Meet John Bombay Gutierrez | Writer, Producer, and Director from West America Film Company

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

Hi John, how do you think about risk?
I believe that risk is a necessary part of success. You must take risks to level up and achieve your goals. Logic will always find a way to talk you out of a risky decision. That’s why the majority of people don’t take big risks. The risks just don’t make sense, and depending on the person, they aren’t worth it. Believe me, I get it.

When I first arrived in Los Angeles four short years ago, I invested every dollar I could spare on producing projects for filmmakers I believed in, hoping that their success, would be our success. Having to work three to four jobs to survive initially, I banked on more experienced filmmakers to drive the car while I kept fuel in the tank. Unfortunately, factors beyond all of our control in 2020 put an ocean of distance and time in-between our work, and the audiences we hoped to entertain. This left me with a difficult decision of whether to double down on the filmmakers I produced for, or take the savings I had left and switch strategies. With the uncertainty brought about by Covid 19, I needed to make a decision about the direction of my life, and the direction of my company. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly, but I decided to take another risk.

Over the pandemic, I decided to put $20,000 towards the production of two feature films, with the goal of completing both and getting one step closer towards my goal of turning my production company, West America Film Company, into a major film studio one day. As of today, the first film of the two, To Matter, starring Michelle Vogel and produced by Felipe Martinez, has won Best Feature Film in the 2023 Ukrainian Dream Film Festival and won the award for Best First Time Director at the 2023 London Independent Film Awards. The second film, Red Flamingos, is already halfway through post-production with my time currently being spent in ADR sessions during the day, while working on sound design in the evenings. See, I never thought I would be a sound editor, but necessity forced me to expand my skillset, after receiving quotes from sound editors that were well beyond my budget. When I was faced with the difficult decision of whether to put the first film, To Matter, on pause until I could afford to hire a sound mixer or roll my sleeves up and learn how to do it myself, I chose the latter. What started as an attempt to make two feature films with limited resources, ended up being the best film production education I could have asked for. Initially, I thought post-production would be my filmmaking weakness, but my determination to learn every aspect of the process has forced me to learn nearly every job, and how to communicate with the experts, when I have the privilege to work with them in the near future.

I decided when I arrived in Los Angeles, that I would devote my life to becoming a successful filmmaker and major studio owner. Every day, I envision that goal and devote the majority of the hours in my day towards both. We all choose how to spend the hours in our days. Having a clear vision of a goal and focusing all of your decisions towards it is the most important decision any of us can take each day. A good friend of mine once told me that success is a place you have to pay the rent for each day. Experience has taught me that there’s truth in that statement. Focus on your vision and choose to pay the rent each day.

I think all of this can be summed up in one word though, passion. This is what pushes me towards taking risks. This is what keeps me focused on my vision and goals. This is the most important factor behind my success, and the success of West America Film Company. I began taking risks on other people’s dreams, but finally invested all of those risks on my own, allowing me to create opportunities for others.

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 make contemporary coming of age films that feel like they could have been made in the 80s, because the 2020s are the new 80s. Bright colors and synth music decorate the looks and sounds of my films. The stories are relatable, but timeless, because I write about my life and the world I know. Reality is often too interesting and complex to try to improve upon. One of the artists I’m collaborating with on my recent film, To Matter, is Beki Colada, the artist who sings ‘Stay With Me,’ the theme song of the film. Beki makes incredible music made today, that sounds like she could have easily been one of the music stars of the 80s. That’s what I want to be for the film industry. A filmmaker that makes great films now, that could have been classics in the 80s. Except, my films will be classics of the 2020s, hence the 20s Collection.

One of my favorite filmmakers is John Hughes. I want John Bombay movies to be to the 2020s, as John Hughes movies were to the 1980s. To Matter, is my second produced feature film, but my first feature film as a writer and director. What is To Matter about? Faced with an unplanned pregnancy while on the verge of realizing her dreams, a young woman has to make a decision that will change the course of her life. The lead character of To Matter, played by Michelle Vogel, faces this difficult decision. And after all the places the story takes her, we continue the story in the sequels, Red Flamingos and Star Questra. I’m happy to say that Red Flamingos is already in post-production, and on schedule to reach audiences next year. Star Questra goes into production this Fall.

Over the past four years I’ve lived in LA, I’ve consistently produced feature length films. I was given an opportunity to AD an independent film right away, and I took that experience and started working for myself. I started West America Film Company and started producing award-winning films, that tell great stories. My company also creates corporate videos and shoots interviews for local LA clients. There are always challenges when pursuing goals, but I’ve learned to problem-solve in real time and take steps forward each day, even if they’re small at times.

