Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Garibay

Hi Gregory, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

My creative journey started when I was about 12 years old. Besides using my dad’s old Sony VHS to film skate videos with my friends, [got in trouble for that when he saw the footage of us wrecking a neighbors stairs] my dad bought our first MacBook pro as the house computer. I just started opening all the apps to see what they do and then I opened imovie. I barely knew what editing software was at the time yet alone a MacBook seemed like only something you see on TV or movies. Then Santa [my mom] gifted me a Flip HD camera for Christmas and I started recording dumb action comedies with my friends in middle school that I edited together. That eventually lead to the idea to create a video for a class project then before I knew it, I was in high school known as the video guy; continuing my video project ritual [easy A] while also shooting and editing things for the school. Fast forward through film school, I studied Directing & Cinematography while working as a freelancer and doing all kinds of film related and non film related jobs. I learned a lot and made many friends and connections at film school but it was that, combined with real life practical experience shooting as a freelancer, helping others and creating for fun with friends that gave me the knowledge and friendly connections I have today. Now I am gearing up to make my directorial debut of a short film followed by my first feature also written by yours truly and I have my friends making them with me so I couldn’t be happier. The story is still unfolding.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It hasn’t been a smooth road. I had to drop out of college/film school my Sophomore year because I couldn’t afford to go anymore. I thought my film career would take a major step back but I never lost hope. The new goal instead of graduating was to work and save enough to put myself back. I started working full time, but I already connected my early non-film school friends and my newer film school friends which lead to the creation of a film team that I was heavily involved in, so I was working full time at different jobs then filming with my buddies after. It was actually during that time with the team that I began to teach myself how to operate and use a camera. I began falling in love with the art of Cinematography and had a sense of direction in what I wanted to do in filmmaking besides directing. I then put myself in community college to get my associates degree out the way so when I go back to film school I wouldn’t have to pay for their expensive basic courses. Unfortunately college is expensive as hell and even more unfortunate we aren’t rich. My parents wanted something more practical for me than the film industry like the military or something besides what I was doing. I wouldn’t hear the end of it sometimes. At this time I began working as a freelance videographer because I had enough knowledge in shooting and editing that I could be a one man team. So that’s where the real life practical experience came from. Fast forward a couple years to 2020, I am back in film school, learning hands on then covid hit so there went that. Thankfully there were some accommodations as regulations loosened but we still lost a lot of valuable hands on info. A year later, still in school, I was rear-ended in a car accident leaving a shoot which injured my back and caused me to not be able to work as hands on as a student, grip or on the camera dept. for industry sets which I was counting on to help me advance in the business. I graduated that year and job searched while turning down work that was too straining for me. It was another major set back but I wasn’t going to let it stop me. I adapted and now focus on my Writing and Directing which allowed me to pivot in a better direction of where I need and want to be as a filmmaker. It’s never going to be a smooth road unless you get everything handed to you but even those people have their own bumps in the road. Sometimes these struggles build character and happen for a reason.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I am a currently primarily a Writer & Director. My other main qualifications are Editing and Cinematography. These days I like to write original stories and adapt them into scripts that I can turn into films and direct myself while working as an editor, cinematographer, cam op or photographer for others. I specialize in all these titles having worked multiple jobs as such throughout the years of my professional career that I have garnished a reputation of being known as such. “Film guy, Director, Filmmaker, etc.” I like to think I’m known for doing it well. I’m most proud of my body of work. I have created so many things with so many people and I love them all. They’re captured memories in my life shared with the world and numerous collaborators which have made big impacts in all our lives so that’s something to be very proud of. The body of work is still growing as am I as a human so this answer will change I’m sure, but that’s the first answer that comes to mind for now. I’m no different than anyone else, I just found something I love and I’m working hard following that desire to make films. The saying is “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life” as cliche as it sounds, it’s true.

What does success mean to you?

I define success by accomplishing goals and feats you set for yourself. For example, my goal was to be a filmmaker so I had to make films so now technically I am a filmmaker. Success! But, now I want to be a better filmmaker so I’m challenging myself to do so and when that happens, Success! Yeah it’s easy to technically be successful sometimes but without a pursuit for a cause, there’s nothing to be successful about. It’s a step by step climb that never ends. But that’s cool because you have so many chances to win and fail. Mind you, It’s ok to fail, failures lead to other successes. It’s also defined in the eye of the beholder. Everyone’s idea of it can be different. In a way I’ve found part of it already doing what I love but not yet at the caliper I know I can become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shotbybay.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shotbybay/?igsh=MWFleG9waTB6NXF5MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYcOl3doJwFqQTz0arh9SUw