We recently connected with Christian Ramirez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Christian, thanks for joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
From a young age, storytelling was my passion, and as I approached high school graduation, I knew I wanted to be a film director. I researched several schools and ultimately chose the Los Angeles Film School for its hands-on program. At 19, I was the youngest in my class when I started my journey there.
Upon graduating, I directed a short film called “Eric,” a poignant story about a gay teen’s first kiss, shot on 16mm film. This project took me through the entire filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production. “Eric” earned me a mentorship fellowship from Film Independent’s Project: Involve, where I was paired with Sergio Arau, the director of “A Day Without a Mexican.” This mentorship was a pivotal moment in my career.
Following that, I was commissioned to write two feature films, a significant milestone for me as a writer. Although the scripts went unproduced, the experience of collaborating with a producer was invaluable and further honed my skills.
After a brief hiatus from filmmaking, I focused on writing and self-published an anthology series titled “The Late Hour, Stories for the Insomniac,” with the second volume set for release early next year. Throughout this period, I felt the persistent urge to tell stories visually. During this time, I realized the importance of understanding the technical side of filmmaking, particularly lighting and editing, areas I previously relied on others for. I took the initiative to learn these skills, wanting to be more involved in the technical aspects of my work. I started directing projects on my phone, but recently upgraded my film equipment to enhance the quality of my work. This investment in my craft paid off, as I received a couple of awards for my recent projects, including an Honorable Mention for “Lost Dog” from the Santa Fe Springs Film Festival.
My journey from idea to execution has been filled with learning, growth, and a relentless pursuit of my passion for storytelling. Each step, from my education to my mentorship, writing commissions, and recent projects, has been a building block toward my goal of creating impactful visual stories.
Christian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In school, I never quite fit in. I was shy, timid, and insecure. Movies became and still are my outlets. To me, going to the theater is like going to church; I go in seeking an emotional experience. Sometimes that experience comes from an action-packed popcorn movie, while other times, it’s from a film with profound themes and visual styles that linger long after the credits roll. Though I eventually grew out of my shyness, my love for storytelling through film only deepened. My goal is to give audiences the same feelings, twists and turns that come with an impactful film.
My motivation to pursue film directing came from James Cameron. As the son of a truck driver, the film industry seemed out of reach. But in middle school, I discovered that Cameron was also a truck driver who didn’t attend film school or college. One day, he decided to learn about making movies. He went to his local library and checked out several books on screenwriting and filmmaking. Another pivotal moment was when I saw a video of Cameron, around the time “Titanic” was released. He was sitting on the ground, using Hot Wheels and toy trucks to show his crew what he envisioned for a scene in “Terminator 2.” Watching a grown man play with toys to convey his vision made me realize I wanted to be a movie director. Inspired by Cameron’s journey, I asked my mom to take me to the library, checked out a book on screenwriting, and the rest was history.
What sets me apart from my peers is my unique voice. Everyone in the movie industry is passionate about films, but my distinct choices in storytelling and my ability to create entertaining movies will drive audiences to watch my films. I aim to craft stories that evoke deep emotional responses and stay with viewers long after they leave the theater. My work is driven by a deep love for storytelling and a desire to evoke powerful emotions through film.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
When I was coming out of my hiatus and needed inspiration to start making movies again, I turned to interviews with my favorite film directors. These interviews were the fuel I needed to reignite my passion. Directors like David Fincher and Martin Scorsese repeatedly emphasized that having a camera on your phone is enough to start making films. So, I took their advice to heart and went out to shoot a movie.
For my short film “Lost Dog,” I did everything myself: I shot it on my phone, wrote the script, edited the footage, handled the sound, and even produced the poster. The result was a deeply personal film about a man searching for his lost dog, only to discover that what he truly lost was something far greater than a pet.
What I loved about those interviews was the common thread that no director had a clear, set path to success. They all shared one crucial piece of advice: just go out there and make a movie. William Friedkin, the director of “The Exorcist” and “The French Connection,” said that filmmaking isn’t about thinking; it’s about doing. This resonated with me deeply. Another quote that stuck with me is from James Cameron: “Failure is acceptable. What isn’t acceptable is fear.” This mindset taught me that a filmmaker needs to be fearless. No matter how challenging the situation or difficult the project is, fear should never hold you back from making movies.
These resources and quotes have significantly impacted my approach to filmmaking and entrepreneurship. They reminded me that the key to success lies in action, perseverance, and a fearless attitude towards failure.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Non-creatives might struggle to understand the deeply personal and emotional nature of a creative journey. For me, filmmaking isn’t just a career; it’s a way of life and a profound form of self-expression. Movies have always been my outlet, a sanctuary where I could escape and find solace. This passion started in my childhood and has only grown stronger over the years.
Another aspect that might be hard to grasp is the immense vulnerability involved in creating something from scratch. Each film, script, or story is a piece of me. This vulnerability can be both exhilarating and terrifying. The creative process is filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and countless hours of hard work, often with no guarantee of success.
Another challenge is the relentless pursuit of perfection. As a creative, you are constantly pushing yourself to improve, to tell better stories, and to evoke stronger emotions. This drive can be exhausting, but it’s also what fuels our passion and keeps us going. Non-creatives might find it difficult to understand why we invest so much time and energy into our projects, often sacrificing personal time and comfort.
The path to success in the creative industry is rarely linear. It’s filled with setbacks, rejections, and failures. But these experiences are crucial for growth and learning. I’ve had scripts go unproduced and faced numerous obstacles, but each setback has taught me valuable lessons and made me a better filmmaker.
One of the most enlightening insights I can offer is that creativity thrives on resilience and fearlessness. As James Cameron said, “Failure is acceptable. What isn’t acceptable is fear.” Embracing failure as a learning opportunity and not letting fear hold you back is essential for any creative journey.
For anyone trying to understand the creative process, I encourage you to appreciate the emotional investment and the relentless pursuit of improvement that drives creatives. It’s a journey filled with highs and lows, but the passion for storytelling and the desire to connect with audiences make it all worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://winestoneent83.wixsite.com/christianramirez
- Instagram: winestone83
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christian.ramirez.1848?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbcZQKgZS4UpaJP_hq0i5u0oOLZTIUAo6&si=RaayQK-G9qWne5HU
- Other: Amazon: The Late Hour, Stories for the Insomniac.: Volume 1. https://a.co/d/091SsnAP
TikTok: @casuallychristian83
Image Credits
Jon Lance Duran
Byron Vasquez Jr.
Anthony Ortiz
Steven L. Palacios
Santa Fe Springs Film Festival