Meet Cristina Trujillo | Founder & CEO
We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristina Trujillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Cristina, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The inspiration to develop an ethical multimedia agency focused on social values arose from my extensive experience in the Community and Economic Development sector.
As I led inclusive economic development programs for vulnerable populations throughout California, I took note of the need for compelling storytelling that captures the universe of programs, resources, and boots on the ground that aid America’s most vulnerable populations. I recognized that although Social Impact practitioners may be privy to the plethora of resources and programs, the public is primarily unaware due to the gap in access to information and resources.
With a visceral understanding of social needs, my son and I launched REEM Media to offer media production services to Cristina’s extensive social impact network.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Casting, Directing, and Producing are my newfound art. There’s such great Talent in this field that it’s hard to be set apart. We all have been influenced by others, and thus bring a bit of everyone into our art. I never imagined myself filling these creative roles, yet I am coming full circle. In the 6th grade, I scripted, cast, directed, and acted in a neighborhood play. That is an entire essay in and of itself. Still, even though I promised an excellent teacher that I would never give up on this path, my life was too treacherous for a creative course.
Ultimately, during my 2nd Act, having raised a son with more time on my hands, I began dappling into photo shoot casting. I also taught myself to produce digital series and multi-stream them during 2020. That year I also started producing corporate videos, but it wasn’t until working with Jonathan De La Cerda, an upcoming talented Cinematographer, that I earned my Directing credits.
My career pivot has been the opposite of easy. But nothing ever is. At least for me, I cannot recall anything in my own life worth all my blood, sweat, and tears being easy. Pushing out my business idea, which is now a vessel for my creative projects, has been even more difficult than birthing my son. Yet, it’s the challenges that teach me what I am capable of and what I am not. And I pride myself on recognizing inherent gifts in others that I can collaborate with.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that we can never be too prepared, but we can be too demanding and closed off to the creative process. Perfectionism often hinders the imagination causing projects to stifle, so we must stay aware of this nasty inner critic.
What I want the world to know about REEM Media is that we create from aligned social values. If we are not aligned on the project, say if our heart is not feeling it, we will pass on the project. We use our gifts to Reignite, Empower, Express, and Motivate precisely what our clients do. Also, we use our diverse backgrounds (culture, demographics), skills, qualifications, and life experience to speak and empower targeted audiences.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Having been raised in Los Angeles – I would take my friend to the places that give me the most nostalgia. I would take them to Exposition Park. We will visit the Natural History Museum and the Plazita Olvera on Saturday and hit the beach on Sunday. My favorite beach destination is Santa Monica since I went to SMC. We would also have to stop by Portos for some guava pastries.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to my REEM Media Familia – the incredible artists, writers, and musicians that believed in the vision from day one and continue to pour love into our projects! AND our creative partners that trust us with their projects, year after year: Berkeley Community Media, CoBiz Inc, Mutual Housing California, Vanita Lee-Tatum, and 1Hundread Years Enterprise.
Website: www.reemmedia.org
Instagram: https://twitter.com/REEM_MEDIALLC
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/reemmedia
Twitter: https://twitter.com/REEM_MEDIALLC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reemmediallc
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/REEMMedia
Image Credits
All pictures are from REEM Media.
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