We recently connected with Raul Baltazar Mendoza and have shared our conversation below.

Raul, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

My current role is getting to be the Film Director at my local church here in Fredericksburg, VA. Within my role and also freelancing for other video productions; I have learned that caring for people is a core principle of mine. In a world where everyone is looking towards getting ahead of others. We often lose sight of the people we are servicing. A phrase my team and I always say is, “People first, art second”. By this we mean that we will always put people over a process or an end product. I understand that if you lead with care and kindness to the people that have hired you for a project; the rest will come. We can always pivot during a production of a commercial, documentary, etc. But the words that you speak and how you care for others will leave a long lasting impact. I’m not denying keeping things professional and meeting expectations towards who you are servicing. I simply believe that the base of it all is caring.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Raul Baltazar Mendoza, and I am a filmmaker. I was born in Hidalgo, Mexico, but raised in Harrisonburg, VA. My love for filmmaking has always been a part of me, but I didn’t fully realize it until my time in college. I often found myself wanting to make videos instead of writing papers. It was during my internship at a summer camp in 2018 that I decided to take the leap into full-time filmmaking. I didn’t know what that meant at the time, and now, five years later, I can attest that it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Creating videos for brands, nonprofits, churches, artists, and more is an absolute joy for me. What I can bring to the table is the creation of pieces that truly connect with my clients’ audiences. I believe it’s easy to spot when videos don’t feel authentic. I take the time to understand what the audience would connect with and start from there. Whether it’s a testimony or a music video, each video should lead someone to take action. I firmly believe that understanding the action the client wishes their audience to take is vital in the creation process.
My main focus currently is telling the stories of those who have overcome adversity. Stories hold immense power because they not only give identity to the individual but also to the brand, company, etc., that they represent. It’s easy to say, ‘we give back to the community,’ but my goal and job is to show your audience how that actually happens in the most authentic way possible. The power of storytelling can lead to real human connection.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Growing up in Mexico and then moving to the US at a young age, becoming a filmmaker, producer, or director of photography were not aspirations I initially had. The most realistic goal was to secure a job that paid well, regardless of the nature of the work. I was raised by a single mother, and her work ethic is what inspired me to dream for more. Initially, I thought my path might lead me to become a businessman in a suit and tie. However, my first accounting class in college made me feel like I wasn’t being true to myself. I realized that I could start my own business, but the thought of punching numbers or clocking in and out seemed dreadful. My dreams of building a life that provided for my family were starting to crumble.

There were many days when my mom would come home from her second job, and I could see her unhappiness. She would say, ‘Yo quiero una vida mejor para ti’ – ‘I want a better life for you.’ My mom wanted a better life for me, and that was the whole reason we came to the US. Taking the risk of pursuing a full-time creative journey was daunting. It would have been safer to work as an interpreter, teacher, or some other job. My life’s goal isn’t to become rich or accumulate accolades; it’s to build a life full of joy and provide for my family. Filmmaking has allowed me to do just that and so much more.

My mom wanted a better life for me, but she had already given that to me from the moment I was born. She passed away in February of 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while she was in Mexico, and I was here in Virginia. It’s because of my mom that I am the husband, filmmaker, and person I am today. I strive to love and care for people as she did.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I have always believed that people don’t remember the exact words you tell them; what they do remember is how you made them feel. Most, if not all, of my clients have come from recommendations by previous clients. While my work is of high quality, it would be of no benefit if I myself were not enjoyable to work with. I know this because I hire people who are genuinely easy to work with. So, why would I not provide the same experience to those who hire me?

Marketing yourself, not just for your art but as a person, is essential for a creative. Because whether I like it or not, what I am creating for my clients is not mine alone. Therefore, my art cannot speak for itself. Word-of-mouth references have led to countless opportunities, and they would not have been possible if I were not kind.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_raulb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@_raulb
• Other: email : [email protected]