Meet Paloma Quintanal | Producer

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

Hi Paloma, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in Mexico City, fortunate to have parents who always supported me in everything. In their own way, they made me believe that I was born into a world where anything is possible, and the only limits are mental. I believe this greatly shaped my personality and, above all, my character. From a young age, I knew what I wanted and what I didn’t, and as the years went by, I discovered how important it was for me to achieve professional success, my professional success.

I have always been a lover of entertainment; cinema and theater are among my favorite things in the world. From my earliest memories, I would secretly watch Mexican soap operas in the afternoons, much to my parents’ unawareness, of course. I enjoyed putting on theater productions with my friends or cousins and presenting them at family gatherings, Christmas, etc. On Fridays, my friends and I would gather at someone’s house to make movies. We would literally grab a camera and recreate existing films or improvise and tell our own stories. I remember that during adolescence, when Twilight was a thing, it was our go-to remake every time.

I think growing up with so much creative freedom and surrounding myself with people who shared similar interests and encouraged my creativity was undoubtedly key in becoming the person I am today. I discovered my passion for being a producer in the last years of high school when I realized my interest in fields such as business, administration, and project management. Even in my personal life, I behaved like a producer, always taking on a leadership role in any given circumstance.

I always explore, find, and implement solutions for every problem using my organizational skills, ability to calculate risk and opportunity, and attention to detail. Combining my passion for entertainment with my control-freak personality, I arrived at the result: a producer. Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be here in Los Angeles, living my passion and sharing this story, if it weren’t for everything I experienced, learned, and grew through in Mexico, both personally and professionally, in the years that followed.

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.
My journey into the world of professional production began when I was 19 years old in the year 2015. I was just a third-semester Communication student, and although I was there because I wanted to produce Mexican soap operas, out of curiosity, alongside my university classes, I took a theater production course. As I have always been a lover of theater, I was curious to know the behind-the-scenes, how the staging of a play was made possible. There, one of my classmates was working as a producer for a small theater production, and he invited me and my best friend, who was also taking the course, to work on that play as stage managers. We had zero experience, but saying no was not an option, and we ventured into the unknown. That play was called “Sucia y muy chingona historia de amor” (Dirty Great Love Story), and it truly changed my life. I remember it today as one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The play was much more successful than anyone thought it would be and ran in various theaters in Mexico City for about 5 years. I worked there until mid-2017, and in the meantime, I ventured to produce two plays on my own and worked as a stage manager on two other productions.

In 2017, I had the opportunity to work in Madrid, Spain, for a commercial production company, and without hesitation, I left everything behind and once again ventured into the unknown. I took a semester off from my studies and said goodbye to my years in theater, which I will always carry in my heart. I worked for 6 months as the right-hand person to the CEO of a production company called Aproductions, and that was my first introduction to the world of film production.

After those 6 months, I returned to Mexico to finish my degree, and in the same year, 2018, I started working part-time as a production coordinator for a photo and video production company called Latro Films. At Latro, we produced all kinds of videos, from commercials for major brands like Disney or Business Insider to music festival aftermovies or wedding videos. In 2019, I completed my degree in Communication and became a producer at Latro Films. It was then that I reaffirmed my passion for production and decided I wanted to take it to the next level.

In 2021, I started my master’s in film and television production at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. While studying, I had the fortune to work at Black Valley Films, the company of the Oscar-nominated documentarian Scott Hamilton Kennedy. As soon as I graduated in 2023, I started working as a creative executive and production coordinator for a renowned Academy Award-Winning Film Director.

At the same time, I am embarking on a film festival circuit for two shorts that I recently produced. A documentary short titled “The Party is in the Kitchen,” directed by Laura Medeiros, and a dramedy short film named “Have you ever wanted to kill somebody?” directed by Sebastian Berenguer, which just premiered at the California Women’s Film Festival.

