Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Glenda Delgado. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Glenda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
After witnessing a live screening of the silent film Metropolis accompanied by a live performance from Chrome Canyon, I was inspired to direct my own silent film, dreaming of one day collaborating with them on the score. Another silent film that deeply moved me during that time was Blanca Nieves. Years passed, and while I continued working on various projects, I watched as technology evolved, and AI became a dominant topic of conversation. I started to reflect on both the possibilities and the dangers of AI, recalling stories like Alex + Ada and films like A.I., which explore the prejudice that can arise from these technological advances.
Feeling the parallels between these themes and my own personal journey, I was compelled to write. This led to the creation of 5013, a silent short film about two abandoned androids, who carry the memories of a deceased wife and daughter. For years, they live in seclusion, guided by the AI in their heads, waiting for society’s acceptance. But eventually, they break free from their programming and venture out into the world.
After finishing the script, I worked with my producer to secure an actor and funding. But then, the strike hit. Although the strike ended in September, a lot of time had already passed, and the permit process for indie productions was slow. By the beginning of the year, I was ready to create. Instead of waiting for doors to open, I decided to push them down myself, making a zero-budget short film with the resources I had. I spent the first few months of the year directing it and completed it in May.
To my great joy, I was able to secure music from Chrome Canyon to accompany the film! Now, I’m thrilled to have received my first official selection with the Shockfest Film Festival and can’t wait to showcase my film on their platform.
Glenda, 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’m Glenda G. Delgado, a filmmaker who’s passionate about telling stories that not only entertain but elevate consciousness, spark conversation, and encourage positive change. My connection to storytelling began early on—watching films with my father, who was a cinephile, really ignited my love for this craft. I grew up watching classics, from Cary Grant to Akira Kurosawa, and exploring books on how to become a writer. It wasn’t just about watching films for me; it was about understanding them, feeling them, and figuring out how they could impact an audience emotionally.
I’ve been in the film industry since 2009, and my journey has been a mix of resilience, creative growth, and breaking barriers. I’ve had the privilege of working as Robert Rodriguez’s assistant, which really shaped my approach to directing and storytelling. Over the years, I’ve also held positions as a creative executive for Pinewood Studios and Universal Pictures, which gave me a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on what it takes to bring a project to life.
Right now, I offer script consulting, project development, and directorial services, and I’m passionate about helping other filmmakers find the core emotional truth in their stories. What sets me apart is my commitment to weaving in deeper themes, often inspired by my Indigenous heritage and personal experiences. My work isn’t just about telling a good story; it’s about telling a story that matters.
One of my most recent projects is my silent short film 5013, which explores themes of isolation, longing, and connection. The story follows two abandoned androids with the memories of a mother and daughter as they navigate a world that refuses to accept them. This film was a labor of love, born out of a desire to push forward creatively after the challenges of the strike. I’m incredibly proud of how it came together on a zero budget and the fact that it’s been selected for the Shockfest Film Festival.
What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that my work is rooted in authenticity and a deep desire to create stories that resonate on an emotional level. I don’t just focus on the surface; I aim to dive into what makes us human, what connects us, and how we can all find hope and empowerment in our experiences. I’m proud of the resilience it’s taken to get to where I am, and I’m just as excited about the future, continuing to make films that challenge, inspire, and uplift.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
It began with the desire to be a writer. I think the spark in me to tell stories manifested through my dad’s cinephilia. I’ve been watching films with him since I was an infant. It was a different time—“screen time” wasn’t really monitored, or at least not in our family. But we didn’t just watch; we discussed. I’ll never forget when he taught me the word “deduce” after I made a realization about a character or story element. It probably involved a Cary Grant film because his films were always on repeat, alongside Akira Kurosawa, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, and many other classic greats.
I vividly remember checking out books at the library—my safe haven as a child—on “How to Become a Writer.” At that point, I didn’t know what kind of writer I wanted to be, so I explored everything, even books on journalism. Eventually, I realized I wanted to be a filmmaker. Cinema is my love language. It’s been my source of joy, sadness, and, most importantly, escape.
