Meet Gabriel Gutierrez | Producer

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

Hi Gabriel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My journey to LA and later to the American Film Institute started with a risk I took. Back in 2017, I was living in Fort Worth, Texas. I had just graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU), and I position at the Lone Star Film Festival. In my two years there, I had an amazing time working with filmmakers from all over the world. I watched thousands of submissions each year. Looking for something that would connect my culture with my passion on film I started Fort Worth’s first Latino film festival Cine-Más. Chad and I had developed a great shorthand, and even though I was just 23 at the time, he sat me down and honestly asked me what I wanted to do with my future. I knew how to do the job and would have been next in line to inherit the festival and all the amazing perks with it should he choose to step down, but that question made me reflect on what I wanted to do. As much as I LOVE helping others tell their stories and helping give young filmmakers a platform for their art, I realized I wanted to be one of them and produce impactful and meaningful films.

So I left a fantastic job to move out here in the hope of finding filmmakers I could connect with. I definitely doubted my decision, especially in the pandemic, but I knew I was just beginning this new chapter in my life, and I had to stick it out because something great was/is waiting for me. I did every job imaginable to make enough money to pay next month’s rent and then the next one. Anything to keep the dream alive long enough until I made it to AFI, and found filmmakers that I am excited to work with for years to come. Risk is always scary, but if you are willing to do anything to come out on top, is it really a risk?

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Finding my way to film was not a straight path. I grew up in a house full of musicians. My father is an orchestra conductor, my mother plays the guitar and sings beautifully, my brother is a composer and a prodigy at the piano from a very early age, and then there was me. My parents threw me at every instrument, but nothing would stick. Thankfully my parents didn’t give up on my musical ability, and they enrolled me in the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where I could explore art and all its different forms. I always found comfort in theater, dance, and film along the way.

I didn’t get the musical genes of the family, but in my time, exploring different disciplines in the art world allowed me to open a door towards film. My training in art has cemented my creativity, discipline, and curiosity when I make films. Getting to where I am today was not an easy road, but thanks to my previous education and mentors I met along the way, I have been able to explore the film industry while using these tools to make films that connect me to my Latino roots.

This ultimately led me to create Fort Worth, TX’s first ever Latino film festival ‘Cine-Más. A festival dedicated to showcasing the best films of Latin America and creating a fun and safe environment where Latinos could reconnect with their heritage or share their culture with their family and friends.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite LA spots are mainly based on restaurants because food is life. My partner is a chef so we usually go to try new restaurants all the time, but my favorite of all the places we have been to is Bavel. It’s THE best restaurant in LA. The Meddertaian flavors are unlike anything I have ever had. I cried eating there, its that good. And for dessert, we would head over to Wonderlust in Glendale for the most unique ice cream flavors.

With how much we like to eat, we also try to work out as much as we can. One of our favorite walks is to go around the Hollywood Reservoir or going up to the observatory. Runyon is also a favorite, but I can never find parking there.

And at night we like going out to the movies at either the AMC at the Americana or if it’s a Disney movie you have to go to El Capitan theater. I love the little light show they do before the screening and the little prizes they give before and after each screening.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to all the mentors I’ve had in my life. I learned way more with them through our one-on-one talks, and I am 100% sure I would not be here if it were not for these people:

My Parents (German & Silvia Gutierrez) because I learn and grow from them everyday.

Miguel Harth-Bedoya (former Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony) for teaching me about professionalism and constantly pushing me to take the extra step to distinguish myself above the rest.

Bryan Priddy (my high school Choral professor) for teaching me music and so many other skills I didn’t know I would still find a use for in a different medium.

Grigor Alexski (RIP) for teaching me you can be talented in other things. This sounds like a given, but when you grow up in a family of musicians and can’t play an instrument to save your life, as a kid, it looked like there was no place for me.

And Richard Allen (Professor at Texas Christian University) for teaching me how to be a filmmaker. He never turned me down when I asked for homework over semester breaks. He fed my appetite to learn about film and pointed my passion to the job where I feel most content, Producing.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gabriel_a_gutierrez?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-guti%C3%A9rrez-76608a106/

Image Credits
All the photos, with the exception of the one, were taken by the incredible Jared Hawkley. The other photo (the one of me standing at the monitor) was taken by Ines Vasquez