Meet Anthony Diaz V | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Diaz V and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When we hear the word “risk” there is this negative connotation that challenges our worldview of what we consider safe or normal, but in reality, they can be used as guiding lights that can lead to opportunity.

Growing up I was always fascinated with movies and visual media. I was able to transport to another world, learn about a different culture, and even experience a different way of life all from the comfort of my couch. That’s what ultimately drew me towards a career in storytelling and filmmaking because It allowed me to take experiences of my life and shape them into a narrative that I can share with others. It was my way of communicating. Of course, showcasing your work to the public always comes with the risk of ridicule and criticism, and anybody in the field of arts will tell you that especially at the beginning they took criticism very personally, even if they tried not to.

I am an introvert by nature which is ironic for someone who works and talks with people on a daily basis. When I started to take filmmaking seriously it was hard for me to convey my vision because the risk of being rejected was always in the back of my mind. My movies were an extension of myself and I was afraid of putting myself out there and the public not liking what they see. But my Father who is also my mentor has always instilled this life lesson in me since I was very young, “How do you expect to get everything you want in life if you are not willing to give up everything that you have?” He also said, “Visionaries do not look at the risk in an opportunity, they look at the opportunity in the risk.” So now I look at risks in a completely different light. They are a catalyst that carves and shapes me to become a better filmmaker and storyteller and ultimately the person I aspire to be.

I always remind myself that everything I ever want to accomplish in my life lies on the other side of fear. So now when a risk presents itself, I allow myself to feel that fear and use it as a guide to know that I am on the right track.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I write, direct, act, produce and edit my own films and I learned at a young age how to manage and wear all those hats in the different stages of the filmmaking process. It allowed me to see the scale of what it takes to create a story through film, and it was my training of sorts to when I started working with a full-fledged crew, I was able to convey my vision more clearly because I was going through my story multiple times through the various stages of development.

Growing up my family would have movie nights and I would always ask my father questions about character motivations, style, theme, etc. on films I was too young to understand, but nonetheless, the seed of creative curiosity was planted in me ever since. I was amazed at how images on a screen affected people just by watching it and the response you get after people experience what you create is a rush that I was addicted to.

The whole filmmaking process excites me. After pouring all my energy and focus into something creative, I am just so fortunate and blessed to have a great support structure where I am able to get constructive and tangible feedback and know that the people I go to always have my best interest at heart. I have so many projects in various stages of development that it can be overwhelming because there is only so much time in a day, but I exercise patience because when I step back and let each project grow and evolve naturally, the timing becomes perfect when I prioritize it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Tokyo, Japan and more precisely the heart of Tokyo which is Shibuya, which you can spend a week just in this ward by itself. To get you acclimated with the culture, we would first try out all my favorite local food places. Japan is known for having some of the cleanest and most delicious food that you can eat right away, whether it be sushi, ramen, takoyaki or yakiniku. Afterwards, we would go to “Shibuya Crossing” which is a famous crosswalk in Japan that you always see in the movies before closing the first night having a night cap at one of Japan’s many Izakaya restaurants (loval bars) or many nightclubs if you are into that kind of night life.

The next day we would go and hit the major landmarks around Tokyo such as: Tokyo Tower, Asakusa Temple, and Tokyo Skytree. If you are into Anime and video games then we can also go to Akihabara, which is Tokyo’s Electric town where you can experience all the nerd culture you want.

Then for the last few days of your trip we will jump on and experience Japan’s Shinkansen, or “Bullet Train” and take a trip to either Osaka, Nagoya and/or Kyoto. While experiencing the lightning fast but smooth ride of the bullet train you will be able to take in and view the naturalistic beauties of Japan’s many country sides. The beauty of Japan is in its preservation of its past mixed in with the present and future. There are temples in between high rises as well as beautiful old Japanese style homes right next to a convenient store.
Japan is a sight to behold and just one week here is obviously not enough time to experience the many beauties that the country has to offer. It still shocks me that I have been living here for years now but Japan still has ways to surprise me. It really does feel like a different world that you have to see to believe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my family who has been always been my support structure in my life.

Website: Movie Project Websites – www.wayofthecrossmovie.com, www.thebreakmovie.com

Instagram: Company – @kaizen.studios, Personal – @anthonydiazv

Twitter: Company – @KaizenStudios, Personal – @anthonydiazv5

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