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

Alright, Dani thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I truly believe everything happens for a reason and in its own time. I grew up in a very scientific family. My mom is a doctor and most of my relatives are engineers, so that path felt natural for me. I was good at numbers and biology, so when I moved to the US from Venezuela, I started studying biomedical engineering on a pre-med track.

I stuck with it (barely, lol) for two long years, but I eventually realized I wasn’t happy. My ambition started to feel like I was living someone else’s dream, not mine. That’s when I slowly started drifting toward film. I made it my minor at first, and then, still lying to myself a bit, I added it as a second major. Two years into college, I went to my advisor in the engineering school and told her I wasn’t happy. I said film scared me, but it was what I truly loved. She looked at me and said, “Dani, the sky is the limit.”

That was the moment everything changed. I dropped biomedical engineering and committed fully to film school.

It has been, and still is, a beautiful journey because it came from a place of genuine wonder, admiration, and passion for the craft. I wouldn’t have started earlier because many of the skills I gained through engineering still help me as a producer. I learned how to approach problems, find solutions within constraints, and stay organized.

I was meant to do it this way, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Dani, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Dani Orlando. I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to the United States in 2016. Film has always been part of my life, but it wasn’t until I started college at the University of Miami that I truly fell in love with storytelling and production. My Venezuelan and Italian roots give me a unique perspective on how to approach a story with both heart and structure, and how to build something meaningful from the ground up.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication, majoring in Motion Pictures and minoring in Spanish. I’m currently pursuing my Master of Fine Arts at the University of Southern California. Over the years, I’ve worked on a wide range of projects including feature films, short films, documentaries, music videos, and branded content. I’ve collaborated with companies like ViacomCBS, Paramount, Discovery Kids, Nickelodeon, Walmart, and Univision, among others.

As a film producer, I am involved in every stage of the process. From the first spark of an idea to assembling the crew, planning the shoot, troubleshooting challenges, and guiding the project through post-production, I am there to support the vision and bring it to life. Each project I work on feels like a little child I help bring into the world.

What I love most is connecting with people on set. Filmmaking is a collaborative art form, and working with passionate, talented individuals inspires me to grow and give my best. I don’t think I have a favorite project, because each one is special in its own way. It is the connection and the sense of complicity with the cast and crew that I treasure the most.

What sets me apart is the care and dedication I bring to every project. I value people just as much as the product, and I believe that building trust and communication is essential to making great work. I want clients, collaborators, and audiences to know that when I commit to a project, I give it everything I have. I am proud of the work I have done, but even more proud of the relationships and creative communities that have come from it.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the connection. There is something incredibly special about taking an idea that once lived only in your mind and bringing it to life in a way that others can feel, relate to, and be moved by. I love the intimacy of collaboration and the shared vision that comes from working with a team where every person contributes something unique.

As a producer, I get to be involved from beginning to end. I help shape a story from scratch and support the team through every phase of the process. Seeing something come together and knowing I had a hand in making it happen is deeply fulfilling. I love being the person who holds the space for others to shine while making sure the whole project moves forward.

In the end, it is not just about the final product. It is about the journey, the problem-solving, the relationships, and those little moments of magic along the way. Knowing that something we created made someone feel seen or inspired is what makes it all worth it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My nonno always believed that knowledge is power, and I carry that with me every day. Right now, I’m in my “learn from the greats” chapter. That’s a big part of why I chose to pursue my MFA at USC, even after working in the industry for over five years. I believe there is something really special about being in a space where you are constantly challenged, inspired, and surrounded by other filmmakers who are just as passionate as you are.

The faculty at USC is incredibly knowledgeable and accomplished, and I knew I could not miss the opportunity to grow under their mentorship. My goal is simple: to keep getting better at what I love. I want to sharpen my craft, collaborate with people who push me creatively, and keep making work that feels honest and impactful.

At the end of the day, I just want to live this funny, unpredictable, beautiful life that sometimes really does feel like a movie.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soydaniorlando/