We recently connected with Rafael Gutierrez and have shared our conversation below.

Rafael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I initially aspired to be an actor on the Lizzie McGuire show but faced uncertainty about where to begin. After discovering an acting class, albeit a questionable one, my dad supported my journey by funding the classes, and my mom accompanied me. Despite the sc*m, I gleaned valuable insights, instilling confidence in pursuing a legitimate career in the film industry. At 12, my dad bought me my first camera, sparking a prolific period of filming various content, including short films, skits, and even Jackass-style stunts. This experience laid the foundation for my venture into high school video production, where I earned recognition as the most outstanding student. Leveraging this achievement, I successfully secured a production assistant role with American Idol, marking the onset of my professional career.

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.

Following high school, I pursued a college education in television and film, a pivotal experience that I deeply appreciate to this day. Post-graduation, a classmate marveled at my industry knowledge, prompting me to reveal my commitment to continuous learning. Spending 10 to 12 hours daily honing my skills through editing, video projects, and film consumption became my routine. Working in reality shows post-college bolstered my confidence, propelling me to produce my own content.

With a desire to direct, I embarked on creating short films, aspiring to enhance their visual quality. Faced with budget constraints, I taught myself cinematography. The improved quality of my projects garnered attention, leading to inquiries about my cinematography skills. As my reputation grew, opportunities multiplied in both the industry and independent projects.

My storytelling prowess, honed through writing five feature-length screenplays and 15 short films, allowed me to navigate sets not just as a production expert but as a comprehensive storyteller. A significant milestone was my first feature-length screenplay, written at 23, produced at 24, and now boasting over 2.8 million views on YouTube. This success solidified my professional standing in the industry.

Transitioning to cinematography, I worked on music videos for notable talents like T.I., Teyana Taylor, Queen Naija, Da Brat, LisaRay, Rich the Kid, Lotto, Flo Milli, Mike Epps, T-Pain, and more. This diverse experience has shaped my identity as a multifaceted professional known for storytelling and cinematography expertise.

I ventured into entrepreneurship with WeStory Agency and Wonton Grip and Lighting, leveraging these companies to provide essential services for diverse productions. My current emphasis is on expanding these enterprises by securing larger clients, particularly in government contracts and various content development opportunities, with the goal of extending our impact to a broader audience.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

My initial exposure to NFTs came during the initial surge in 2020. I found the concept intriguing, particularly the idea of unique ownership tied to digital assets. For instance, the notion of minting Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ album as an NFT, limiting ownership to a select few, and allowing owners to earn royalties from its success fascinated me. While I’m uncertain about the practicality of such a scenario, it sparked my interest. Since then, I’ve actively engaged with NFTs, connecting my crypto wallets to platforms like Drip and accumulating over 300 NFTs. I appreciate the sense of ownership they provide, and all my holdings are on the Solana blockchain, contributing to my enthusiasm for this evolving space.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivoting has been a recurring theme throughout my journey, requiring adaptation and growth each step of the way. One memorable pivot occurred during my college years when I found myself in a public speaking class, the only black student among a sea of white peers. This stark contrast to my upbringing in exclusively black educational environments – from elementary school to high school – compounded my existing insecurities about communication. Nevertheless, this experience served as a catalyst for personal growth.

In my career, my initial passion lay in directing movies. However, financial realities prompted a pivot towards cinematography. This shift was catalyzed by a colleague’s inquiry into the quality of my films, leading me to transition into the role of cinematographer. I immersed myself in mastering the technical aspects, working on major film sets, before pivoting once again, this time towards iPhone cinematography for social media influencers. Each pivot has brought new challenges and opportunities for learning and development.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.westoryatl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afilmdirector
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/afilmdirector
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afilmdirector?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/retweetrafael?s=21&t=lRNw4VFarUJVTZV1bdc6sQ
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MindfulBehavior?si=lPq-zI5R6qOR-t_e

Image Credits
Eliot Xavier