Meet Andres Garcia | First Assistant Director

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

Hi Andres, how do you think about risk?
There is no easy way to talk about risk-taking without feeling a sense of self-entitlement, but what I can say about it goes hand in hand with a quote from Little Miss Sunshine, when Olive tells her grandfather that she “doesn’t want to be a loser.” His response will forever be engraved in my mind as he leaned toward her and said, “Real losers are the people who are so afraid of losing that they don’t even try.”

I guess what I’m trying to say is that as artists, we have to embrace the risks that come with our careers and live with the eternal hope that we’re going to make it, because trying is better than standing still.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a man for the people. Growing up with doctors as parents, I witnessed how their genuine care for others made a significant impact on people’s lives. Because of this, I feel like my entire artistic career has been based on being someone others can rely on. This translates into my work as a 1st Assistant Director, where I strive to show that people can count on me, no matter the situation, by offering genuine care and support.

And that is the beauty of my work and my craft: it’s there to make you feel like you belong, that you are part of something, and that you are safe with me—no matter what.

At the end of the day, we are all human, and we all need someone to look out for us. That’s why, over the years, I’ve found this perspective on art to be deeply meaningful

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First of all, for anybody new to Los Angeles, Hollywood Boulevard—although extremely sketchy and maybe a little dirty—is a must to understand the bohemian and artistic style this city has to offer.

Next up, I would recommend a walk through the Hollywood Hills, a place of great beauty and historic value to anyone connected to the film industry.

Then I would take them to my favorite place in Burbank: Priscila Café. The best coffee, and at an excellent price, it’s a must—at least for me—to see some of America’s great pieces of coffee history.

Last but not least, I would recommend Santa Monica Pier, a place to experience the beauty Los Angeles has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
With this article, or whatever this is, I want to honor the people who have been a part of my growth.
Among them is José Miguel Portillo, a man who taught me that obstacles are meant to be overcome. Now, I speak directly to you, José Miguel: from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I am completely convinced that without your guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Next, I want to thank Germán Alonso Ponce, a man who believed in me when I was just a kid with a dream. You’re an inspiration and a huge blessing to all of us. Thank you for being the big brother we all need.

I also want to express my gratitude to Doris Carpio, a woman who revealed to me the intricacies of literature and encouraged me to explore the intellectual realms of art and culture.

Now, I turn to my parents, Gustavo and Eloísa García, my role models and the people who shaped me into the man I am today. I love you with all my heart, and I hope to honor you with every step my career takes.

I also want to thank my best friends: Ricardo Madrid, Borja Hernández, and Daniel Teherani. Your names are tattooed on my heart, and they always will be.

Finally—and yes, I am one of those people—I want to thank God, my reason for being, and my eternal source of inspiration for my craft.

Instagram: Andy_ch

Image Credits
Lu Mendoza,
Kushagra Jain
Ibeth Rodríguez