We recently connected with Vanesa Moreno and have shared our conversation below.

Vanesa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I recently rewatched my short film Let’s Make Jam that I made in 2021. The fact I made a short film during the pandemic is a win within itself. We followed guidelines and restrictions and made it work. My producer Ashley Dean was amazing to work with and was truly a person I could count on while making this film. We crowdfunded over 3k in donations to make this film happen. We used our resources wisely and made a short independently in Richmond, VA. I think it’s the most meaningful film to me because we were able to lean on my community. It was during COVID when my uncle died from a stroke that made me want to make this film in dedication to him. It was rewarding to watch it and see something made so carefully with the help of my friends and community.

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 got into the film industry by going to film school in Richmond, VA and then moving to LA at 21 for my first job as a prep tech at a camera rental house in LA. I worked there for 3 years and started AC-ing on set. I was freelancing for the past 3 years while working a part time job and it worked really well. I’m currently trying to transition out of that to focus on being a writer/director and getting my work out there. I have 3 short films under my belt and want to make more in my future. I hope to get to make my feature film Originality Is Dead in the next 10 years with the help of investors and pitching myself to studios. I have a lot of ideas of stories to make and I’m excited for people to learn more about my work.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think being a woman of color and an immigrant illustrates my resilience in the film industry. I look up to female filmmakers and filmmakers of color alot in my work. Chloe Zhao is a big inspiration of mine and I hope to follow her lead in feature filmmaking. I think working through the pandemic and being in school during that time, I never would have imagined it to happen like that. We’ve made it past the pandemic now but it’s still interesting to see the aftermath of living through that period of time.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’m currently trying to pivot outside of camera assisting to directing and writing more in my career. I want to direct music videos for artists I believe in and getting to create visuals is something I’ve always loved even growing up, doing sketches with my twin sister and doing film photography. I’ve always been a visual person so I hope to dedicate my life to that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://morenovanesa.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/v__nesa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanesa429/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vanesamoreno6254

Image Credits

BTS Sofi by Rebeca Castillo
BTS Sofi by Margaret Leyva
BTS Let’s Make Jam by Jesslyn McCartney