system put me down, among other things people my age would go through. But as time went on, I rediscovered my passion and why I wanted to be a filmmaker in the first place and did my best to finish strong! I earned my Bachelor’s degree and got out into the real world. Even then, a lot of employers kept telling me “no,” “you need more experience!” I was just about ready to give up when I got a job offer as a videographer for a wealthy businessman/influenced and I took it. While there, I met some interesting people who gave me great advice and I was just motivated enough to really focus and invest in myself, and what I could do. After parting ways with the job, I decided to produce a web-show for my YouTube Channel in the hopes of being able to show potential employers and clients what I am all capable of. Money has always been an issue because being a filmmaker is so damn expensive but it is so worth the investment. All in all, it has never been about the money for me, but I do hope that my investments now, pay off in the future!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a freelance videographer/producer. I basically help create content to clients. I first started off as a contract videographer for a businessman that hired me as an entity and not as an employee. So, from him, I started meeting other clients and influential people. Right now, I’m under contract with a Real Estate Media agency but still do jobs on the side, such as wedding videos, photography, etc. I was recently booked for a music video by an aspiring musician so I’m very excited about that.
I am also currently producing a short web series online called “Talia: Inhuman,” we are about to wrap up production on that here soon, so I’ll be starting the editing process.
What sets me apart from others, I feel is just how passionate and how in love I am with filmmaking/video production. I have never been committed to anything like I have this concept. I even wake up super early for filming (and I hate waking up early!) so that should show commitment right? Just kidding! No, but, I can talk about filming all day and night. You will never see my face light up with anything or anyone more than it does when it comes to making videos or talking about it. It’s a wonderful creative process, that really throws you into an ocean of many concepts. You get to learn more about people, make people feel good about themselves, show people and give people messages of importance, tell stories. A lot of people I met do it for the money or the fame that might come but not me. I am just happy that this gets to be my life, that I remained passionate and committed enough to work for this and get to a point where I can say, “I make videos for a living!”
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success as happiness. When you’ve reached a point where you’re content with where you are, where you can be proud of how far you’ve come, I think that is a success. You will never stop learning obviously but accomplishing goals, short and long term, is an amazing feeling. I still have a long way to go on my end of things but these are goals I have set myself to accomplish and can be certain, I will work hard and be just as dedicated, to achieving those goals, and therefore, a success!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taliawebseries.com
- Phone: 214-708-7513
- Email: jrenegarcia07@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/renefilmsvp
Image Credit:
Jusko Photography & Renefilms Productions
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