Meet Mercedes Garcia | Filmmaker

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

Hi Mercedes, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As a kid, I was blessed to be gifted in both the humanities and sciences. I’m naturally curious and I think I just wanted (and I think still want to) understand how the world works.

I started writing chapter books at the age of 6 and kind of always knew I was a writer. However around 8th grade I got really into physics and while I hated algebra loved geometry, trigonometry and calculus. I was actually so good at physics and math that my senior year of high school I was one of three students (and the only girl) chosen out of the entire school to attend a lecture and dinner with Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

My physics teacher was kind of a hard ass and made us write lists of potential questions that he’d cull to make sure we didn’t sound stupid and upheld the image of the school and therefore his image. We spent weeks picking out the perfect three questions.

But funnily enough, I can’t remember the question I asked.

What I do remember is walking up to the microphone in a ballroom full of about a hundred the smartest (most arrogant) boys in the state. I remember their stares as I introduced myself.

“Hi my name is Mercedes Garcia, thank you so much for being here.”

“Nice to meet you Mercedes. Tell me, what do YOU want to be when you grow up.”

I remember my cheeks growing hot and my dress suddenly feeling too tight and my heels digging into my feet.

At this point in my life I was strongly considering becoming an astrophysicist, but what came out instead was –

“I want to be a writer.”

To which the entire room laughed.

I remember looking over at my physics teacher and him avoiding my gaze as he sunk into his chair.

Almost everyone has said they wanted to be a physicist, and we got a few engineers, but to pick a profession in the arts was blasphemy. My answer had proved the point that I was probably a diversity pick and had no right to be considered a true intellectual.

To my gratitude, Neil hushed them.

“No, no, now let me ask you something. Do you write from the heart?”

“Yes.” I answered.

“Then you are a writer.”

He then addressed the room.

“You don’t need any certification to tell you what you are.”

Neil then looked me directly in the eyes as he leaned into his microphone.

“If you write from the heart, you’re a writer.”

And that was the moment that I truly decided I would pursue storytelling seriously and exclusively.

In regards to film, I’ve kind of always been in the industry as a kid actor and model.

However, when I originally moved away from books, I thought I wanted to write scripts for video games, but in high school we had different academies, one or business and medicine and I was in the one for the arts.

So my senior year they paired me with a mentor who was a writer/director for film because they couldn’t find anyone in the gaming industry and he brought me on set a few times and was like “How do you know this stuff?” to which I shrugged.

Then he said “I dunno, you’re really bossy, I think you need to be a director.”

So here I am.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a writer, director, producer and occasional actor, and everything I make or choose to be a part of has something to say about either the human condition or society.

I love exploring what it means to be human and I often use my art to do that. I’m only 26, but I’ve lived many lives in the short amount of time I’ve been on this planet. I love using these experiences I’ve collected to hopefully say something that will inspire or resonate with someone.

I’ve always said that if just at least one person relates to whatever I’ve made, then I’ve done my job.

I think what sets me apart, especially in this industry where the perception is that it’s all glitz and glam, is that I approach my work as being of service.

When I write, I’m in service of others – the imaginary reader that will hopefully relate to what I’ve written.

When I’m a director and a producer, I’m in service of the story, and to the individual people in my cast and crew. My job is to make a compelling story that the people working on the film can be proud of. And while they’re working, my job is to also make their job easier. By finding the resources, being a better communicator, treating them with kindness and gratitude and acknowledging their efforts.

Anyone is free to tell me otherwise, but I believe that I’m a good director because I approach filmmaking this way.

And while I started off in the entertainment industry as a “Got Milk” baby in the late 90’s, I attribute this to my work in traditional service industries.

I’ve worked in retail, the restaurant industry, was a driving instructor and even worked at a doggy day care.

At each job I was in service of someone.

My job was to make their life better and that’s hopefully what I’m doing with film – making people’s lives richer and fuller for having seen my art.

This journey has definitely not been easy.

If you want to be in this business because you want to get rich and famous, you’re gonna be in for a bad time.

I genuinely think robbing a bank would be easier.

Like I’ve said I’ve worked since I was a baby, but have seriously pursued this when I started working as a PA at 16.

I’ve since worked in almost every crew position and have even worked on the business side in development and in curation for film festivals.

What I’ve learned along the way is that there’s no set path to success. Everyone’s journey is so different that there’s no point in comparing yourself to someone else.

There’s a saying that most people in this industry who are successful have told me and it’s “most people aren’t successful because they quit too early.” If you stay long enough, you will make it.

But to be able to stay long enough, you truly have to love this business.

If there’s any wisdom I can impart it’s coincidentally the theme of my upcoming film, a currently untitled “Ghost Ballet” –

The most important thing for artists to remember, especially in this industry is that we should find happiness in the journey to success. And the root of happiness is gratitude.

When you’re grateful you’re not comparing, you’re focusing on what you love and when you do that you are fulfilled and when you’re fulfilled success follows.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you hang out with me, you know you’re in for some good food.

We’re definitely hitting up the San Gabriel Valley, where I grew up for some authentic Asian food. I want to shout out Capital Seafood on Garvey in Monterey Park. But in the SGV you can literally just pick a random place as you’re driving by and it’ll almost be guaranteed a 6/10.

I love movies so we’re definitely seeing a film at an art house theater like the Nuart or American Cinematheque. Then just for the experience of a more intimate dine-in theatre we’re going to specifically the iPic in Pasedena. (I’d like to humbly request they bring back their lamb and mashed potatoes to the menu)

I like space, so we’re also going to the Observatory and we can do a little yoga at Griffith Park when we’re done.

I’m also a huge nerd and love Dungeons and Dragons so and video games so at night we can go to the Guildhall in Whittier and Player One in North Hollywood.

We’re also for sure hitting up La Guelaguetza for some authentic Oaxacan mole and relaxing at Wi Spa after.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to primarily the universe, but then my mom who has always supported me, and by extension my family.

Website: https://straycatsproductions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themercedesgarcia?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==