Today we’d like to introduce you to Ignacio Arreola-vidal

Ignacio, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I was born in Mexico City in 1977, the eldest son in a family of five and the only male. My parents were hardworking, typical middle-class Mexicans who lacked formal education.

Despite never lacking love or attention, something was missing in my life: friends. As a very timid and introverted kid, I found solace in my imagination due to the lack of interaction with other children. Movies became my refuge, and every Sunday, my dad and I would visit a bustling street market in Mexico City to pick up the latest VHS tapes. Those magnetic tapes fueled my creativity.

In high school, I met my first love, Eva Maria. We later married and had two beautiful children, Sigfrido and Maximiliano. Unfortunately, our relationship didn’t last, and I found myself immersed in depression. It was during this difficult time that I had the opportunity to move to the United States. Crossing the border as an illegal immigrant at 25 years old, I didn’t speak a word of English and was terrified. My parents, already in the States, “sponsored” my journey, and thus began my new American life.
A few years later, I met my second wife, Anastacia “Stacy” Clark. Stacy was wise and encouraged me to pursue any career I desired. With her support, I entered college at the age of 30, studying Bilingual Communication at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.
Around the same time, devastating news arrived: Stacy had cancer. Unable to support her as she deserved, I took any job I could find, including working in a call center for AT&T. My emotional state hit rock bottom, and life seemed purposeless.
After Stacy’s passing in August 2013, I met Ciarra Adams—a sweet young lady who had also experienced loss. We bonded and eventually moved to Atlanta, GA, seeking family support. It was in Atlanta that my filmmaking career truly began. I worked as a DP (Director of Photography), appeared as a background extra in numerous shows and movies, and even served as Danny Trejo’s photo double in a film called “Meet the Blacks.”
Despite professional success, my personal life remained tumultuous. My relationship with Ciarra deteriorated, and depression persisted. Eventually, I made the decision to move back to Texas. Since then, I’ve been working nonstop as a DP on various feature films.
Now, on a brighter note, I’m about to produce my second feature film, “Periculum 1,” with a substantial budget. We’re set to shoot at the end of October 2024, and the future looks promising.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Filmmaking—I always say this sarcastically—is an expensive hobby. It demands dedication, continuous study, staying up-to-date, and networking. Unfortunately, being an introvert with a penchant for speaking my mind doesn’t help. Colleagues and peers often find me abrasive. Combine that with the cutthroat nature of the filmmaking industry, and it seems like a recipe for disaster. However, I’ve learned to manage my struggles and present myself in a more approachable way. Despite appearances, I’m actually quite nice and easygoing—I just don’t tolerate laziness.
Remember, perception matters, and finding a balance between authenticity and adaptability is crucial in this field.

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 have been a Director of Photography for about 10 years and have been working in the film industry for about 12. I have completed four full-length movies, one of which I produced myself. Currently, I am working on a fifth movie that I am co-producing, co-writing, and will co-direct.
I am not fond of talking about myself or being the center of attention. I prefer to focus on my work and be left to my own devices. However, if I were to highlight my accomplishments, I would mention that I am trilingual, have an IQ of 145, and am relentless when it comes to achieving my goals.
In addition to these, I also manage dyslexia and ADHD, which is a challenge in three languages.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?

I enjoy San Antonio, particularly the Texas autumn and winter, when it feels like morning all day. I appreciate the tacos, of course, and the city itself has a lot of character.
However, like any place, there are aspects I don’t appreciate. Some people can be selfish and rude. While you can find nice individuals, it often feels like many are walking around with a chip on their shoulder.

Pricing:

• $950/12

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paragonprimeproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paragonprimeproductions/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC399E60A6ahWj6q-wMYyckA