We were lucky to catch up with Esai Saenz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Esai, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My new series Elevator Money has been one of the most challenging and meaningful projects that I’ve ever worked on. Back in 2020 I was working as a freelance AC and Cinematographer. Obviously when the pandemic hit the film industry shut down and all of the jobs I had lined up vanished in the blink of an eye. After about 2 months of not having any work I decided I needed to make money somehow. So I started delivering Pizza’s for KC kitchen Pizzeria. The job was pretty dope. I got to learn the in’s and outs of Kansas City and I got to meet some… to put it lightly, interesting people. But it was a terrible job when it came to making money. Some nights I would make enough money off delivering to just cover the gas I spent to deliver the pizzas. But fast forward 2 years later to me trying to think of an idea for a series. That’s how the charter of Ricky Garcia, a pizza delivery boy who stumbles across half a million dollars in an elevator, came to be. What I didn’t know then that I know now, is how much inspiration I would take from those 2 months of delivering pizzas. Elevator Money would have probably never happened if it was for that time in my life.

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?

As far as my creative works go, I have a lot of them. I’ve always had a passion for music and film. I remember when I was about 6 or 7 I made an outstanding original song about having the chicken pox called “Nobody loves me because I have the chicken pox”. I agree it was a bit dramatic but my mom filmed me singing it on an old VHS camcorder and that was probably the first time I can remember wanting to film and make more songs.

In middle school I started my youtube channel and began falling in love with making funny skits and scripted videos. I honestly learned way more about filmmaking through YouTube than I did in film school.

Fast forward to today and I am a full-time cinematographer, actor and musician. As a director and cinematographer I’ve had the pleasure of crafting stories and film for brands such as McDonald’s, Barcroft Studios and Sustainable Harvest International.
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As a musician, I’ve opened up for the likes of pop superstar “Bazzi” and underground powerhouse “Futuristic”. I’ve also written songs for the major sync licensing platform Soundstripe.
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As an actor I acted in a Hawaiian Bro’s Super Bowl commercial that was broadcasted during the 2022 Winter Olympics and before Super Bowl LVI.
I also made my narrative acting debut in my new mini series “Elevator Money” which will be premiering at Screenland Armour on October 12th and will be making a festival run throughout 2023.

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

In my opinion the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is having the freedom to create and produce things how you want to make them. I’ve worked as a creative for agencies and clients and there is always so much chatter and onions on how you should create. A lot of times your work gets watered down because of other peoples egos, fears or discomforts. When you create for yourself the only thing stopping you is yourself. Your own ego, insecurities or fears. The good thing about that is you can always overcome those.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Yes. There are so many books and channels that have really helped me out throughout my journey as a filmmaker and creative.

Books
1. Happy Pocket Full of Money
2. Will

Youtube Channels
1. Wandering DP
2. Yes Theory

Also here are my favorite TV shows that I think everyone should watch
1. Community
2. Smallville

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.esaisaenz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esaisaenz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esai-saenz-9741ab186/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Esai
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/13esai

Image Credits
Matt Ogutu