We were lucky to catch up with Mateo Marquez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mateo, appreciate you joining us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

If I could start over in my career I would focus more on learning how to write a good story. Most directors get lost with the frame, the technology, the “cool” factor of directing. They are obsessed with staying relevant and trendy in how they can cement themselves into the history of cinema at young age and be the next big thing. My case was no different and I spent a lot of time and money not truly understanding the narrative structure behind the stories I wanted to tell. I focused more on the emotions and individual moments or scenes but when strung together came out shallow or underdeveloped. I spent a lot of time and money culminating in a lot of failures. If I could do it all over again I’d start with being a good writer or at the very least understanding what made a good story. All of that will inform the framing, the performances, the direction in which you steer the massive ship that is a film production.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Mateo Márquez and I am a filmmaker based out of New York City with over 8 years of experience in the film industry. I first got into this profession in college after I was deeply moved after a screening of the Dark Knight Rises. Since then I wanted to tell stories and explore different facets of life through the moving image and sound. I have worked in production and post production for companies such as Light Iron, Warner Records, Pyramyd Studios, HBOMax, QuickFrame and other independent studios or artists. Currently I am represented by Laure Scott in the US for directing music videos. I also work with small businesses for their branded content pieces and other non represented indie artists. I collaborate with them to create a visual style for their business or music that is tailored to their overall branding.

My services cover everything from conceptualization and pre-production. All the way to post production and delivery of the final assets. Since I handle the whole process from start to finish, I believe what sets me apart is my personal connection with each project. Anyone who has filmed anything from small branded content pieces to massive Hollywood epics knows how much work goes into creating the final image. You give everything to the project and I believe that gives my clients a sense of my dedication and work ethic when it comes to their investment. This is probably the thing I am most proud of when it comes to my line of work. My clients are not just a paycheck or simply another person but truly my collaborator to tell the world their story. My job is to dreams of images in the simplest and most effective way in order to spread a product or message. Without that sense of camaraderie and trust the final product simply would fall flat. I am proud of that connection with my clients in order to make their ideas and concepts into something concrete that they’ll truly love.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being a creative, specifically as a filmmaker, is being able to dream of worlds alongside a group of other creatives. This sense of community to me makes the art much more powerful and realized. While ultimately it’s up to me, as the director, to sign off on all creative decisions, the projects are very much everyone else’s too. It is extremely rewarding to see the pride and self fulfillment in your crew when you are all making something special together.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal in my creative journey is to keep telling stories of people that do not normally get the spotlight they need or deserve. I would love to create empathy amongst different groups of people and by informing them of these stories, bring our humanity much closer together. Whether it’s through a narrative, music video, branded content pieces, or documentary; the power of a good story has the potential shake us out of our sometimes unfortunate communal apathy/indifference. That goal is what allows me to dream, to strive, to work harder each and every day. I bring that same commitment to my personal work and to the work of my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mateomarquezfilm.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mateo_marq/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateo-m%C3%A1rquez-9a3763125/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mateomarquezz

Image Credits
Kamila Latala Non Linear Knitting Jim Connolly