Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Salas.
Hi Juan, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started with Film at The Art Institute of Dallas, there I developed my craft and was able to start my Career directing Music Videos for Various Artists in Dallas such as Dorrough, Big Chief, Mr. Lucci and many more. Most notably Treal Lee & Prince Rick “Throwed Off” (Walk around the Club) & Bun B – “Riding Slow”. Then I moved on to my own projects in the form of Feature Length Films. starting with “The Triple D” movie, “ALP” an experimental horror film, then my 9X Award-Winning Crime/Drama “The Wolf Catcher”. That lead my to continue with film, leading to me working with Damian Chapa of “Blood In Blood Out” in my new boxing/drama “The Devil’s Ring”.
I was actually 5 months into another project when the opportunity came across to work with Damian. I’ve always been a long fan of “Blood in Blood Out” so this was a dream project for sure. So, I submitted the Script and a few days later Damian left me a voice mail saying he loved the Script and wanted to move forward.
I then contacted real-life 2X World Champion Paulie Ayala from Fort Worth to train our lead actor, Alexander Luna, for 2 weeks. this gave us invaluable insight into the World of Boxing. it was intense to say the least. We also have a notable appearance from the late Travell Mazion, of GoldenBoy boxing. Travell passed away during filming, but we were able to honor his legacy with an appearance in the Film. we also have a notable Cameo form Vergil Ortiz Jr. as well that sets up the Sequel. “The Devil’s Ring” is available NationWide on iTunes, Vudu, AmazonPrime, and more.
And now we are about to Announce the Main Star of my upcoming SLASHER “House of Dolls” currently filming in Los Angeles California. We are very excited about this Film and can’t wait for next Halloween’s release.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One obstacle we had was Covid during producing. We were actually right in the middle of production when COVID hit. We were about to fly to Los Angeles when all of a sudden everything got shut down. We had to cancel and lost a lot of Money. And us being an Independent Production, time was not something we had. During all the Chaos, we eventually had to continue filming when everything was more clear. If we had not continued, we would’ve risked the Film falling completely apart. luckily, everyone powered through and we made it to the finish line. It’s hard enough to try and get a film made but to try and complete a film through a WorldWide Pandemic, seemed impossible.
We also filmed in Various Locations across the U.S including Malibu and Colorado. It actually started raining on us during the filming in the Mountains. Our main lead actor, Alexander Luna had to run up the mountains and we had a Drone following him. It started raining, but we continued filming until we got the shot.
I’m very proud of the Cast: Al Dias, Damian Chapa, Alexander Luna, Violeta Ortega, Cameron Vitosh, Nathan Salas, Linda Robles, Emma Lopez, Pablo Deleon, TruFX, Jorge Villa, Ben G Films and many more.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
There’s a few things I’m most proud of, one of being my 3rd Indie Effort “The Wolf Catcher” starring Christian Petrovich, Adrian Lockett, Big Tuck, and Alexander Luna. This Crime/Drama is what got me my 9 Awards for Best Picture and Best Editing among many mid-level Festivals. It was a this point that decided to continue down this Path. this Film is important to me because it was here, I met Key cast members that would shape my next film. Had this film failed at Festivals I certainly would’ve continued doing films. So, I’m very proud of this Film, that is now available on VUDU and ITUNES, and AMAZON PRIME.
But “The Devil’s Ring” is what I’m most Proud of currently. It has been the most well-received project to date. This is my first film to get Nation Distribution, in partnership with GRAVITAS. and it feels great to know every project I do from now on has National Distribution.
What sets me apart from anyone and everyone else apart from one another we are all unique. we won’t tell our stories the same. but hopefully we each find whoever it is or whatever audience it is we are trying to reach. I tell my stories not to compare in any way but to hopefully inspire as have many great directors inspired me. Such as David Fincher and Darren Aronofsky to mention a few. To reach audience members individually through scenes, and just maybe they feel or find some info they are looking for, generally speaking. Film is subjective, so whatever the audience takes is hopefully what was intended.
Any big plans?
We are relaunching my Production Company POLAR BEAR FILMS in Los Angeles with 5 New projects for the next 5 years. The 1st being “House of Dolls”.
“House of Dolls” stars Taylor Cox, Alicia Underwood, Jack Rain, and Emma Lopez (also from The Devil’s Ring”. The Film is about 3 sisters who return home for a weekend to fulfill their dying fathers (George) last wishes only to confront each other and trigger a downward spiral of murder and horror inside a giant dollhouse.
This film a SLASHER film, it is heavily inspired by 90’s Slasher films like SCREAM, URBAN LEGEND, & I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER. It’s more Entertainment than anything so I can’t wait to see how people react.
And apart from a few other projects we have a Space/Adventure Show called “STAR BLAZER” that we are currently prepping for in Los Angeles starring Jack Rain (also from “House of Dolls”.) So were are very excited for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheDevilsRing.com
- Instagram: @directorJSalas
