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

Gabe, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve been interested in film since I was a child. In Middle school, I worked a job on the weekends at a small flea market. Every dollar earned was saved towards buying my own camera. I began making films and at that time had to make “in camera” edits meaning I filmed the pieces in sequential order. I didn’t have access to editing equipment or education so I worked with what I had. Eventually, I participated in my High School’s film program and later pursued my Media Studies and Production degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

As much as I learned in those educational settings, it wasn’t until I began working in community media that I truly began to learn and hone my craft. I started as an intern at Philadelphia’s Public Access TV and Radio station, PhillyCAM. There, I was able to participate in the most diverse productions and workshops – learning from people from all different backgrounds, lifestyles, ages, races, religions, you name it! At PhillyCAM, anyone can walk in and become a media creator. It is a non-commercial space that operates under freedom of speech – so everyone is welcome.

There, I learned from people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I built connections and cultivated a community that I helped support and would support me in return. Throughout my experience before PhillyCAM, I’d often been faced with toxic productions. Most productions were mostly male and my kind, positive attitude was seen as weakness. In fact, my mentor was once told I was “too nice” and that is why the production company didn’t hire me. An absurd comment that I’ve used to fuel my passion and move me forward.

Working with my community on pieces that matter, covering issues in our neighborhoods told by our very neighbors most affected has been a beautiful experience. Having those connections has been the most important part of growing my career.

For nearly a decade, I’ve dedicated myself to championing filmmakers and creators throughout our city—a role that brings me immense joy. My tenure at PhillyCAM has connected me with creators of all levels, fostering an environment where anyone, regardless of experience, can learn how to create media, and then make it. Guiding these individuals has been both a privilege and a passion, and I carry the lessons learned from my personal work back to them. As an indie filmmaker, I’ve embraced the challenge of crafting compelling content with limited resources and support. The journey has been immensely rewarding, with my films making waves in festivals across the nation.

I have been able to expand my skills into sound design, podcasting, and journalism thanks to my connections at PhillyCAM. I would highly suggest that anyone wanting to learn about media-making to look up their local public access station and become a member. It’s an underrated but important resource!

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 am a nonbinary, Latine, Philadelphia-based multimedia creator specializing in the horror genre. My work focuses on dissecting horror media, exploring the real world influences behind our cinematic fears. Horror exists on the fringe of genre work and with that comes a freedom of expression we don’t often find in other genres. Horror can be used for catharsis: to share, bond, and heal from societal and personal trauma. I work to blend horror and comedy, two genres that rely on tension, to drive their narratives. Central to my artistic vision is the reimagining of traditional horror tropes. I strive to subvert stereotypes, often placing women and non-binary characters in both heroic and villainous roles. Through this lens, I challenge preconceived notions and empower marginalized voices within the genre. I am captivated by cultural storytelling and am working towards building narratives around folklore, reframing monsters as symbols of empowerment rather than fear.

As the Member Programming Manager at PhillyCAM, Philadelphia’s Public Access TV and Radio Station, I’ve dedicated nearly a decade to empowering my community through people-powered media. My role revolves around equipping filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and skill levels with the necessary tools and knowledge to bring their visions to life. For me, filmmaking is synonymous with sharing—be it truths, fantasies, dreams, or fears. It’s a communal experience that unites us.

Additionally, I am the producer and co-host of “Ghouls Next Door,” a media literacy show centered around the horror genre. This program educates and entertains audiences, equipping them with helpful media literacy tools and compendiums that inspire them to watch films with intention. This project has also provided me with the opportunity to direct, write, and act in three films.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In this age of rising AI woes, I think it is incredibly important now, more than ever, to place value on real artists. We need to understand that AI and technology like it can never embody the most integral part of art and creation, the soul. We need to uplift artists who are doing the work and pay them for that work.

I am a huge advocate for creators and feel strongly that there are so many stories out there – and we, sadly, do not get to see them all in the sunlight. We often center the same stories, people, and ideas – resulting in repetitious, boring, and uninspired film. Like a garden, we need to rotate the crops or else the soil will dry up. For me, this means amplifying the voices of independent filmmakers and a more critical look at the media that already exists. Media literacy is needed now more than ever, we need to understand the impact of media. This includes representation on screen but also behind the camera. Who’s stories are we pushing to the front? Who haven’t we heard from? The world is a rich tapestry full of culture, experiences, and life – let’s learn more about that world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I believe in the transformative power of media as a catalyst for social change, and much of my work is dedicated to democratizing these tools for all. In all of my roles as Programming Manager, Journalist, Filmmaker, etc, my main goal is to uplift and empower. Stories are powerful and we need to hear more of them. I am a FAN of people. I get absolutely excited by people’s stories, drive, and passions. So I work to amplify and advocate for those stories and people. Media can be a powerful tool that can invoke empathy, compassion, understanding, and inspiration. It can be a cathartic tool for release or an invigorating tool that incites justice. It can be a beautiful thing to share your dreams, thoughts, hopes, and pains with an audience – then have them resonate with those thoughts. It’s humanizing and connecting, inspirational.

Contact Info:

• Website: theghoulsnextdoor.com and gabedrcastro.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theghoulsnextdoor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaberosinskicastro/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiNP07V2qbiCE8s94ocq4yQ?view_as=subscriber
• Other: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2SvgkIwjQMHfy87bJjPPRH?si=b8b9771d4efb4e81

Image Credits

n/a