We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Noah Mortel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Noah below.
Alright, Noah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
I want to be remembered as a solid Christian man with integrity and morals and who was always there to help those in need. I want to be remembered as a light in this world full of darkness. Someone whose actions resonated more about my Christian faith than the words out of my mouth. As someone who always had a smile and could encourage others even though I had a cavity of sadness inside my heart. I know one day when I die I will have to stand before God and despite all my setbacks and disappointments, I push forward knowing I have to do the best with what God gave me. Life is short and we have to make the most of it.
Noah , 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 Noah Mortel. I was born in Marietta, Georgia to hard working Haitian Immigrants who instilled the importance of moral integrity, hard work, treating others as yourself, and education. I am forever grateful for all that they have done for me. While in my Junior year at Baylor University (Sic’em Bears!), I wanted to do a fun and creative type internship for the Summer. I applied to Mattel and Nike among others, but after not getting anything, I googled Baylor alumni in different creative industries and came across a Baylor alumni named Todd Deeken who connected me with HR at New Line Cinema (now owned by Warner Bros.) in LA. During that internship I worked on the Distribution and Marketing of films like Rush Hour 3 and Hairspray and even got to meet Chris Tucker and see Jackie Chan at the after party of the Rush Hour 3 premiere. I officially got bit by the film bug during that internship and knew I wanted to be in the film industry.
After graduating, I worked and saved up money and moved to LA working various jobs including production assistant work. I even gave Will Smith my cover letter and resume at his wife’s premiere. I then moved back to Houston and a few years later decided to move back to LA where I worked for a docu-series called Unsung and Unsung Hollywood. I worked on episodes including Babyface, SWV, and A Different World. Great experience and great people at that company. Although it was a great experience, I knew I wanted to write and direct but LA was so expensive so I decided I would move back to Houston and work full time and write and do my own projects.
Since being back in Houston, I have written two feature scripts and have written and directed a project called Karen in which an ignorant white woman and a naïve black teen switch bodies and if they don’t switch back, one of them will die. Currently I am writing the feature length script for it as it has started to garner interest.
I love creating stories that are entertaining and high concept, but cause real world positive change and unity among people. I want to continue to write and direct stories that help people. I thank God for all the challenges and lessons he has taught me through my struggles and I am looking forward to what God has in store for my life. I look forward to giving God the glory and praise in the biggest stages because I couldn’t do anything without Him.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Earlier on in the film industry journey, I had big dreams to write that special script that all the producers and companies would want and then sell it to the highest bidder. I had that Willy Wonka golden lottery ticket mentality when in reality, success is a process and a river with lots of turns, waterfalls, etc. I thought I was ready for the big stage but in reality I had a lot to learn. It takes faith, hope, patience, consistency, perseverance, and hard work.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
My main mission driving my creative journey is first to answer the calling I believe God has placed in my heart for His glory and also to help people and unify people through the stories I want to tell. There are so many stories within different cultures that can resonate with anyone and I want to tap into those stories that Hollywood doesn’t want to tell. I dream of one day sitting anonymously in a movie theater and hearing and seeing people’s reactions and conversations about a film. Additionally, I want to use funds from my films to anonymously help people if I hear of someone in need. I also want to fund affordable Christian schools and also fund centers and programs for people with special needs and Intellectual Disabilities.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @noahmortel
- Facebook: Noah Mortel
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/noahmortel
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user8046725