I believe it has definitely not been easy to get to where I am today, but as I look back, I have nothing but good memories of everything I’ve experienced and a lot of gratitude. I am a firm believer that dreams, if we work very hard to achieve them, generally not only come true but also come with a bonus of reward. I still have many dreams to fulfill and many stories to tell, and I am excited about the journey ahead.

Every challenge overcome has been a valuable lesson, and every achievement has been a confirmation that dedication and effort are worthwhile. As I look to the future, I not only visualize my goals but also the path that will lead me to achieve them.

I know the journey may present obstacles, but I am prepared to face them with determination and perseverance. Every chapter of my life so far has contributed to my personal and professional growth, and I am grateful for all the experiences that have shaped me.

In my journey, I seek not only personal success but also the opportunity to inspire others to pursue their dreams. I believe in the importance of sharing stories and motivating those around me. Life is a blank canvas, and I am committed to continue painting my own narrative full of passion, achievements, and, above all, a deep sense of gratitude for every step of the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think LA is one of the most interesting cities that exist, and as a bonus, it’s the city of dreams, which makes it more exciting, diverse, and unique. When I have visitors, I usually like to create an itinerary that covers the entire city, including its hidden gems like Santa Monica or Pasadena, which, by the way, are two of my favorite cities in LA.

Santa Monica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of LA. I love going to Elephante to eat and watch the sunset with one of their famous punchbowls, or parking at the Annenberg Community Beach House, walking along the beach, and then having breakfast or lunch at their beachside restaurant.

Pasadena is like a charming little town; I enjoy strolling through Old Pasadena, going in and out of shops, and stopping at one of its numerous ice cream parlors to buy ice cream for a leisurely walk. For those who enjoy “Afternoon tea,” Pasadena is the go-to place, with many tea rooms that make you feel like you’re enjoying tea time in England.

One of my favorite areas for the variety of restaurants, people, and vibes is West Hollywood. From mysterious and elegant restaurants like Delilah and Laurel Hardware to more casual places like Irv’s Burgers, which serves the best burgers I’ve had in LA. Also, one of my absolute favorite places in LA and around that area is The Original Farmers Market; I love taking people there, grabbing a slice of pizza, and spending the afternoon drinking pitchers of beer.

I also love Silver Lake; I think if you think of LA and its people, you’ll find exactly what you expect in this area. It’s a neighborhood full of cafes and curious places; the people are extremely hipster, and there’s always something interesting happening. Colorful murals adorn the streets, and creativity flows in every corner, from vintage shops to avant-garde art galleries; every corner tells a different story. Silver Lake is like a magnet for those seeking authentic and unique experiences.

Another favorite pastime of mine is taking a leisurely stroll along Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach. Beforehand, I like to swing by Yeastie Boys Bagels to grab one of their delicious bagels. This food truck, among the many scattered across Los Angeles, conveniently parks on Abbot Kinney. There’s a real joy in purchasing a bagel there and savoring it as you wander down the street.

During the summer, I love going to Hollywood Forever Cemetery to watch outdoor movies with friends, finding places with bonfires like Huntington Beach to spend the afternoon, and exploring parks like Griffith Park or Echo Park Lake for picnics. I also love taking advantage of the summer heat to make the most of Malibu. I enjoy going to a seafood restaurant on the beach called Gladstones; it’s very casual and relaxed, but it has a beautiful view, and the food is excellent. Also, I really like spending the day at one of its beaches, watching the surfers while enjoying a picnic with a cool glass of wine. Another must-visit spot in Malibu, in my opinion, is Point Dume; it’s a natural reserve that is truly beautiful, and I think there’s no better place to watch the sunset.

Finally, I believe a must-do in LA is hiking to the Hollywood sign. It’s tough and long, but it offers incredible views, and who wouldn’t want to see the Hollywood sign up close?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story is the result of what my parents instilled in me as I grew up, my friends who were always by my side either doing crazy things with me or supporting me in my craziness, and all the bosses and coworkers I’ve had, for trusting in me and teaching me things that I couldn’t have learned in any school.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paloma_qe?igsh=YzVkODRmOTdmMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/paloma-quintanal-897b10120