Meet Denise A. Diaz | Producer

I think taking risks is part of life. When looking back at my life so far I have realized that if I didn’t take the risks I did I would not be where I am today. From a young age I have always been fascinated by the TV & Film industry, I never thought it could be my career. Growing up with immigrant parents from Mexico their expectations of what I would do with my life were practical, they wanted me to become a doctor or a lawyer. At the time I didn’t realize the risks I was taking would affect my path later in life. I joined the drama club in middle school as a hobby, went to a performing arts high school for the “experience” and went out of state for college. These were risks I made that were not aligned with what my parents expected of me. Once I got to college I realized I didn’t want to be a doctor or a lawyer and took the risk to focus on my film studies. There was so much I learned during that time that I do not regret taking that risk. Now, I am an independent filmmaker and the job is a risk. But, it excites me and I get to collaborate with a diverse group of people. I may not know where I will be in the next year but for now, I am enjoying the experience and making 8-year-old Denise proud.

I am an independent filmmaker who produces and occasionally writes on the side. I have always been fascinated by television and films. I never learned how they were made, but just appreciated them. It wasn’t until I took a film class in college that I started to learn how films were made and how to analyze them. My senior thesis was producing and filming a cooking show showcasing a diverse group of students and what they liked to cook. It was hard work and I learned a lot during this time. After graduation, I decided to look for a film school that offered hands-on experience and would fill my gaps of missing film production knowledge. Mount Saint Mary’s Film program was perfect for me. It was here that I realized I loved producing. I was able to make connections with other filmmakers and soon enough I was producing eight short films around the same time. It was a great experience for me and I am grateful to all the filmmakers I worked with during this time. Since then I have continued to collaborate with other filmmakers to bring their stories to life.

The first thing we are doing is Disneyland. You can’t come to LA and not do Disneyland. Definitely, would take them to Grand Central Market to get some good food. Visit all the museums LA has to offer as well as see what is showing at the Pantages, Ahmanson, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Take them to a Dodger game and get some good street tacos. Sign up for the Warner Bros. studio tour and get brunch in Burbank. See the Hollywood sign and visit the Walk of Fame. Do a day at the beach and Santa Monica Pier. Buy some books and have a picnic at Griffith Park. Lastly, squeeze in Universal Studios and Six Flags.

My family and friends are my biggest supporters. Without them to lean on I wouldn’t be where I am today. The mentorship and encouragement I received in my undergrad from my professors was essential to my film beginnings. I recently graduated from MSMSU’s MFA Film program where I was able to expand my knowledge on producing. That is where I met many great collaborators who I continue to work with today. Shout out to all the writers and directors who brought me onto their projects and let me produce for them. Everyone has to start somewhere and those filmmakers who let me produce for them when I was first starting out were a huge help. I learned a lot during that time and I continue to learn on every project I work on. Every person I have met and come across on my filmmaking journey leave me with some insight and knowledge I didn’t have before and I am grateful for them.