We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniel Zambrano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Daniel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

The inception of OHOS Media stemmed from a glaring gap I observed in the US film and advertising industry. After a decade of directing commercials for globally recognized brands like Pepsi, Gatorade, and Volvo, I became acutely aware of the scarcity of top-tier talent with Hispanic backgrounds in the American market.

As a Colombian filmmaker based in New York, I recognized the untapped potential of exceptional Latin American artists and the increasing demand for diverse perspectives in US productions. This realization sparked the idea for a company that could effectively bridge this gap, playing a universal role in enriching the US industry while simultaneously elevating project quality by incorporating talents from culturally rich countries.

OHOS Media, whose name is a play on the Spanish word for “eyes” (ojos pronunciation), was founded with the mission of bringing fresh perspectives to every project. Our goal is to connect the best Hispanic talent with US productions, thereby fostering a more inclusive and creatively diverse industry landscape.

Moreover, we’re actively opening new pathways for US productions to film in Latin America. Through our network of trusted partners, we ensure top-quality production services across various Latin American locations. Our commitment to excellence is unwavering; we only engage in projects where we can guarantee the highest standards of quality and professionalism.

The logic behind this venture was clear: by leveraging my experience in both the US market and my understanding of Latin American talent and production capabilities, we could create a unique synergy. This approach not only addresses a market need but also contributes to the creation of more nuanced, culturally rich content while offering cost-effective, high-quality production options in Latin America.

Ultimately, OHOS Media aims to be more than just a service provider. We aspire to be catalysts for change in the industry, promoting multilingual productions, diverse viewpoints, and cross-cultural collaborations. By doing so, we believe we can significantly enhance the quality and relevance of projects in an increasingly global media landscape, while also providing US productions with exciting new opportunities to create world-class content in Latin America.

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?

I’m Daniel Zambrano, a Colombian filmmaker and director now based in New York City. My journey into the film industry started early – I grew up around film sets thanks to family connections in production. As a kid, I was mesmerized by the magic of filmmaking, even appearing in a few commercials myself. But it was a particular experience on set at around 12 years old that really set my path. I realized then that I wanted to be the person behind the camera, the one directing and creating the stories.

My passion for film has been the driving force behind my career. I’ve always been deeply inspired by directors who push the boundaries of storytelling and visual aesthetics. Filmmakers like Alejandro González Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuarón, Wong Kar-wai, Michael Haneke, Xavier Dolan, and Spike Jonze have had a profound impact on my artistic vision.

While my roots are in cinema, I’ve developed a genuine passion for commercials. I see them as an opportunity to tell impactful stories in a condensed format, blending artistic vision with strategic communication. This fusion of cinematic storytelling and commercial objectives has become my specialty.

I studied Audiovisual Media at the Politécnico Grancolombiano in Bogotá, followed by a master’s in Creative Writing at the National University of Colombia. However, my real education came from hands-on experience. I started working at a production company called Kiru Spots while still in university, doing everything from running errands to assisting on sets. This led me to LAMUVI Films, one of Colombia’s top production companies, where I worked my way up from editing to assistant directing, and finally to directing.

After about two years of directing commercials in Colombia, I decided to take a leap and move to New York City. It was a challenging transition, but it allowed me to expand my horizons and work in a global market. Now, I run OHOS Media, a company I founded to bridge the gap between top Latin American talent and the U.S. market.

At OHOS Media, we offer a range of services including filmmaking, creative direction, color grading, VFX, and animation. What sets us apart is our access to top-tier Hispanic talent and our ability to bring fresh, multicultural perspectives to projects. We’re not just a service provider – we’re a catalyst for change in the industry, promoting multilingual productions and cross-cultural collaborations.
I’m most proud of the growth I’ve experienced since moving to New York. The industry here operates differently – from the bidding process to production schedules – and adapting to these changes has made me a more versatile and efficient director. I’ve worked on major campaigns for global brands, directed content for a global perfume brand, and I’m currently developing my first feature film.

For potential clients and collaborators, I want them to know that OHOS Media is all about bringing fresh eyes (hence our name, which plays on the Spanish word for eyes, “ojos”) to every project. We’re committed to delivering high-quality work that stands out in a saturated market. We understand both the U.S. and Latin American markets, allowing us to create content that resonates across cultures.

