Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marlon Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Marlon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?

The film industry is a very gatekeeper-y industry. One where the phrase “it’s not about what you know, but who you know” summarizes who gets to work within it and who does not. This approach is extremely problematic for some groups, including underrepresented communities, given that the industry has historically been white-dominated. However, efforts by many people are starting to change the narrative. Being a part of one of these communities, I began to consciously be aware of who I was giving opportunities to. It became a goal of mine to provide opportunities to those in my community and those who have not had the chance to do what they love. The film industry is hard in and of itself, and being excluded from it because of your nationality, sexual orientation, or whatever else is not acceptable.

Marlon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Marlon Rubio Smith and I am the owner of MXR Films, a production company that offers film, videography, and photography services. I started doing film work early in school but it was not until I was accepted into The University of Texas at Austin to major in Radio/Television/Film that I took it seriously. During college, I worked on 90+ film sets, specializing in cinematography and producing when not directing. Now, I continue working under my company, making music videos, short films, corporate videos, social media work, and more! With a deep understanding of the platforms used today and the creative and technical proficiency that the MXR Films team has, we can help clients unleash their potential and become more.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

One of the most important things for someone who does video is owning a good camera that allows you to take high-quality video. Since video is what I ultimately wanted to do, I used a DSLR that my parents had to take headshot photography for those who needed them. After spending one-year doing multiple photoshoots, I was able to save enough to buy a great video camera. This goes to show that you have to use what you have to start in order to get what you really want.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media and creating a brand identity were extremely important to me starting out. Being part of Gen Z, I have used social media since age 12. Therefore, I have grown up along side the evolution of these apps. So, when seeing what others in college were doing with their portfolios and/or creative pages, I knew I had to step up my game and post consistently to stay in people’s minds. My advice is: just post. Things will and will not work, but it is the fact that you stay active and relevant that matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mxrfilms.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mxrfilm
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/102771737/admin/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3BSySHwQLWSX6vs3bFgl8KIA%3D%3D
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mxrfilms

Image Credits

Matthew Alexander