Meet Miguel Gallardo | Filmmaker & Visual Artist

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

Hi Miguel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Forming For The Xperience into a business came several years after starting to do photography and music videos. I would get the occasional client but my main focus for picking up a camera was a medium to get my ideas out. As the ideas started to grow, I knew I needed to legitimize and expand my circle; which was also happening a bit naturally the more I created and put my work out there. The more I learned, the more opportunities I would get and it inspired me to turn For The Xperience into an LLC and take my personal brand as more than just a name and motto.

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’m honestly torn between saying find that one thing you love and stick to it or create where you feel called to. The occasional but loud voice in my head critiques my own level of focus but at the same time Ive had many experiences I would not take back. I’ve been a photographer on tour in Europe, to filming a global skin campaign, to photographing private meetings in government facilities. I like the randomness of where I am called. I think that is what sets me apart. I am like a Swiss Army knife and am usually end up in places that I have a genuine interest, keeping me engaged in the moment, focused and light hearted.

I attribute my journey and success to focusing on my craft, creating my own projects and keeping a good energy on set.

What I am most excited for is my next project. It is a documentary series about a sport I’ve played my whole life (volleyball), set in one of the countries my family is from, Puerto Rico. This project has been consuming my mind and creative energy for the past year since the idea was sparked. Follow me on socials to find out more >:-)

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I’m an outdoorsy person so naturally our trip would end up out of the city honestly. I’m quick to spark a road trip, end up at a Great Lake, National Park, different state or country. So before I get into city things, at some point we’d take a detour, maybe go up and check out some art at the DIA Beacon, visit some tasty upstate breweries, hike up by Break Neck or the Adirondack Trails, take a ferry to Bannerman’s Island, Now we’d be talking my language.

But I love a good city trip as well. We’d check out a Yankee game, experience greatness. Bronx Brewery (clearly I’m from the Bronx). Quick ham and egg and cheese on pan sobao at a tiny bakery in Jerome (been going there since I was a baby). We could go to the city, visit the international Center of Photography, see what cool screenings are happening at the Metrograph, grab an artichoke slice, get a bite at Trapizzino. My go spots for partying is the Afueho parties put together by a group of friends who always play amazing music.  I could always go for some stand up comedy too, old friends like Talent Harris are always out there making people laugh, just don’t sit in the front if you’re a shy spirit.

This is me just riffing haha. There’s so much to do in and around NYC and we only touched 2 boroughs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve learned from so many people along this windy road of the creative world. First, I’d like to thank my family who always hears out my crazy ideas and are always there to advise me when I’m down, and celebrate with me when I’m up. The same goes for my group of friends. Chris Toro, who started his own production company called Matador Pictures, is my right hand man when it comes to all of my personal productions. Having that person to talk ideas, dreams, brainstorm, producing, movies is something that isn’t taken for granted. I also have to shout out my friends and mentors Rob Dume & Dana, who throws challenges at me, opportunities and helpful feedback. I’ve also made some more recent friends who not only are experts in their craft, but share similar visions, enjoy a good time and reciprocate support. Those would include Neivy, Arturo, Lia, Izzy, Mark Elzey, and Israel Riqueros. Not only am I a fan of their work, but I get to call them friends. This pushes me to grow in my craft.

Website: forthexperience.com

Instagram: @forthexperience