Meet Larry V. Santana | Writer & Director
We had the good fortune of connecting with Larry V. Santana and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Larry V., what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is what makes the juice worth the squeeze, Without it, you can never achieve anything truly extraordinary. What most people don’t understand is that risk exists EVERYWHERE. For me, the greatest risk of all is playing it safe – making yourself small to fit someone else’s expectations of you. Or worse still, allowing the fear of failure to stop you from ever trying in the first place. In that instance, you run the risk of never tasting true joy or fulfillment. We all have an expiration date that we’re slowly inching closer to with every breath. I never want to wonder, “What if?”
The great Denzel Washington (one of my very favorite actors on the planet) once said, “Imagine you’re on your deathbed, and standing around your deathbed are the ghosts representing your unfulfilled potential — the ghosts of the ideas you never acted on, the ghosts of the talents you didn’t use. And they’re standing around your bed angry, disappointed and upset. They say, ‘We came to you because you could’ve brought us to life, and now we have to go to the grave together.’”
Ghostly imagery aside, what terrifies me most about that quote is the specter of unrealized potential. So every day, no matter how frightening or stressful, I choose risk. I choose to bet on myself because I want my deathbed to be clear of angry ghosts. I choose to bet on myself because it’s the safest bet I’ll ever make.
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 think what sets me apart from others is my fascination with exploring beauty in genre – the horror genre, in particular, which has been my favorite since I was a young kid watching old VHS tapes that I found both terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure. Part of this fascination comes from growing up in a Latin household, where legends, superstitions and strange tales were baked into the fabric of everyday conversation. We’re a very spiritual people and talk of the paranormal is as common as saying “Good Morning” and “Good Night.” So it’s not a coincidence that I most often write stories about the intersection between the supernatural and the natural world in which we all live.
My stories are certainly designed to scare and get your heart racing (come on, who doesn’t love a good rollercoaster or haunted house attraction?) But beneath all the bloody fun ephemera tied to these signature genre conventions, what I’m REALLY interested in exploring is those real-life fears that we all grapple with, but are too afraid to speak openly about.
I enjoy parachuting an audience into a story that’s already barreling down the track at top speed, while still leaving enough narrative space to engage you on a more profound level – with great characters, warmth, humanity, heart and humor.
Horror has long been considered a “gutter” genre. Most people stick their noses up at it, and don’t give it the respect it deserves. But I’ve always maintained that horror is THE MOST CINEMATIC of all genres because it uses every single tool in the filmmaking kit. It’s a punk-rock genre that’s meant to be transgressive, challenging the status quo and moving the needle forward culturally in a way that no other genre can.
How? By providing a safe space to confront the things that chill your blood about the world that exists outside the theater. By watching horrific situations play out onscreen, you can experience them secondhand through fictional characters, which makes you less afraid and more equipped to face the monsters that live in your head in your waking life. Horror is a form of therapy that works on the subconscious, which is why it’s so powerful. I defy anyone to watch a truly great horror movie, and tell me they didn’t feel profoundly and undeniably ALIVE.
OK, soapbox rant over!
I’m most excited about the prospect of cooking up onscreen nightmares, and sharing them with live audiences of strangers sitting together in the dark in theaters around the world.
I’m most proud of the fact that I dared to dream – that I dared to listen to my intuition, which told me to leave behind a well-paying, comfortable corporate job to live the life of an artist. Has it been easy? Absolutely not! But there’s nothing else I’d rather do with my life. When times get tough (and they often do), what keeps me going is genuine love and passion for the work I do. During a particularly difficult time, a very good friend of mine said, “If you could jump in a time machine and have a conversation with your 10-year-old self, and you told him that he would grow up to write movies for a living, you would blow that kid’s mind!” To that end, I try to make decisions based on what my 10-year-old self (and 100-year-old self) would think about the work I’m doing, and if I’d make those versions of myself proud. If the answer is “Yes,” then I know I’m on the right track.
Lessons learned along the way: It’s always you against you. No one else. Give yourself permission to be your greatest self, and keep going until the wheels fall off. The biggest difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is tenacity.
What I want the world to know about me:
For all my time spent exploring the darker aspects of humanity, I love people. I’m an eternal optimist (and probably the biggest romantic you’ll ever meet).
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?
Can I please skip this question? Happy to answer another one if necessary!
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’m incredibly lucky to have the support of a wonderful family: My parents, my wife and her parents, my beautiful son and a handful of dear friends that always keep a smile on my face, through good times and bad. You can tell a lot about a person based on the people they spend the most time with, and I’m eternally proud to keep such great company. I’m also grateful for every encouraging word ever sent my way by mentors, colleagues and educators that opened my eyes and mind to possibilities I may not have been aware of before we crossed paths.
When I think of success, the thought that lights me up the most is being able to share it with the people I love most.
Instagram: @lvsantana326
Image Credits
David Bracetty, Dan Antkowiak, and Samuel J. Davey.
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
