Meet Diego Ramirez | Filmmaker

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

Hi Diego, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is almost everything in filmmaking really. Not only can it be an expensive occupation (if you allow it to be), but it can also be a gambling one at that…and I’m a horrible gambler believe it or not.

One thing you gotta understand as a filmmaker is you got to know where to pick your battles; you need to know where you want the money to go into. As well as have alternatives if a certain plan doesn’t come into fruition, as well as having solutions to everything. Because looking back on it now, I knew I could’ve made my early film projects for cheap. But at the time, I didn’t know much about filmmaking to be aware of that. I was still learning at the time.

Anyway that’s about failure not about risk. What I do now is study the possible risk theories of what could happen if a project doesn’t do well, or does do well. Before I do any pre-planning on production, I always look to what what niches and markets my film project could cater to. I plan almost to the nth degree so that the risk is I take is not such a blow. Which I feel like has been my savior in my filmmaking endevours. Because this way I’m keeping myself realistic, but I’m also keeping an even ground with that passionate kid in me who wants to keep making movies that he wants to see them; without compromising himself or breaking his heart all the time.

I grew as a filmmaker from those risks.

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 filmmaker specializing in writing, cinematography, and editing. I’m also a photographer that specializes in narrative photography. The most recent project that I’m most grateful and proud of is a documentary feature called “Still Strumming” that had a five-minute standing ovation from a 100-plus crowd of family and friends at its premiere.

I personally think one should stay true to themselves as a filmmaker, find their own styles through their own intuitive nature, approach their career with as much focus, purpose, and knowledge, seeking out to tell stories that they are burning to tell, and just plan, plan, plan as much as you can on that single project that you’re doing. Because the more you plan out a film project or any artistic endeavor that you’re passionate about, the more conceivably it will materialize. This is what I believe in, in terms of setting myself apart from others.

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?
Definitely to the various theaters that show theater plays and movies. Along with the various food places around here…oh my gosh there’s like so many in my head like the food over at the grove, Jitlada, Philippe’s sandwiches, Pink’s hot dogs, The Sweet Corner near Paramount Pictures, House of Pie’s, Cafe 50’s, so many…but I’m no travel guide, if I was I’d be a millionaire at this point. Anyway i’m just kidding, those are just my recommendations.

If I can say one thing about the movie theaters out in LA, specifically the independent and arthouse ones. There is nothing more rewarding than experiencing a movie together and collectively having the same feelings, and certain thoughts together. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, when you laugh, feel, or just cry in a movie together, there is nothing more of a bonding experience like that. It is just so euphoric.

Some of my favorites are the Laemmle theaters here in California, the New Beverly Cinema, the Fine Arts theater, the American Cinemateque, or some outside ones out of LA like the Gardena or Frida cinema. But my favorite movie theater will always be the Landmark Nuart over in Santa Monica.

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?
Gracious thanks to my former teachers that believed in me and my talents such as David Metzler (RIP), Chris Hauk, and James Miura. Along with my family, and my former working partners such as Romel D. Williams. Alongside my longtime collaborator, Calon Higgins; truly my co-partner and unsung hero in all of this. Along with the many collaborators I have worked with in the past.

Website: https://linktr.ee/fotodiego_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fotodiego_/?__coig_restricted=1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hVSMzC9xOuvHcU18CfSNw