We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabriel Mouritzen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabriel below.

Alright, Gabriel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In March I finished my short film, Cosa Nostra, a film about two ex-gangsters who, after getting away with the last job, are left asking themselves “what’s next?” as they attempt to return to their normal lives. Growing up, I’ve always loved mafia movies. They’re fun, brash, and full of hard-hitting drama. There’s such a unique aura around these films that’s always drawn me in. I’ve always wanted to make something in this genre, but I wanted to tell it in my own way. The most famous trope of the mafia/gangster genre is the cliche of “the last job.” In many of these films, the main character(s) decides to leave their life of crime after recognizing how it has negatively impacted their lives and the people around them. So, they take on one last job, mission, or heist before they’re out in the clear. However, many can automatically assume that this attempt fails. These criminals either end up in jail, dead, fleeing the country, or ratting on their gang. In short, it never goes well. But, what happens when it goes right? What happens when you get away with it all and you attempt to return to normalcy?

At its core, this film is about change. The fear and uncertainty that comes with change is a universal feeling. This film is about the feeling many people experience after a large piece of their life is gone or now completed (e.g. new job, graduating, a break-up, death of a loved one, etc.). When this thing is done or this person is gone we are often faced with attempting to ground ourselves again. We can regress to what we know or embrace the unknown future ahead of us. So when two mobsters finish their life of crime will they regress or will they embrace their new life?

I’ve had several experiences in my life where I’ve felt this type of indirection; my project is finished, a relative passes away, I’ve just ended a relationship, or, most recently, I graduated from college. You feel still in time and you don’t know which way to go. Going forward offers promise and new opportunities. Going back offers comfort and ease. This is an idea I’ve tried to get across for a while and I’ve known that I wanted this to be the central theme of one of my films. And, like I mentioned before, I had been itching to make a mafia movie. I wanted to pay homage to the genre while also putting a twist on its biggest trope/cliche: trying to get away with finishing “one last job.” I’m telling this story because it feels authentic to me. I love this genre and I’ve pondered over this topic for quite some time. I am deeply concerned with these two subjects and I feel that I believe I’m the first person to have the idea to put them together.

I’m in the process of submitting my film to festivals and, as of today, I have already won best student crime short at the IndieX film festival. After my festival run is complete, my goal with this film is to turn it into a feature-length film. I’ve been working on the outline for the real script and I think I’m now in a good place to finally get started on this project. The short film was already a behemoth of a project. It cost just over $10,000 to make and hundreds of collective hours from me and my incredible crew. Creating this proof-of-concept has prepared me to take a crack at the real thing and I’m ready to see where this film takes me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into filmmaking when I was just in 7th grade. I was taking a science class and I wasn’t doing too well, but my teacher saw that I was really putting my best effort forward. After seeing a video I made for a project, he offered that I could earn extra credit by making more videos on different science experiments. So, needing to pass this class and looking for an excuse to hang out with friends, I grabbed my iPad and put together a video with a few of my friends. After it was done I had never felt such pride and joy. It was the time of my life. This eventually became an almost weekly occurrence. I’d go to my friend Joe’s house with some buddies and we’d crank out tons of videos.

This passion grew as I went through high school where I founded a production team with other classmates and peers. We started creating content for weekly live-streamed video announcements that were played to the school every Thursday morning. I started making short films, music videos, sketches, and birthday videos for friends. All of this eventually led to my acceptance into Loyola Marymount University’s prestigious film program.

Through the skills I have developed since I was just thirteen years old and the real experience I gained at LMU, I have successfully been a freelance filmmaker for the past six years. I’ve worked on a variety of content ranging from music and dance videos to commercials and promotional content. Currently, I provide a range of services including the following: editing, graphic art and design, photography, marketing, capturing events, and full video production.

What I believe sets me apart from other freelance filmmakers is my allowance for the client’s voice throughout the entire process. From pre-production to post-production, I consistently ask for feedback and insight in order to get the perfect video that my client had envisioned all along. They are truly brought along for the ride. I also ensure that these videos will have a personal touch that strays away from conventional, and, often detached filmmaking. In an oversaturated media market it is important that your content not only utilizes current trends but also evolves beyond them. Because why fit in when you can stand out?

When it comes to my work, I feel that I’m most proud of my ability to bring people together to make something amazing. In an industry where every frame is a testament to collective effort, I firmly believe that our greatest achievements are born from collaboration. Let’s work together to craft something that resonates, for it’s when we join forces that we truly flourish.

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

I find that the most rewarding part about being a creative is the feeling of excitement you get when all of the pieces finally come together. When it comes to filmmaking, most of the work is done in pre-production so when you finally arrive on set, you’ve already done all of the hard work. It’s almost like baking. You spend so much time preparing ingredients, mixing them together, and pre-heating the oven. But once it’s in there, you’re just waiting for it to finish on its own. There’s no greater feeling than when you’re on set filming the last shot of the last scene of the film. You’ve spent so much time, effort, and money to get to this point that it feels earned.

I used to say the most rewarding aspect was when the project was finished and people are finally watching it, and, while that does feel great, it means that the thing that has consumed my life for the past however many months is done. It doesn’t exist anymore. I love living in that moment when it all comes together. It’s like “I’ve been running through this marathon for a while now and there’s still more to go, but I’ve caught my stride and I’m feeling confident.” It’s all about the process – the journey – and not just the destination

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The only thing driving my creative journey is my love for the craft. There is nothing more I’d want in life than making a living by making films. I don’t want the money or notoriety or praise. I just want to keep making things. When I’m at school I wish I was in my room writing or editing or when I’m at work I wish I was on set making something with a bunch of other filmmakers. While I do set goals to make this dream a reality, my only particular goal is to make something that I love and that hopefully, other people do too. The best feeling in the world for me would be to one day have someone tell me that I made their favorite movie – that what I make matters to someone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://everythingivedone.com/
• Instagram: @gabemouritzen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-mouritzen-907058313/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemouritzen/featured