Meet Miguel Martinez | Filmmaker & Writer

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

Hi Miguel, why did you pursue a creative career?
I remember with absolute clarity the first time in my life that I realized I wanted to pursue a creative career. I remember the first time in my life when I felt a sense of purpose. That time was immediately after the final shot of Guillermo Del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth”. I had just lost someone close to me and I needed some time to process. Instead of staying at home with my family, my dad and I drove around town for a bit and ended up at a rundown movie theater; he thought it would be a nice bonding experience. The screen faded, the curtains went up and people slowly began to ooze out of the theatre. My father leaned over to me to ask me what I thought; I was in stunned silence. I realized I had stories to tell. In these stories, I can reshape my broken family into whatever I wanted. My characters are all dealing with their own family trauma through cathartic horror and get to learn about themselves in the process. I want to bring in my own Mexican culture’s take on this theme and tell our stories about life/death in meaningful ways. I can bring that perspective and I think this is the right space to do it in. Maybe someday, I can help somebody else deal with their trauma the way these filmmakers helped me deal with mine.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My introduction to the industry happened during my senior year when I got the opportunity to capture broll of Texas baseball games on the set of Ken Burns’ documentary Baseball. Fresh out of college, I delved into the TV world on the From Dusk Till Dawn set, gaining valuable insights that unfortunately had to be put on hold due to my epilepsy. Right out of college I had my first seizure due to epilepsy, followed by others. Although I’ve grappled with this condition, progress has been made in recent times to bring it under control. Presently, the predominant challenges in my life emanate from the side effects of the medications I’m prescribed.

Upon moving to Los Angeles, I landed a gig editing for the media company Frederator and simultaneously took on an assistant role at Cinema Libre Studio, a distribution company. Building on these experiences, I ventured into creating my own distribution company, Freakish Films. Here, my focus was on seeking out low-budget films from minority filmmakers who needed support in both finishing the film through post-production and navigating the distribution process.

In the preceding year, I assumed the role of writer/director for a proof-of-concept short film LECHUZA, a project that held profound significance for me on multiple levels. Over the past nine years, doubts loomed over my ability to engage in set work again. While I continued to produce and script projects, my involvement on sets had been confined to the period before my epilepsy diagnosis. The uncertainty surrounding whether stress might trigger an episode, if the demands would prove overwhelming, or if my medication would pose a problem had kept me from actively participating in on-set productions post-diagnosis.

Witnessing the successful realization of this film reassured me that a career in this field remains a viable and fulfilling path for me, personally. It not only reinstated my confidence but also affirmed that creative pursuits are attainable despite the challenges posed by my health.

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?
Oh let’s GO!

So let’s separate this by DAY. Let’s say they are here for a week. This is assuming I can figure out how to not work or something. (The perfect week.)

MONDAY
– Wake up and go to Black Cow Cafe in Montrose for breakfast. Just, trust me.
– The Americana at Brand. For shopping and fun.
– There is usually some kind of convention happening in Pasadena so check the area for something like that. It could be anything from a horror convention to a cat convention. Then dinner.

TUESDAY
THEME PARK DAY! Pick a park, Disneyland or Universal Studios.

WEDNESDAY
– Everyone is gonna be tired from the theme park, so we make breakfast at home and watch a fun movie!
– In the evening maybe take a hike at Griffith Park, followed by the Griffith Observatory.
– Dinner in Weho

THURSDAY
– Santa Monica/Venice day!
– We would go to the little aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier to pet a starfish!
– Definitely eating some frozen lemonade from street vendors!

FRIDAY
– Melrose and Sunset Blvd day! Shopping!

SATURDAY
– Burbank day! Halloween town, thrift stores!
– Porto’s!!!!!!!!!!!!
– Comic book stores

SUNDAY
– Film a movie! lol

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If I had to pick one person to shoutout I think it would have to be Samuel Jimenez. I have known Sam for about 13 years and throughout that entire time, they have always been game to join me on whatever crazy idea we would come up with: whether it is creating a light monster suit for an experimental film, write the comic, QUETZALCOATL, based on Aztec mythology, or produce my horror short film LECHUZA with any off time he had. Sam even flew across the country while filming just to be an extra set of hands on set. I know I can also send Sam a voice message about a random idea I have at 3 in the morning and they will respond the next day to tell me if they think it works or not . That kind of support can’t be bought. I am also here for their endeavors, whenever Sam sends me some of his work, it is some of the most promising stellar ideas ever. I think we will be a creative duo for the rest of our lives!

Website: www.freakishfilms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macabremartinez/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacabreMartinez

Image Credits
Unique Nicole – Getty Images