We recently connected with Enrique Batiste and have shared our conversation below.

Enrique, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Well, it’s several different things that has been my constant teacher throughout my journey. I went to film school, spoke to numerous friends and colleagues that were already in the business, read, watched videos you name it. But, the most effective teacher and I tell people all the time, is experience. Going out there and doing it. Learning from your mistakes. Seeing what works for you, what doesn’t. Just getting out there in the field and getting those scars. Me jumping out there just doing projects I wanted to do would’ve sped up my learning process tremendously. In the beginning I think I just wanted everything to be so perfect with everything that I ended up just waiting for certain things that I could’ve just went out and done myself. The most essential skills would have to be experience, passion and drowning yourself with as much knowledge as possible in any and every way. It’s the film industry so obstacles is practically part of the job description. But, once I figured out that this is what I wanted to do, what I was going to do and put myself in the position that this is what i am doing… absolutely nothing stood in my way.

Enrique, 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?

I got into the business by sort of forcing myself in. I had a few friends that did/do music.I essentially went from filming performances to there music videos, promos etc. That was my initial in. We have a few businesses, Raw Work Films which is our production company, we also have The Raw Work shop which we provide some of the dopest merch you will ever get from a film production company. So much so it stand as it’s own entity. We are currently shopping a few scripted series, in pre-production for our series “D’EVILS” and currently working on a Apple TV show. Having a lot going on gets extremely challenging, it gets hard to give attention to certain projects which pushes dates back etc. We are looking forward to expanding within the next year to assist with managing the overall work load as well as giving opportunities to those that want to enter this industry. Our company can handle all of your visual creative needs from creating an idea to shaping that idea into the most exciting project for your story. I believe our uniqueness comes from our perspective on how we tell our stories. We are 100 percent committed to making sure each project is a real experience in some way. What I’m most proud of is just staying driven, not giving up, not being comfortable. Always pushing to level up, take things further, bigger, better.

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

You’re able to be 100 percent yourself. As a director, writer you get to provide these stories that are pieces of you. It’s an expression that in times help certain viewers. Your able to make people cry, laugh, get angry, you know… provide these emotions that hone in on certain topics of life.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

By doing just that. Actually supporting them and supporting them loudly! Continue to encourage them to keep being creative, to keep going. You can hear a million no’s but it only takes one yes to change your life or situations. Do it for you ! It should be fun, it should be something your comfortable with and enjoy doing. Continue to create more creative events that get them exposure, helpful critiques.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.therawestwork.com
• Instagram: @mrglamwork , @rawworkfilms