Meet Casilda García López | Creative Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Casilda García López and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Casilda, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk-taking can either surprise you with unexpected ventures or formative experiences to learn from your mistakes. Especially in a career in the arts, which begins by breaking the mold of traditional careers expected from anyone as a kid. Don’t forget what first made you dream of becoming an artist. Allow for that love of the unknown to help you grow both through mistakes and bull’s-eye.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As Madrid’s León Felipe Youth Poetry Award winner I believe that all true art is some way or another poetry. I have found my career to evolve into a hybrid of creativity – mainly the inception of ideas – and production, the business end of the film. It allows my practical and dreamy nature to coexist in a fulfilling and ever-changing career.

My proudest achievement is my capability to reinvent myself and the perseverance to keep searching for opportunities that are stimulating and honor my talent, not allowing myself to conform to a setting that doesn’t allow me to learn or grow. I have learned to find a sense of peace and an identity beyond my professional career to take the right decisions when it comes to my job life.

I want the world to know that dreams change. We dream every night and so do our ambitions. I encourage everyone to be open to absorbing what the world has to offer. Do not always latch on to your childhood’s delusions of grandeur, you may be ignoring who you’re becoming as you grow into an adult.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Shoutout is LA-based (as its title indicates), and I’m a soon-to-be native New Yorker. I’m a strong believer that the so-called “City” is meant to be discovered by foot and serendipity. I would recommend pinning down a few spots for breakfast-lunch-dinner and allowing the in-betweens to guide you.

If we’re catering to first-time visitors, it makes sense to focus on Downtown Manhattan, in the whereabouts of my alma mater – NYU’s main campus. The emblematic Washington Square Park, is home to the delicious NY Dosas, all sorts of street performers, and now, TikTok interviewers. You can drop by Caffé Reggio for classical music, tight seats, and a chai tea latte up to 3 in the morning. If you’re feeling fancy, hit Minetta Tavern, an old-school New York find with delicious burgers, French onion soups, and checkered floors. Speaking of checkers, you can also check out “The Chess Forum” next door. I would encourage a walk down the Piers, Highline if you love tourists and being one or a visit to the Whitney Museum.

Ultimately, I invited everyone to get lost in the streets of New York City. No music, no phone calls… Eavesdrop on others’ conversations, people-watch, and just be curious! NYC is the world’s greatest stage.

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?
Above all, the blind trust others have given me when betting on me for new opportunities. The King Juan Carlos I Center of Spain at NYU first allowed me to create my own programming and interview thinkers I’ve long-time admired – from (ex) flamenco Niño de Elche to electroqueer icon Samantha Hudson. I would also like to thank Discordia Cine, a wonderful LA-born Production Company run by Latinx creators without whom I would have never fulfilled my first solo ventures as a Producer.

Online Resources:

– “Word of Mouth” newsletter by Rachel Meade’s Smith
– Media Mavens email list for female-identifying individuals in the film
– Entertainmentcareers.net
– LinkedIn Job Alerts are your friend to make sure you’re one of the first to apply to any desired role
– Perfectly Imperfect, where self-proclaimed NY/LA “cool kids” recommend anything under the phase of the sun for inspiration past more traditional job boards in how to make a living out of anything you love

Undoubtedly, real-life word of mouth. When you meet someone interesting, keep in touch with those who align with your values and trajectory. Cold emailing anyone or anything you admire. Don’t be afraid of not receiving a response, follow up but also learn how to let go. Make sure whoever you reach out to comes from a genuine place, they will not only sense it but it will take your career where it’s meant to live and grow.

Website: casildagarcia.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casildag/