Meet Hernando Cortes Watson: Writer/Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hernando Cortes Watson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hernando, why did you pursue a creative career?
I fell in love. Stories and my consumption of them have always been apart of my life. In the beginning, it was to escape reality, to dream and occupy other worlds then it became an obsession. All I did was read literature and plays, and watch movies. Oh, the movies! It was and is my entire life. But the key moment was when I saw Tim Burton’s BATMAN and Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s ALL ABOUT EVE during the same weekend. I was 5 years old and it was a thunderbolt in my brain and heart. I saw two forms of spectacle (visual and dialogue-driven) and knew then, a filmmaker could have multiple thematic interests in multiple forms. At that very moment, I set out on the journey I am currently on: as a world explorer, as a fearless queer artist, who no matter what the result, would always chase his dreams. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe in re-definition. That has been the hallmark of my life. I am a child of immigrants who came to this country with nothing and yet believe in the possibility of transcending one’s past. My work as a dramatist — exploring how we live and why — has been a continuing journey of exploration. I have not yet achieved my proudest accomplishment and I love that I am a work in progress. It took me a long time to let go and embrace my instincts. The truth is: I’ve failed and risked and yet, I’ll always risk again. Nothing has stopped me or ever will. The most important lessons I’ve learned are about faith and resiliency. Going on when the door has been shut in your face. At the end of the day, what has motivated me are the storytellers of the world, those magicians, known and unknown. I am apart of that community, forever a dream chaser. My art is about examining the human condition within visually-striking genre material.

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?
Eat: N/Naka
Drink: Sunset Tower
Visit: Hermosa Beach Pier
Hangout: Soho House 

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?
My mother and husband. Both are the emotional pillars of my life. Both are the drives from my past and my present. You need more than the chase of power or money to go on. You need real love to sustain a life. You need it to get up in the morning for battle, when all the odds are stacked against you. You need it to breathe. You need it to create for the world.

Website: www.vimeo.com/corteswatson
Instagram: @corteswatson

Image Credits
Aaron Torres