Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alfonso Algara. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alfonso, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.

I believe that people start their adult lives with many doubts and uncertainties. And, although there are exceptions, we are faced with the obligation to choose a path at an early age, even before we have tested our abilities. The reality is that as we accumulate more experiences, it is more likely that we will have a clearer vision of what we want to do and our capacities. The system we live in forces us to choose a career that will have a lasting impact on our lives: our social circle, our reputation, our social position, and our economy. Many people spend most of their lives paying off their education, and the majority of them chose their career without any idea of what they were capable of. A large portion of these people ends up changing careers and pursuing something completely different from what they studied, but their decision will mark them forever.

If there’s something I would change about the education system, it’s that young people should have significant experiences in various industries. Real and practical experiences that allow them to make decisions, work with mentors, and explore the positive and negative aspects of different careers. Make it mandatory for young people to explore at least 5 industries before making a university and career decision.
We know that humans learn 70% of what they know through experience, and the closest social circle can greatly influence the path we choose. Having more real work experiences would help eliminate careers that do not require 4 or 5 years of learning and allow us to focus on those that require a broader theoretical knowledge and connect us with people who share our interests.

This would help us make more informed decisions, discover our abilities and strengths, and above all, not start our adult lives burdened with student debt.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Alfonso Algara is a distinguished videographer, director and musician. Known for his extensive work in creating music videos, commercials and sports features.

He embarked on his career as a self-taught videographer in 2015, creating music videos. In 2016, he moved to Los Angeles, where he directed his first major project for the group Freefall Rescue with the song “Lemons.” Shortly after, he directed and produced a sports feature for ESPN for the Pan American Games titled “Sueños en Vela” (Dreams in Sailing).

Since then, Alfonso has worked on audiovisual projects for renowned brands such as the United Nations, PEPSI, Facebook, Trulive, Carnival, Chef Adrianne, Wild Fork, Wynwood Brewery, Banco Industrial, The Cloud One Hotels, LIV Watches, and Grupo Mariposa. He has also directed two animated projects for ESPN, along with various other music videos and fashion projects.

In 2022, Alfonso began working on the most important project of his career, “Las Amazonas de Yaxunah,” a documentary feature film for ESPN, which will have its world premiere at the Los Angeles International Film Festival (LALIFF) this summer, followed by its debut across ESPN platforms during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Born in Guatemala on October 5, 1985, Alfonso began his musical training at the age of 17 at Angelica’s Rosa Academy in Guatemala. At 19, while pursuing his musical studies, he also studied business administration at Rafael Landivar University. In 2007, after performing in two musical theater productions, “Evita” and “Wicked,” he received an invitation to continue his musical studies in Mexico. He attended Felix Greco’s Academy and later focused on classical singing with soprano Rosa Maria Diez at the Bellas Artes Institute of Mexico City.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Definitely, my life has been marked by changes, and today I understand that those changes have made me someone much more adaptable and flexible.

I heard that one is truly free when we have the ability to deviate from the path traced, and that has been my way of understanding life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I was born in Guatemala, and at the age of 10, we moved to Honduras. Then we returned to Guatemala when I was 15. While I was studying Bussiness Administration, at 22, I moved to Mexico to continue my music education. While in Mexico, I worked selling cellphone protectors, and selling curtains and wooden floors. I also registered a logistics company and a restaurant for an investor. Then, at the age of 31, I started making videos for my music career. That’s where I discovered that everything had happened to prepare me to be a better leader and a better video director.

I have accumulated experiences that have made me grow as a person and inevitably as a professional. All of this has shaped my adaptability, which I believe is one of my greatest strengths today. Having worked in so many industries has given me practical knowledge that I use in all aspects of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alfonsoalgara.com
• Instagram: @alfonsoalgara
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alfonsoalgara
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfonso-algara-1426ba3a/
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/alfonsoalgara
• Other: https://www.vimeo.com/alfonsoalgara

Image Credits

ESPN deportes