We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Quentin Pistol a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Quentin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always had a lifelong passion for the arts, and my path to discovering my true calling has been a fun journey! From dreaming of attending La Guardia High School for art in middle school to pursuing music in high school, it wasn’t until college when I journeyed to the Peruvian Amazon and documented the ayahuasca tourism industry that I fell in love with filmmaking. But after college, the harsh reality of debt and bills hit me, and I struggled to find my footing. I juggled various jobs and felt disconnected from myself. But one thing remained clear- I had to follow my calling and pursue a creative path that would allow me to both make a living and express myself. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing since. It’s been a liberating and fulfilling journey, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

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’m a proud New Yorker with a colorful mix of French, Puerto Rican, and German roots. I get a kick out of creating fun and captivating short films, experimental pieces, and documentaries that explore cultural identity and sustainability.

Since filming my first doc in the Peruvian Amazon, I’ve had some exciting adventures that include interning with Killer Films, and Melody London. And now I offer video production and marketing services for fashion, beauty and hospitality brands.

My goal with Junk Media is to create short form content related to diversity, sustainability, and social justice, and bring brand loyalty by connecting with the audience in a genuine and meaningful way. As a company, we support the underdogs, the outcasts, and those who feel like they haven’t had a voice. Plus, we’re super passionate about exploring themes that express the interconnectedness of human, plant, and animal life, and how we must work together to sustain life on earth.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe there are some awesome ways the US Government can give more love to our artists and creatives. We can start by offering free or super affordable education, which would be amazing! We could even provide tax rebates on supplies, offer low-cost healthcare, and create more protections for housing. Many brilliant artists in NYC have had to deal with being in and out of homelessness due to COVID and a crazy housing market.

Artists face a lot of stress when it comes to paying for education, healthcare, and housing, which makes it tough to focus on creating. We need to think about what’s important to us as a nation and how art contributes to our society. The value artists bring to the community is not always easy to measure. However, we can better understand how artists reduce crime and mental illness in communities to help appreciate their value even more.
It’s a complicated issue, however, we could begin by taking a moment to think about how we benefit from art and culture in our lives. Then, by finding better ways to measure their value, we can create policies that accurately reflect their worth and the role they play in our communities.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.quentinpistol.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quentinpistol/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quentinpistol/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quentin-pistol-b96a9680/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/quentinpistol
• Other: www.junkmedia.nyc

Image Credits
Barbara Gabrielle Megumi Toyama