Although I have big dreams, the most important goal I have in life is to leave people feeling good about their interactions with me, and to leave every place I visit, better than I found it. The tv and the internet can make it seem like the world is so angry and divided these days. My hope for each person reading this is that you reject this and approach the world with kindness. If you’re ever given the chance to love or hate, I hope you never think that love can wait.

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?
You have to visit the Academy Museum if you love movies as much as I do. Inside, you’ll find iconic wardrobe from your favorite movies, and props and costumes from your favorite fantasy and sci-fi spectacles. There’s history to be learned about the early years of Hollywood, and the struggles that black cinema overcame to bring timeless performances to mainstream audiences. In addition to all the history from the screen on display, the most impressive and awe-inspiring section of the museum is the Oscar room. A circular room with a belt of Academy Awards. Don’t start your visit too late in the day, because you’re going to want to take your time through each floor of this beautiful modern building and take the perfect picture at sundown from the observation deck on the roof.

Whether you’re a soccer fan or not, the fun, family-friendly atmosphere at home games for the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) are the best tickets in town. The supporter section, known as The 3252, are the loudest and most passionate fans in the entirety of Major League Soccer (MLS). Go early and enjoy a walk around the grounds, try some of the carne asada nachos inside the stadium, and plan on seeing at least two celebrities. It’s a guaranteed good time.

If you’re looking for something a little more laid back, a trip to Dockweiler State Park is the perfect option. With countless firepits along the beach, clean bathrooms, and plenty of parking, this beach can be a really fun time. During the day, food and drinks are the plan, but burning wood and enjoying smores can be equally fun at night. The beaches out here are different than what I grew up with back East where the water is warmer. On the East coast, we get in the water and dry off on the beach. Out here, because the water is so cold, it’s much more fun to meet up with friends or make new friends around a fire. Don’t forget your jacket and don’t forget your smores. But make time to visit this beach and enjoy every minute of the California vibes.

The last recommendation I’ll make is to visit pop-up restaurants. Most recently I visited a pop-up restaurant in West Hollywood with a Blockbuster theme. There were shelves with empty vhs cases, a gumball machine, and plenty of other nostalgic items that transported me back through time. Although the exact pop-up will depend on when you visit, I highly recommend giving these fun themed restaurants a shot.

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?
I want to give a special shoutout to three women that inspire me with their talent, ambition, and good energy. Michelle Vogel, the lead in my film, To Matter, inspires me for transitioning from NBA dancer to feature film actress. When audiences see her in ‘To Matter’ this year, it will be the second year in a row that she’s appearing on screen in a leading role, during a very difficult time for actors in the industry. Michelle is also an amazing voice actor. Rocio De La Grana, who stars in Red Flamingos, is coming off of a year with other feature films under her belt in English and Spanish, in addition to starring in a Super Bowl ad. And Chinnaly Norasing, the former Miss Laos, who also stars in Red Flamingos in a leading role, made time to finish her college degree, before returning to Laos to rejoin the pageant circuit and continue inspiring young girls in her country. My hat goes off to all three of these superwomen.

I want to shout out Michael Peter Bolus (Dolemite Is My Name) as a good friend and filmmaking colleague, that has created numerous opportunities for me. Opportunities that have allowed me to learn different aspects of the industry including, but not limited to dealing with agencies for casting, and major studio contributors. I hope to be able to repay him for all of this valuable experience. Most recently, I’ve developed and am currently producing Michael’s feature film directorial debut, A Sense of Dread, filming in June. Production will be in California City, starring Kevin McCorkle (NCIS Los Angeles). It’s my first foray into horror and I’m excited to add a film of this genre into my 20s Collection portfolio.

I also have to shout out the talented musician from Australia, who inspired my Red Flamingos script and has been a great friend. It seems like 2019 was last year, and I wish it was. In the last year before the pandemic, I met a kind and talented guitar player named Ryan Tilley, from Brisbane, Australia. When I met him, we had both just moved to LA with the dreams of becoming a guitar player and a filmmaker. We shared talks, drinks, and the arts. Most importantly, we shared friendship. I didn’t know it at the time, but the story Ryan told me, about leaving his old life as an accountant behind, to move to LA and play the guitar, resonated with me and became the story of my next feature film, Red Flamingos, which will be completed for a 2024 release. I’m grateful for how he inspired me, and we look forward to sharing the film with audiences next year.

Website: www.westamericafilmcompany.com

Instagram: @westamericafilm

Image Credits
West America Film Company, Michelle Vogel, John Bombay Gutierrez