Meet Elton de Almeida | Screenwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elton de Almeida and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elton, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From a young age, I was incredibly imaginative but also quite introverted, which made social interactions a challenge. It often felt like I lived in my own world, somewhat isolated from others. Writing, drawing, and making up stories became my outlet to express myself and connect with people. At the same time, I grew up in a small rural town in Brazil, and my family couldn’t afford travel or much in terms of leisure. So, I could only travel and have fun through the novels I’d borrow from the library and the VHS/DVDs I’d get from the rental store. When my mother won a video camera in a draw, I started playing around with it, creating my own shorts, which solidified my passion for cinema. When the time came to choose a career, there was no doubt in my mind—I wanted to be a filmmaker. That’s when I enrolled in film school in São Paulo, Brazil, and I’ve been on this creative journey ever since, working mostly as a screenwriter.

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.
What keeps you busy professionally?

For the past six years, I’ve been working as a writer in the Brazilian film and TV industry— even remotely from LA for the past two and a half years. I’ve been a part of writers’ rooms for local shows, worked on the development of several projects, and recently adapted a renowned novel into a feature, which I hope will be receiving enough funding soon to start production. Earlier this summer, I earned my MFA in screenwriting from the prestigious American Film Institute Conservatory, and now I’m eager to carve a place for myself in the American film/TV landscape. While fostering connections and exploring creative partnerships in LA, I continue to collaborate with producers from my home country.

For 2024, I’m set to co-write a Brazilian sci-fi feature for streaming, and I’m excited to start developing my feature debut as a director, which I plan to make a USA-Brazil co-production.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love hosting, and last year I had a few friends over visiting SoCal for the first time, providing great opportunities to share what I love the most about LA. Although this is a heavily car-centric city, I enjoy walking and strolling around, sightseeing, and checking out local businesses. So, I’d take them to Echo Park, strolling down Sunset Blvd, and checking out spots like Stories Books and Café—a fantastic coffee shop and bookstore—and Rodeo Grill, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, and then the park itself.

Next, I’d recommend exploring the neighboring Elysian Park and Angelino Heights—where you can see some historical Victorian houses and locations for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “Charmed.” Additionally, I’d walk them around Leimert Park Plaza, exploring the great shops and food options in the area with its rich Angelino African American heritage. Closer to the area, in Crenshaw/Jefferson Park, I’d take them to Reparations Club—an inspiring place perfectly described as a Black-Owned, Woman-Owned concept bookshop and creative space curated by blackness. Finally, I’d take them to Downtown Inglewood, where you can still find some old-school shops and food staples like Woody’s Bar-B-Que.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
For sure! I want to send a shoutout to my partner, Nickolas Ajani Vaughan, an inspiring multi-hyphenate artist who dabbles in different mediums (he’s currently developing a performance work for the Franklin Furnace Grant, set to premiere in NYC next Summer) and also works as a producer for unscripted shows like HBO’s “We’re Here” and “Swiping America.” With his endless support, love, and creativity, my journey in LA has become nothing short of magical.

I also want to dedicate a shoutout to two dear filmmaker friends who constantly inspire me with their visions: Nicolas Blanco, an LA-based Colombian, queer filmmaker who attended AFI Conservatory like me. Nicolas is a triple threat, producing, directing, and writing bold stories of the queer experience that we so desperately need. He’s been selected for Film Independent’s Imaginar Producers Residency 2023, where he’s cooking up incredible projects we’ll soon have the privilege to watch.

And Kristy Choi, an amazing writer-director who is soon to release her new short film through Janet Yang’s prestigious Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge for Asian American and Pacific Islander Women. Kristy is a great storyteller, unafraid to tap into deep emotions and complicated relationships, and it’s been a huge pleasure to follow her process and be a sounding board for her ideas. Now, go check them out!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eltao__/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/elton-de-almeida-3569a446

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eltao__

Image Credits
Picture at graduation — Ricardo Monastier Picture wearing a striped t-shirt leaning against a red wall — Luísa Dalé Remaining pics — Nickolas Vaughan