Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Ramirez.
Hi Alex, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was always enamored with movies, able to speak a “cinematic language” with my mother and father from an early age. They would show me movies all the time and I was always taken by the magnificence, the humor, the sheer artistry in the craft. I was an avid writer from that early age and I naturally gravitated toward playwrighting and performing drama in high school, then, in college. From there, the shift from playwright to full-on moviemaker was an organic one. In the Rio Grande Valley, I began to write and direct my own films and, after graduation, I moved back to my hometown of San Antonio in 2015, working here ever since.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No journey should be smooth. This particular path has been tough. The film industry is no walk in the park. Highly competitive. Doing it at a local level presents its own unique set of challenges: budget, procuring crew, and shooting footage within your scope. Not letting life get in the way is another issue most of us contend with on the daily. It’s important to push on, no matter what. Too many people get lazy with menial work like gigs and commissions. If you wanna do narrative filmmaking, you have to work constantly on writing, shooting, and producing, and not get lazy. You have to learn to be your own hero.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I write, direct, and produce films. Making narrative work is really my bag. I’ve been lucky enough to screen worldwide and even bring my wisdom to teaching—I teach film and photography at an educational arts non-profit in San Antonio. I’m most proud of making movies that matter. I always get the question of “What kind of films do you make?” There is no “single kind of film”; I go with what I feel at the time. For all the awards and recognition I’ve gained in the 7 years I’ve been doing this professionally, what I’m most proud of is being able to share my talents and insight with students. Passing the torch.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
You have to be willing to learn and move past your own ego of “being taught.” You do not have all the answers.
Contact Info:
- Email: alexrmrzfilms@gmail.com
- Website: alexramirezfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexrmrz2/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexrmrzfilms/
- Youtube: https://vimeo.com/user8383799