Lastly, I’m always open to connecting with passionate, talented individuals. Whether you’re a creator looking to break into the U.S. market or a client seeking a unique perspective for your project, OHOS Media is here to bridge that gap and elevate your vision. We bring the artistic sensibility of world-class cinema to every commercial project, ensuring that each piece we create is not just an ad, but a memorable story.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Looking back, I wish I had known more about the business side of the creative industry, especially in the U.S. market. As a director, my focus was always on the artistic aspects of filmmaking, but running OHOS Media has been a crash course in entrepreneurship.

I’ve had to figure out a lot on the fly – how to create and run a competitive business, build a brand from scratch, pitch to potential clients daily, and always have that elevator speech ready. It’s been a constant process of adjustment as the company grows. These are all aspects of the industry that weren’t really on my radar when I was solely focused on directing.

One crucial lesson I’ve learned is the importance of viewing each project, whether it’s a commercial or a feature film, as a business venture. It’s not just about creating great art; it’s about creating sustainable art. This means understanding budgets, marketing strategies, and how to keep a company afloat even when big projects are in development.

I also wish I had known more about the intricacies of international business operations. Moving from Colombia to the U.S. wasn’t just a change in location; it was a complete shift in how business is conducted. Understanding things like visa requirements, international tax laws, and the nuances of contracts in different markets would have been incredibly helpful early on.

Networking is another area where I wish I’d had more resources or guidance. In New York, and the U.S. in general, your network is crucial. I’ve learned that it’s not just about who you know, but about building genuine, long-lasting professional relationships.

Lastly, I wish I’d known more about the importance of personal branding for directors and creatives. In today’s digital age, how you present yourself and your work online can be just as important as the work itself.

All of these business aspects are things I’m still learning and refining. But if I had known about their importance earlier, I might have been able to navigate some challenges more smoothly. That said, figuring it out as I go has been an invaluable learning experience, and it’s shaped OHOS Media into the adaptive, resilient company it is today.

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

At the heart of my creative journey is a desire to challenge the status quo in visual storytelling. I’m driven by the belief that great stories can come from anywhere, and that diversity in storytelling leads to richer, more impactful content.

One of my key missions is to dismantle the invisible barriers that often exist between different markets and cultures in the film and advertising industries. I want to create a fluid exchange of ideas and talents across borders, particularly between Latin America and the U.S. This isn’t just about bringing Latin American talent to the U.S. market; it’s about fostering a two-way street where creativity flows freely in both directions.

I’m also deeply committed to pushing the boundaries of what commercial content can be. There’s often a perceived divide between “artistic” and “commercial” work, but I believe this distinction is outdated. My goal is to bring the depth, nuance, and emotional resonance typically associated with indie films into the world of advertising and branded content.
Another driving force in my journey is the desire to explore how emerging technologies can enhance storytelling. I’m fascinated by the potential of VR, AI, and interactive media to create more immersive, engaging narratives. Part of my mission is to stay at the forefront of these technological advancements and find innovative ways to incorporate them into both commercial and narrative projects.

Ultimately, I’m on a quest to redefine what it means to be a director in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape. The lines between film, advertising, and digital content are blurring, and I see this as an exciting opportunity. My goal is to be a versatile, adaptive storyteller who can move fluidly between different formats and platforms, always focusing on the core of what makes a story compelling, regardless of its length or medium.

In everything I do, I’m driven by a desire to create work that not only entertains or sells but also provokes thought, challenges perceptions, and perhaps, in some small way, contributes to positive change in our increasingly interconnected world.

This mission extends to my current passion project – developing my first feature film based on a Colombian novel. This endeavor allows me to bring an authentic Latin American story to a global audience, embodying my goal of bridging cultures through cinema while staying true to my roots.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ohos.nyc
• Instagram: @ohosnyc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohos-media/
• Other: Daniel Zambrano Instagram: @danielzambranofilm
  Daniel Zambrano´s website: www.daniel-zambrano.com
  Daniel Zambrano´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-zambrano/

Image Credits

Photographer Carlos Sanfer and Lourder Aguilar