Meet Valentina Alonzo | Post-Production Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valentina Alonzo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valentina, what do you attribute your success to?
Success means something different to almost everyone and I can guarantee what success means for me won’t mean anything to the next person. It will relate to the few who were brought up in a household like mine. When I was in elementary school, my strong willed father would either drop me off or pick me up and have me finish these phrases: He would start with “You are a-” I would finish with “leader”. He would say “Not a-” , I would then repeat back “follower”. For years we would repeat this mantra back to each other until it was engrained in my young adult mind. It was very matter of fact and there was no buts about it. I was to remain a leader in all that I did. Wherever I went and whatever I accomplished it would be because of that simple phrase game. Of course, being a leader isn’t just about being bossy because trust me I would reign supreme at that game. Leading taught me to stand out especially in my career path. Filmmaking isn’t for the faint of heart. It is a field that takes guts, perseverance, and a little bit of talent. I say a little bit because it’s true. Look at all these nepo babies with nary a dose of talent in their veins. Whether it was in college or my freelance work or my actual job now; I have come to find that a good leader is rare. It involves a lot of respect, communication, and honesty. I can truly say I have not mastered these three pillars yet but that little mantra has taught me so much more than I could have imagined. It has been my entire aura throughout my climb to success. I can’t quite put into words how it makes me feel to be a leader but all I know is that it feels right. Being a production coordinator involves a lot of the three pillars. Half the time I’m dealing with an inner battle of fighting from calling someone on the other end of the email chain an idiot. Ego aside, it’s patience that I have had to learn along the way to become an even better leader. All that being said, my “success” as a leader is still a work in progress. My need for improvement I believe, is what will take me far in the end because I care to be better everyday In my life and my career.

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.
I’m a Post-Production Coordinator for a trailer agency. I always knew I wanted to be in film but I found this job and specific career path by fluke. I was working as AV Technician for a place in San Diego that I was quite miserable. Six months felt like 6 years and I knew that this job wasn’t going to be my forever. I had found a production assistant job on Indeed and applied thinking my diverse and weird resume wouldn’t get me anywhere. Luckily, my weird and diverse resume was what intrigued my current boss. I learned a lot at this job and I eventually moved up in positions which is a blessing because I have noticed that not a lot of workplaces in the industry encourage or push for growth. Getting to this point in my life and career however, wasn’t an easy feet. The year prior, the whole world began to come out of hiding from the pandemic, and I was an undergraduate working at an amusement park just to keep myself stable, mentally and financially. At that point I was losing hope of ever finding a job in the film industry. I was also living in my hometown at the time so I was nowhere near the Hollywood hub. There was something about being at the bottom though that lights a fire up your ass. At least for me, I knew I was meant for more and that this was just a stage that a had to kick myself out of. I began freelancing in any film position that I could. I would do odd jobs in my hometown and also drive to LA for gigs. I PA’d, edited, even did a gaffing job one time just to feel a connection to my passion and to get more experience. Fake it till you make it, you know? In that sense, I’m most proud of my willingness to throw myself into something even though I had no idea what I was doing. That is pretty much what helps me standout in this big wide web of industry workers. You ask me if I can do it and ninety percent of the time I will tell you “yes I can do it” and proceed to Google my way through it and finish the job. I have learned to think on the fly and troubleshoot because at the end of the day, no employer is going to hold your hand and help you figure something out. That is why they hired YOU. Most importantly, my biggest and most important asset that I am deeply proud of, is my personality. There is something about blatant honesty and sarcasm that many cynics in this industry feed off of. Luckily, I was born with a lot of wit and awareness of when to pump up the charm, or when to act serious and professional. Jokes aside, that honest to god truth is that personality is what gets jobs. It’s not talent and it’s not your degree that you worked so hard for. Those are characteristics for sure but I have learned to use what I got to make someone remember me. Whether it is being friendly, personable, funny, or whatever you are blessed with, use it to your advantage and you will go far.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m fairly new to LA so my recommendations might not be as groundbreaking as a local but from what I have experienced, I really love going to eat in Inglewood. Try Hilltop Coffee and order their breakfast sandwich, you will be very pleased. Another one of my favorite brunch places is The Court for some chicken and waffles. If you are looking for a nice mall, Century City is a nice a boujee mall to visit. I’m sure you can see celebrities on a day to day basis if that’s your thing. Next stop would be Malibu beaches. I know you are thinking that’s a lot of driving but trust me it can be done. While at Malibu beach, eat some seafood and visit the Hannah Montana house. I also recommend going to the Getty if you have never been before. You don’t have to be into art, it’s free and you can just go for the architecture and views of LA. Take some pictures, have a glass of wine and call it a day. One of the places that has really touched my heart is Pasadena. Everything about is beautiful. It feels like it’s own county because it is quite far from the hub of LA but it has been one of the places I retreat too when I get a little tired of the fast city. Go to El Portal for some margaritas, Vroman’s bookstore to shop around (FYI they have a wine bar!), and finally Canterbury Records for some old school and new school vinyl. Variety and lots of driving.. What a crowd pleaser!

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?
I thank my mom and dad for always supporting everything that I chose to do in my life without question. I thank my love for always being my cheerleader and supporting my impulsive passions that came out of left field. Shoutout to my small but exceptional group of friends who have never steered me wrong and have loved me unconditionally. It is because of all your love that I thrive in my life.

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-alonzo-955b341b0