Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paloma Carpio Marion. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Paloma, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
One of the main reasons I became a filmmaker is to bring forward more stories that multiple audiences can relate to. Growing up as a Peruvian woman, I found it challenging to see diversity represented on the big screen. When someone who looked like me did appear, they were often confined to the usual archetype—a one-dimensional character whose diverse characteristics were too frequently used as punchlines to jokes. While it’s now 2024, and the scope and diversity on screen have improved, there is still much progress to be made. As a Producer and Coordinator, I want to connect with other diverse filmmakers who also seek to tell stories about their own underrepresented groups. In today’s world, visibility is more important than ever, and I am committed to being part of meaningful projects that shine a light on voices that have been ignored for far too long.
Since coming to the United States, I’ve sought out like-minded filmmakers to collaborate with. I remember the first project I undertook at Columbia College Chicago for my Cinema and TV Production class. I immediately connected with a fellow international student from Brazil, and together, we discussed our journeys, obstacles, frustrations, and anxieties. From these conversations emerged the idea for our final project: to explore our own sense of identity as students in a foreign country by connecting with other international students and having our shared experiences expressed through text read in multiple languages from around the world. This project marked my debut as a producer in the US and laid the foundation for how I approach projects as I continue to grow in this role.
Today, I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to accomplish that objective. Throughout these past years, I’ve been involved in the production of numerous stories with diverse creators. In 2022, I served as the Production Manager and Production Designer for a beautiful LGBTQ+ love story. The film is centered on an immigrant from a post-Soviet country who invites his conservative sister to the ceremony, and struggles between trying to keep his roots and or giving up on them to build his love connection with his Latino partner. In 2023, I began collaborating with another international student whose views on diversity and representation aligned with mine. Together, we’ve worked on his past two projects for his company, Cinema Inclusion, which focuses on telling stories featuring Indonesian characters. Additionally, last year, I had the opportunity to serve as a Production Coordinator for a Spanish feature film as part of their US unit. Being involved in this project, with the task of facilitating communication and translation between the US and Spanish crews, was especially meaningful to me. It allowed me to experience how film and cinema transcends languages and nationalities. Together, we were all able to create an amazing queer rom-com, with a crew that spoke 3 different languages.
These projects hold immense significance for me, each teaching me something unique. I am excited about the change we are bringing to the future of the entertainment industry, whether it’s in the diversity we see on screen or the diversity and representation among the filmmakers behind the scenes. Every member of the crew contributes those little details that make a huge difference.
Paloma, 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?
My journey started in Lima, Perú, where I was born and raised. Ever since I was little, I felt a deep connection with the film and entertainment industry. I don’t think I can pinpoint one exact film or series that made me be like “That’s it, that’s the one”, because honestly, I feel like that connection has always been there and something that got stronger with every piece of media that I encountered. My family played a significant role in this passion. I have fond memories of watching movies with my dad and sister every weekend, as well as bonding over TV series during the weeknights after my dad came home from work. However, my curiosity extended beyond what was on screen; I was fascinated by the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking and craved to understand every detail that brought these stories to life.
As I was about to graduate high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in film and television. I knew I had incredible talent, potential, and the ambition to accomplish great things; the only thing I didn’t know was where. Film and TV education was fairly new in Peru. There were only a few courses that could teach you about audiovisual production, and you could only find them under a Communications degree. A full education in the United States is very expensive, especially if you are not a US citizen, so I decided to enroll as a Communications major at the Universidad de Lima, where I immersed myself in every film-related class available, but I yearned for more comprehensive training. This led me to explore the possibility of transferring to Columbia College Chicago, renowned for its film program and vibrant art scene. After convincing my parents of my dedication to a career in film, I applied and I was accepted with the Columbia Excellence Award Scholarship.
My first semester was not easy at all. It was a big change. I had never been alone and far away from my family and friends. It was also January 2021, and the threat of COVID-19 was still looming, which meant having to make friends on Zoom. However, I seized every opportunity to immerse myself in student projects, eventually earning my first credit as an Art Director for the highest student productions, ‘One Of Our Own.’ This project was interesting because we were not allowed to shoot anything on location and one of the scenes was a flashback to a 1970s Vietnam Jungle. We had to build everything on set, with just a construction team of 10 people due to the pandemic preventions for safety. It was a challenge, but we managed to present a full set that we were all proud of. This experience set the stage for my involvement in numerous advanced projects throughout my time at Columbia. Even though I was concentrating on Producing, I sought to gain hands-on experience across various departments, equipping myself with a comprehensive understanding of filmmaking. This was something extremely valuable that made me grow exponentially as an artist and my capabilities in production.
In January 2023, I moved to Los Angeles to participate in my school’s Semester in LA program. The classes were given at the Sunset Las Palmas lot, where they have shot a lot of my favorite shows such as “I Love Lucy”. While taking classes, I also had the internship of my dreams at Legendary Entertainment as part of their TV Physical Production team. Here, I had the privilege of contributing to a company that had developed projects I deeply admired, such as “Paper Girls”, “Lost in Space” and the “Dune” franchise, and I got a deeper understanding of the fast-paced environment of the studio, the pre-production process for animation, and live-action shows that were filming internationally.
I graduated in May 2023 from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and TV concentrating on Production. I finished my studies with the highest distinction and an exceptional body of work. Since then, I stayed in LA where I got the chance to be part of amazing projects. I worked on my first feature film as a Production Coordinator with a Spanish film company. We shot in amazing locations such as Area 51 or the Las Vegas Strip. I also started working in TV and Digital series, in both studio lots and locations.
I am very proud of my journey so far. I’ve accomplished things very few recent graduates have, and it is all due to the sacrifices and unique experiences that have shaped my skill set that will only continue to grow with every project. My mission remains the same: telling and being part of stories that reflect different cultures and that highlight the beauty and challenges when different traditions come together.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
As an international student, representation and diversity serve as the cornerstone of my creative journey. I am deeply passionate about being part of stories that authentically reflect the richness of different cultures and illuminate the complexities of cultural intersections. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate on various films with creators from diverse backgrounds, working on scripts in various languages.
Witnessing the impact of films like “Blue Beetle,” “In The Heights,” or “Problemista” fills me with immense pride. Seeing characters and stories that resonate with my own cultural experiences reaffirms the importance of representation in media. Even something as simple as recognizing familiar names in the credits inspires me to continue pursuing my creative endeavors.
My ultimate goal is to create projects that evoke the same sense of pride and connection in others. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and representative entertainment industry.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Absolutely. One of the key resources I wish I had discovered earlier in my creative journey is the power of community. When I first relocated to the US, I experienced a profound sense of isolation. It was my first time away from family and friends, and I struggled to find a sense of belonging. It wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles that a friend recommended attending a networking event hosted by “Nosotros,” a Latino arts advocacy organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering Latino talent in Hollywood.
Engaging with other Latinos in the industry at these events provided me with a newfound sense of support. It was comforting to connect with others who shared similar struggles and experiences, and I could finally speak Spanish with them. Discovering this community in Los Angeles was incredibly valuable, but I wish I had known about organizations like “Nosotros” from the beginning of my journey.
As an international student, I encountered unique challenges that few could relate to. During my initial years, I often felt alone in navigating these obstacles. However, through organizations like “Nosotros,” I found a network of individuals who understood my experiences and were eager to offer guidance and a supportive environment. If I had this since the beginning, I would’ve had invaluable support and guidance, making my transition into the creative industry smoother.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palomacmarion.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palomacarpiom/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/palomacarpiomarion