Meet Mike Cuenca: Writer & Director

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

Hi Mike, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It’s the need to tell stories. The need to be able to connect with someone. I make movies for myself. Subjects that I relate to or would want to see portrayed in an offbeat way or find interesting. So the ultimate goal is to find other people that see themselves in something one creates. You feel less alone with your thoughts, or with your humor, or anger, or flights of romance. So… to find an audience that gets it. It’s like when you meet a special someone and you’re two peas in a pot.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a zero-budget filmmaker. I’ve made four feature films in the last twelve years on a dime. I’ve been shooting my fifth one since 2018. I make these pseudo-philosophical character studies. It has definitely not been easy (LOL) and it takes a lot of commitment, determination, and sacrifices. I’ve given up the chance to have these lucrative jobs that would employ the bit of talent I have, in order to keep creating the things I’ve wanted to create.

I’d like anyone who approaches my stories to know that they’re all a labor of love, and that lots of compromises were made to be able to complete them. They are as good as they can be under the circumstances (aka having no money), considering that I also wear lots of hats. So be kind, rewind, and give them a couple-gos from various perspectives.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hmm. Los Angeles?

So this would be a post-pandemic world. Or pre-pandemic. I would take them to Magnolia Park and show them Halloweentown and the Mystic Museum and Dark Delicacies. Grab cortaditos at Porto’s. Grab lunch at Pinnochio’s (their lasagna is fantastic). House of Secrets is a cool comic book shop in the area, go there too.

*Would also book a tour at Lost Stills Distillery.

Catch a double feature at the New Beverly or the Egyptian Theater. If we’re in party mode– hit the Rainbow Room and Sunset Strip for some rock and roll goodness. If not, dive bars downtown (if those are still around). Late nite grub at Toi on Sunset. 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?
Dan Rojay. Fellow writer/musician. Joey Halter. Filmmaker/local weirdo.

Website: http://bit.ly/37YMTs2

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecuenca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeCuenca_

Facebook: http://facebook.com/themichaelcuenca/?viewas=

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj4Ta0gKSJpQJdQiPVBMfcw

Other: https://letterboxd.com/mikecuenca/