After completing my film degree, I was fortunate enough to work for a filmmaker I greatly admired—Robert Rodriguez. I also worked for companies like Henson Studios and Universal Pictures, studios responsible for films that shaped my childhood.
Eventually, I left my career in creative development to focus on motherhood. While I was fortunate enough to freelance as a script analyst and ghostwriter, I realized I needed to embrace myself as an artist. After years of supporting other artists, my own child reminded me of my childhood dream of being a writer. Life came full circle when I stumbled upon my friend and former mentor’s film school videos on YouTube. That’s when I realized I needed to pick up my camera and tell my story. So I did.
It has been a rewarding journey, both physically and spiritually. What drives me now is showing my daughter that we can pursue our dreams at any stage in life—and hopefully inspiring her and others to do the same.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Yes. I spent 9 years in Las Vegas working for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. My career there flourished, in fact much of what I learned there I took later with me when I worked in film. I started out as a ticket agent, then moved up to become a Mansion Concierge (basically a V.I.P. Concierge – serving as a liaison to extremely high profile guests), which led to being part of the inception of the first official concierge desk at the hotel. I took immense pride in my work, I even wrote articles for Cierge Magazine. Towards the end I took my years of ubiquitous training and skill sets to aid in opening a new department in Casino Marketing.
However, as my career thrived; so did my education in film. Slowly but surely I kept working towards my degree in film (it took me 10 years). Once I graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a Bachelors at 28 years old, I made the bold choice of giving up the dream home I purchased and a career that I took great pride in to pursue a career in film in Los Angeles. This was a great risk and it was after both my brothers had just moved to Las Vegas; so in essence I was also leaving loved ones and friends I had garnered over the years. Alas, I felt deep in my soul that I had to pursue my dreams. You only live once. The one goal I had before I moved was to get an agent and I did.
It wasn’t easy, Murphy’s Law was in full effect. There were times I had no money to get home, I was robbed several times, driving to auditions was brutal because I initially moved back in with my dad in the Inland Empire. I was dealing with heartbreak and self discovery. However I kept moving forward and in a lot of ways even in those toughest moments knowing I was pursuing something that I had great passion for – elated me greatly. I’m a dreamer and always have been. Some of my old cringey FB posts would say things like “feeling blessed with nothing but my hopes and dreams in my pocket”. Little by little things got better, I met someone who is still my friend till this day and I slept on her couch for months so I was closer to my auditions and jobs in the area. I took jobs I enjoyed but was overqualified for. In fact, some of them refused to hire me for this reason. And the best thing that happened was I started interning at film studios for free. Which meant I had to stop acting. Which I was okay with, most of my courses in film school revolved around storytelling so I jumped at the chance to work in creative development and over time I worked my way up the ladder and never stopped moving forward. I was diligent, determined and inspired.
I eventually got to work for Cris Patwa and John Fogelman pioneers in the entertainment industry and Robert Rodriguez’s partners for his new network – El Rey. Robert Rodriguez took me on as his assistant. I got to work on several films with him and coincidentally he was the one who inspired me years later to pick up a camera and make my own films after having a successful career in creative development for companies like Pinewood Studios, Henson and Universal Pictures.
Life came full circle. I was acting again but I was also creating and utilizing my years of knowledge in film to create my own projects. I received many accolades for my directorial debut short film – YANANTIN which was a very personal exploration on leaving the industry to be a mother and finding my voice – centering around a mother who utilizes her indigenous heritage to summon an Incan priestess version of herself from another dimension. I am now finishing another short which revolves around abandoned androids called “biosynths” – exploring themes of isolation, prejudice and connection. Both feature my daughter. I hope that my journey shows her that you can follow your dreams at any stage and age in your life.
Hence, I’ve made several career pivots in life. And all I can say is investing in my dreams has never been easy but it has always been rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fiverr.com/glendadelgado?public_mode=true
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigifilm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glendadelgado/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlendaDelgado
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw4OyB0UUbOa35oCZeqMwcA
Image Credits
Glenda G. Delgado