Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cindy Maram a Filmmaker, Fashion Model & Actress. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cindy, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve worked on various film projects over the years and there are a few highlights and very meaningful ones that come to mind. The first of which would be one that I have discussed time and time again, and that is our Max feature film “Women Is Losers”, which was released October 25, 2021. The film, which I served as a producer on, has some of the most talented actors, such as Lorenza Izzo, who I actually met at Sundance Film Festival 2015 on the red carpet for her film “Knock, Knock” that she starred in opposite Keanu Reeves, as well as Chrissie Fit, Simu Liu, and Bryan Craig, and the talented and creative writer, director, producer, one of my friends that I collaborated with on the film, Lissette Feliciano. I was with the film from the very beginning and to see it grow from an idea to script to screen was an amazing thing that I will hold in my heart and mind forever. Not everyone gets that chance to be a part of a feature film and let alone, work with a team of star actors and see it launched on a top streaming platform. It was a wild, enjoyable and unforgettable ride! I was also along for its award-winning festival run beginning from the movie’s premiere at SXSW 2021 to its Hollywood red carpet premiere at TCL Chinese Theatres at the 2021 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival through to the 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival, which my production company IN Close Entertainment hosted and sponsored in which the film won the Audience Award. All our friends and family came out to support the movie and event. The post-screening reception was sponsored by Waiakea Water, which my good friend from high school, NFL Alumni, Jon Nielsen, who runs a lifestyle marketing agency and works with various professional athletes and brands, sent cases of the volcanic beverage to the festival.

I also worked on the psychological thriller and drama “I Am Normal”. I worked on “I Am Normal” as Producer and Publicist. I tend to naturally do PR for the films I produce, because I have a lot of knowledge about media and public relations having worked in the film publicity field for so many years. So, it’s been a natural role and progression into the public relations arena. So, to take on that extra title and responsibility and to represent the talent tied to the films I am working with has been a natural fit.

Although I have always enjoyed working behind the camera, I have always felt drawn to work in front of the camera as well. Throughout my life I have also found myself either modeling for photographers for fashion photoshoots, as I have modeled in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and in Europe. Further, I’ve acted on stage and been auditioning for roles recently for films and commercials.

I’ve trained with different acting coaches over the years, both online and in-person, here in Hollywood and really enjoy the process. Growing up in Los Angeles many of my closest friends were actors on primetime TV shows and starred in studio movies, as well as in commercials for big brands. I grew up around the Hollywood film community and have lasting friendships in Hollywood.

Most recently, I’ve completed writing two short film scripts. The first is “The Photoshoot” a dramatic short film, with the main character being a young model, which focuses on topics of women’s issues, as well as mental health and wellness. It aims to combat stigmas surrounding mental illness and questions the mental health system. It is a narrative that I wrote in a course at UCLA at the start of the pandemic. The second script, “Verified Hustler” was actually written outside of a structured classroom setting, but was an idea I had for awhile. The dramedy was inspired by a TV news report that caught my attention and has to do with social media influencer culture.

Cindy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and Southern California. I am half Chinese and half Caucasian. From an early age I had been asked to model by department stores and photographers, but my parents, who were conservative business people never felt comfortable with that sort of attention, so they sheltered me from that until they could not anymore. I began modeling when I was about sixteen for various photographers in Los Angeles, Orange County and internationally, as well as did some promotional modeling for special events. I also did some on stage acting in plays for my church and community, and did some acting training in classes. Many of my friends from school were Hollywood actors in primetime television shows and commercials. I socialized with them on the weekends and went to Hollywood parties. I was a part of what one of my closest actor friends calls the Hollywood Rat Pack–but a more recent one. I kept all of that part of my life pretty low key and private.

I was always academically sound and an intellectual, since I come from a family of academics, business people and college professors with an Uncle who was a tenured professor at the very university I attended. I was “famous” for my last name on the first day of class even before saying a word. But I did live up to my last name and graduated at the top of my class both in my undergraduate and graduate degree. I completed graduate work in Mass Communications and Cinema & Television Arts and went onto work in corporate marketing, video/film in Silicon Valley. I worked for Google HQ & YouTube HQ, NVIDA and TiVO, over a few years, while running my global Hollywood film industry side-hustle on my spare time and after hours.

I have two brands, Dig IN Magazine and IN Close Entertainment. Dig IN Magazine, a website I launched back in 2008, is a publication surrounding entertainment, celebrity, fashion, arts and sports. It has a YouTube Channel, “Dig IN Magazine Celebrity Interviews” in which I interview and film A-list celebrities, filmmakers and public figures on the red carpet and beyond at film festivals and movies premieres. I travel the world throughout the year to Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, etc. I’m also a film festival partner and sponsor. It’s a lot of traveling, but it’s really fun and rewarding. Through this experience, I’ve done a lot of networking with various filmmakers and actors.

A few years ago, I started IN Close Entertainment, my social, PR and production agency. I now attend film festivals as a filmmaker, not only as a media professional with Dig IN Mag, to conduct interviews as a member of the press. So, over the years, a lot has changed and things have grown and evolved in a positive direction. I am now writing scripts and making films. I’m still doing everything that I love, but have just added a little more to my plate and resume. All growth in a vertical direction I believe is good.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

It is important to me in my creative journey to keep growing and improving and to continue creating and developing projects that matter and have an impact on the world.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative has largely to do with experiencing and enjoying the creative process and journey, collaborating with your team, building lifelong relationships and friendships along the way, as well as the the beautiful satisfaction from working hard to create your original work of art or as a filmmaker, that which is a script or finished movie. I also enjoy the overall strategic planning process, as well as creative writing that goes into developing a film script.

For me, the creative process and the journey towards your final destination is as rewarding as the finished product. Both are highly valuable. So, remember to enjoy the process and value each step along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.cindymaram.com , http://www.diginmag.com , http://www.incloseentertainment.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cindymaram
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cindymaram ; http://www.twitter.com/diginmag
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/diginmag

Image Credits
Images courtesy of Cindy Maram Images of Cindy Maram walking the Cannes Film Festival 2023 Grand Theatre Lumiere, Palais des Festivals Red Carpet with photographers & on the Cannes famous Red Steps – Photo Credit: Paul Smith/Feature Flash Group Photo: (L-R) Isabelle Du, Cindy Maram, Nikki Soohoo — Cindy Maram attends the American Pavilion with WeAudition’s “Ones to Watch” Actresses Isabelle Du and Nikki Soohoo during Cannes 2023. Filmmaker, Cindy Maram, on the famous Red Steps of the Grand Theatre Lumiere, Palais des Festival, at Cannes Film Festival 2023, attends the Marche du Film representing her film production company, IN Close Entertainment. Cindy Maram on the top of the Red Steps of the Cannes 2023 Grand Theatre Lumiere, Palais des Festivals, wears an elegant, cropped black dress with sheer sleeves, gold heels and accessories, walks the red carpet and attends the premiere of “Flowers of the Killer Moon” by Martin Scorsese starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Producer Cindy Maram attends Palm Springs Short Fest 2022 representing “I Am Normal” short film.