We were lucky to catch up with Verner Maldonado recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Verner, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
The first dollar I earned as a Director was a defining moment. One of those small but pivotal experiences that quietly shaped my views on my career choice. I was still a student at Florida Atlantic University when some friends and I decided to start our own company. We were all hungry to learn, taking on small projects wherever we could, and then came our first real gig, a commercial for a wine app.
It wasn’t a high-profile job, nothing that would make waves in the industry, but to us, it was everything. What made it even more exciting was that it was going to be animated, so I took it seriously. I spent hours meticulously photographing each frame, visualizing every movement, and every transition, making sure the foundation was set before passing it along to the rest of the team. When the project wrapped, I got paid a small ninety dollars for my role as a director.
To most people (and me lol) that wasn’t a lot. But in the moment? That check was proof. Proof that my skills had value. That someone saw what I was capable of and was willing to invest in it. I held onto that feeling for a long time. It didn’t matter that the commercial didn’t take off; what mattered was that I had taken that first step from aspiring filmmaker to professional creative. That moment lit a fire in me that pushed me to keep going, keep growing, and never settle for anything less than what I knew I could achieve.
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?
I’m Verner Maldonado, a director/writer/producer based in Los Angeles. I come from a first-generation family with roots in Guatemala, raised between Miami and LA. My love for film started early growing up watching movies with my family, especially my brother who would take me to the local theater every chance we could and just get lost in those stories and realize the power they had to capture people’s attention. But filmmaking didn’t always seem like a realistic career. It wasn’t until I finished my 4th year at Florida Atlantic University, where I studied Criminal Justice, that I started seeing a different life for myself. I stayed another year and added Film as an additional degree. I got hands-on experience, shot a few shorts, made my first commercial, sold a concept for Haagan-Daz, and eventually started working on actual feature-length films from big studios as a production assistant.
Now, I specialize in directing and producing films that balance strong characters, emotion, and entertainment. I’ve worked on short films like Swim and The Father, with a total viewership of 5+million views on Youtube, and directed insert units for TV shows like The Last Ship (TNT) and The Fix (ABC), and just finished my first feature film, Best Man, Dead Man, which is set to release this year. What I love about this industry is that no two projects are the same. Whether it’s a feature, a short, or something in between, my goal is always to tell stories that feel real and resonate.
What sets me apart? I think I can blend different tones in a way that feels natural. I like to take moments of tension and dial them up a notch or take something funny and ground it with real emotion. That’s how life is, so that’s how I like to present it. I also understand what it means to build something from the ground up, and I approach every project with that mindset working with what I have, being resourceful, and making sure the story always comes first and that everyone involved understands the responsibility and privilege we have to tell that particular story.
It hasn’t been easy, and there’s no clear blueprint for success in this industry. There were times when I had to work side jobs (and still do from time to time) just to keep things moving, but I never stopped pushing forward. I want others especially those who don’t come from connections or privilege to know that you don’t have to wait for permission to tell your stories. You can make your way. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, and that’s what I plan to keep doing.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to shape emotions and perspectives through filmmaking. There’s something powerful about seeing an audience react to your work whether it’s laughter, tears, or that quiet moment of reflection. I love knowing that something I created has resonated with someone, made them feel understood, or even changed how they see the world. And since we all come from different walks of life, it is incredible that sometimes the reaction is universal and it is also equally thrilling if someone takes a different perspective from it
Film is one of the most immersive art forms, and the collaboration it entails means I get to work with talented people who all bring their expertise and passion to the table. Every project is a marathon and seeing an idea go from a rough concept to fully realized is an indescribable feeling. That moment when you’re sitting in a theater, watching your work on the big screen, and hearing the audience’s reaction makes all the struggles, the late nights, and the uncertainties worth it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
It’s simple: I want to do this for the rest of my life. I want to keep making films, keep telling stories, and keep growing as a filmmaker. But beyond all that, I want to create work that sticks with people. Films that make them feel something long after the credits roll.
For me, filmmaking is about connection. It’s about giving people a space where they can see themselves, where they can empathize with experiences outside of their own, and maybe even walk away seeing the world a little differently. If I can make something that stays with someone, that helps them understand another perspective, that makes them feel safe to feel something real, then I’ve done my job. That’s the kind of impact I want to have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vernermaldonado.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernermaldonado/
- Twitter: @vernermaldonado
