Meet Miguel Lopez De Leon | Filmmaker & Novelist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Miguel Lopez De Leon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miguel, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by stories and storytelling. When I was a child, I obsessively escaped into cartoons, television shows, films, comic books and fantasy books, so when I grew up, it felt natural for me to pursue a career as a storyteller.

I always knew I wanted to be an actor or write books, so when the time was right, I auditioned and was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. I loved my time at the academy. Everything was new to me, and I dove into all the amazing classes they had to offer. The academy is primarily a theatre-based school, so I had classes in Shakespeare, scene study, fencing, dance, voice, stage combat, and I of course performed and worked on countless different scenes with my fellow classmates, all under the guidance of my fantastic professors. At the end of each year, we’d put on several theatre productions as our final exams. I loved all of it. To be able to learn all those new skills and apply them into performing and telling stories was exciting and just felt right on every level.

After graduating from the academy, I auditioned and got an agent, and started going to auditions around Los Angeles. At around this same time, I was also writing short stories, as well as the draft of my first novel. And although I did book some acting roles, the novel took off first. I eventually signed with a publisher, and writing books required my full attention. Well over a decade later, I’m now on the other end of a career as a novelist. Over thirty of my short stories, and ten of my novels were published. I loved my time as a novelist and completely immersed myself in book tours, comic cons, book festivals, bookstore events and everything traditionally involved in marketing and promoting my books. But even though I loved every minute of it, in the back of my mind—especially after my tenth book—I wanted to return to my original love of performing and acting.

Returning to acting, especially after such a long break from it, has truly been a learning experience. I knew that I didn’t want to only go the traditional route with getting an agent and going on auditions—I wanted to have more control over my acting career and not completely relinquish my opportunity to work to someone else. I decided I would make my own films. Enough time had passed when I was a novelist that technology had changed so much and made it possible for me to consider this option. The first thing I did was go to as many film festivals as possible and really study the films and chat with the attending filmmakers and learn from them and their experiences. Eventually, after much trial and error, I shot my first short film and submitted it to some film festivals. It’s been about a year and a half since then, and so far I’ve made fourteen short films and a feature film, all of which are currently making the rounds at various film festivals. I’m the director, writer, actor and editor in my films, and I’m really happy with the positive reception the films have received. If you had told me a few years ago that I would end up as an award-winning filmmaker, I probably would not have believed you. It’s truly been a dream come true, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who supported me along the way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a novelist, all ten of my books are in the fantasy genre and focus on variations of seemingly ordinary characters overcoming extraordinary obstacles to find out who they truly are. For all my books, the themes of equality, inclusivity and courage were front and center. In the worlds I created in my books, the characters were judged based on the skill and work they brought to the table, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or any other factor. It was the norm that women and LGBT characters were the most powerful in the realm. Princesses wore pretty gowns, but they also led armies into battle and saved their kingdoms. Brave protagonists defeated the villains and saved the day, but they did so while also dealing with grief, loneliness and their own insecurities.

As an actor and filmmaker, the fourteen short films and one feature that I’ve made echo the themes that were important to me as a novelist. My films also focus on topics such as mental health, grief, death, the supernatural, and loneliness. For all my books and films, while I of course want them to be fun and entertaining, they all have one message in common—you are not alone. Whoever you are, whatever you are feeling, however you identify, whatever you have been through or are currently going through, you are not alone. I am currently in preproduction for my second feature, and I’m happy and grateful to incorporate these same themes into my new film.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them to the theatre to see a play. We could go to the Pantages Theatre, the Ahmanson, the Geffen Playhouse, or any of the many smaller theaters here in Los Angeles. There is so much amazing talent here that I’d want to share that with any visitor to the city. I’d also want them to experience a film festival, and get to see all the great indie films that are being made. Of course, I’d also take them to the many great restaurants we have, as well as some of the malls—the Grove is always a fun place to watch movies, eat at, and shop. Then I’d just hang out with them at my house and ask them where they wanted to go. I’ve had people visit me in LA who wanted to go to museums, or comedy clubs, or even just chill at the beach. Of course, there is always Disneyland and Universal Studios too!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people involved in my work that I’d like to thank. As a novelist, I worked with great publishers, bookstore owners, book festival representatives, comic con representatives, and the multitude of people who keep the wheels turning in the publishing industry. And of course, I would not have had a career at all without the amazing readership who supported me every step of the way. I loved that they enjoyed reading my books, and I’m so grateful for the incredible support they showed me online, and in person at bookstore events, book festivals, comic cons and book launches.

As an actor, I’m so thankful to all my acting professors at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, as well as my fellow classmates. More recently, as an actor and filmmaker, I feel so much gratitude for all the support I’ve received from everyone I’ve met at all the film festivals I’ve attended—not only the amazing audiences that have watched my films and given me such uplifting and supportive feedback, but also to the tireless film festival founders and staff, and especially my fellow filmmakers. I’m truly in awe at the talent I’ve encountered in the actors, directors, producers, writers and editors that I’ve met on this journey—all these women and men are remarkable artists and storytellers, and I am truly inspired by their ceaseless courage, determination, and skill.

Website: https://www.migueldeleonart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miguellopezdeleon1/?hl=en

Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8905409/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

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