Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Seth Imperial. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Seth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

It all started when I was four years old, I went to the movies with my family all the time. I remember watching “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and I immediately fell in love. I became obsessed with the vast worlds they created, how big they were, and how much they suspended reality. I ultimately knew that this was something I want to do. I saw movies as an opportunity to escape from the world and do anything I want. So I started to create. I made YouTube videos, wrote cringey scripts, and made my friends audition for the roles. It continued as a hobby until the end of 8th grade. There was a school assembly about a multimedia academy at a vocational high school. I applied, got in, and immediately began to work. I had the chance to work with more professional equipment and programs, and I learned how to not only write, but to tell and stylize my stories and scripts. With every project I got to build my skills, learn more about myself, and use it for the next one. I loved it. I knew that filmmaking was the path for me, and now I get to live my childhood dream and pursue it professionally.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Seth Imperial and I am a Filipino NJ/NY-based film director. I attended and graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA in Filmmaking where I was able to wear multiple hats on set, from cinematographer to assistant camera to gaffer and grip. I am now freelancing for both film and commercial work with companies such as Amazon and CBS.

I started to pursue filmmaking out of my passion for creating, especially directing and storytelling. I make narrative films that take the lessons and feelings I have experienced and apply them to a world that serves as an escape from reality. Whether the story follows a government experiment that allows you to travel into your past memories or a convenience store with a time-loop problem, the films I make showcase who I am and what I’ve learned. My goal is to allow the audience to escape into my work and relate to it in their own way, even after leaving the theater.

As I am navigating my way through this industry, it is very easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of what’s true to me. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted. I am constantly learning new things everyday, not just as an artist, but as a person. “Hard work and humility” is what my dad always told me and I strive to live by that, especially in my filmmaking journey. My passion and talents, along with the fortunate support of my family and friends, allows me to seize any opportunity that comes along. I know I still have a long way to go, but I am proud of how far I’ve come and who I am today.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

There are so many things I want to accomplish in my creative journey. I want to touch hearts, inspire others, and create a name for myself, but one particular mission is driving my journey: my parents.

I remember having a random conversation with my dad one night. We started talking about my career, he then hassled me with questions, and we ended up bickering with each other, you know just a regular dad convo. In an attempt to move forward, I go, “It’s okay, Pa, don’t worry. Half my Oscar’s speech is dedicated to you anyways.” Then suddenly, the words I thought I said so casually struck his heart deeply and he began to cry. I barely see him cry so it took me aback. He then explained that my appreciation and love meant so much to him. I was truly inspired and motivated.

My parents have done so much for me and my three younger brothers. They have given us nothing but love and support for what we do and I want to give back to them. When things get rough, they always pick me back up and inspire me. They inspire me to work hard to achieve my goals, be a successful director, and share my stories with the world. I want them by my side on this journey because they are the reason I’m on it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

For those not in the creative field, the struggle to understand the uncertainty of earning a living from it, especially in the beginning, is real. These past few years have been really eye-opening for me in terms of finding consistent work, especially with the strikes that are currently happening in the industry. Balancing college with a retail job meant less time for the sets I wanted to be on. I can’t imagine what it’s like on an even bigger scale. But after leaving that behind, I found myself on sets regularly, doing what I love and connecting with incredible people along the way.

Not only has it been a physical journey, but it’s been a mental one as well. Going from a packed schedule to months without work makes you question everything while you wait for the next gig. There’s no structure and you have all this time to yourself. But I realized that time is just as valuable and finding that balance is a journey on its own. So I took the liberty to keep on creating. I have all this experience, passion, and drive I could not let get to waste. Along with working these gigs, I started creating in different ways from making YouTube videos for my personal account to streaming on Twitch. I even started journaling my thoughts and feelings and who knows, maybe it’ll be a movie one day. Making a living is not just about making money, but living life to the fullest. Yes, there will be those days where you’re feeling lost and down, but if you have the passion, drive, and especially patience, you will overcome it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sethimperial19.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sethimperial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethimperial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK-PiWir9Jzu6gD11HVikjQ

Image Credits
Steven Jacobs Nur Guzeldere Richard Cruz