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

Lucia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

I once was hired for a job to take over for the Production Designer that had another commitment for the last day of shoot and I was helping her the previous days. I remember getting to set and talking to her for 5 minutes before starting our day, after that she just trusted me to be working with her without doubting my decisions or questioning me every step of the way (something that had happened to me before). I remember her telling me I have to do other stuff so if you are okay with it, you take over being on set by the monitor and I will prep the next thing. She gave me such a big confidence boost and it was such an important moment for me that someone with more experience was trusting me and was so grateful and happy with my work.
She became my mentor and friend and now whenever we can we work together and I have the opportunity to learn and grow with her.

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

My name is Lucia Castejon Lopez (Lucia Lopez), a Production Designer from Madrid, Spain. I
am currently based in Los Angeles, CA. After pursuing my degree in Audiovisual
Communication at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Complutense University of Madrid),
I landed in Hollywood at the New York Film Academy looking for a hands-on program that would
help me further expand my knowledge in filmmaking.It was here where I found my spot in the
Art Department as Production Designer being able to create the visual style and believable
environment that supports the story.
What was supposed to be a job to help a friend became a transformative incident that led me to
shift and solidify my focus as a Production Designer. The commitment to authenticity and
meticulous attention to detail is something that I am always looking forward to pursuing in every
story that I tell. I continuously look forward to the challenges that the work brings with it, making
me keep learning and innovating every step of the way. In addition, the power of teamwork,
leadership, efficient work and adaptability allows me to craft compelling visual stories that
resonates with the audiences.
My journey has been both challenging and rewarding, learning the importance of embracing
diverse perspective to enrich the creative process and immerse myself in diverse cultures and
narratives, ensuring that each project reflects its unique essence.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working on numerous projects in which I have
been able to bring my work philosophy (hard work, efficient work but remember to have fun) to
make it possible. One of my highlights has been my role as Production Designer for “Rift,” my
inaugural feature film. The project presented the unique challenge of authentically depicting a
story set in India, a culture initially unfamiliar to me. Through extensive research and
collaboration with local vendors, I successfully recreated the Indian setting, enhancing the film’s
realism. One of the most ambitious tasks was constructing a traditional cottage in the jungle
using hay, grass, and bamboo. Overcoming communication barriers and logistical hurdles, I
executed this vision seamlessly, earning admiration from my colleagues on set.
Every project has allowed me to grow as a Production Designer, every challenge has been an
opportunity for growth, pushing me to innovate and refine my craft. Through my work, I aim to
bridge cultural gaps and tell stories that resonate universally. I am committed to creating visual
narratives that not only entertain but also foster understanding and empathy among diverse
audiences. My journey reflects a dedication to authenticity, creativity, and the transformative
power of storytelling.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think for me what illustrates my resiliences has always been the silent battle everyone has with mental health, in my case I´m talking about my battle with impostor syndrome for example. Sometimes we are the ones that make the way even harder for ourselves but being able to get past that and say this is me, this is my work and I can do this

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think for all of us telling stories our biggest reward is being able to deliver what we have to say and what we want to say to the audience. Seeing the end product is simply amazing because there is months sometimes even years of work behind each story even if its a short film. So being able to see what you envisioned and that part of you in the big screen and being able to see other people enjoy it and step into the world that you have created is the most rewarding feeling.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucia.clopez/