We recently connected with Israel Marquez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Israel, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I have always been an artist since I was a kid. But really wanted to be a film maker. But unfortunately, the means to do that was not available to me at the time. As technology advanced, I was able to purchase video cameras and start practicing my art. I would start by taking shots from my favorite films and recreating them using my cat Simon as my actor. You know it’s more than just turning the camera on and shooting. I taught myself angles, lenses and how to use different sizes and lighting. Once a had a grasp of the camera I went on to editing video. I learned that in the editing process is where the birth of your film happens and it’s amazing to watch that baby grow. But to me the most essential skill would be sound recording. You can have amazing footage but if your sound is bad then the whole film will be bad. So even to this day I purchased the best equipment for capturing sound and really spend more time on set capturing it right. The obstacle that I come across the most is acquiring the right location for my film. I think it’s just the region I live in. this area is more of a sports area so it’s really tough to get locations sometimes. When learning the craft, I would really put myself is difficult situation. By doing that I would have to become really creative to get myself out of those situations and that has followed me all the way to the present. Looking back now I don’t think I would change anything about my journey.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I remember the time I decided I wanted to be a film maker. I was six years old and A movie called The Car came on television. I was just so amazed by the story and effects that I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Now I am heavily influenced by heroes Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino and Alejandro Gonzalez. I Write, Shoot, Direct and edit all of my own films and I continue to find new innovated ways to tell my stories. I started in the entertainment industry at the young age of 6 years old. My first experience was as a professional break dancer in the early 80’s. After winning countless awards and contests I earned my way to perform on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show. I then became high demand and started touring with the biggest acts in Hip Hop during the Fresh Fest tour. I danced for artists including Run DMC, L.L Cool J, The Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, UTFO, Curtis Blow and many others. I then started to look at other options in music and began to teach myself guitar. While learning guitar I began to learn BMX stunts and tricks and soon started winning contest and putting on BMX trick riding shows at local water parks and festivals. I went on to become an amateur and professional boxer throughout my teens and early 20’s. In early 2000 I decided to try acting and started working as an extra on the hit T.V show Walker Texas Ranger. It wasn’t till then when one of the camera operators took the time to explain what a DP does and how the camera works. That day would change my life forever. I went home right away and began to research film making. For the next 6 years I became a student of film. It wasn’t till 2010 when I shot my first short film Haley’s Angel and began to win many awards. Since then, I have shot 10 films and have won over 56 awards, and I continue to pursue my film making goals. I love deep dramas. I think I will stay in that genre. I put a little of my life in every film and I feel drama is where my home is.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My main goal is legacy. One day when I’m gone, I want to leave behind something that will resonate and inspire many people ling after I am gone. It’s important to me to leave a positive example.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe in making films that everyone can relate to. Subjects that resonate with the audiences. By doing that I have been able to be very successful at film festivals which was a big part at building my reputation.
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Israel Marquez