Meet Sebastián Rea | Writer, Director

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

Hi Sebastián, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Getting your foot in the door in the film industry is never easy. Especially if you’re a young immigrant living in Queens, NY. My parents wanted me to be a doctor, or a lawyer, which are great careers, but film was always my passion. It called to me when I was 5 years old and it never let go. I needed to put myself in spaces where I would be exposed to the film community. I took it upon myself to find where the film festivals played for example, and i went to meet everyone there! I made it a point to network and emailed everyone i wrote. I asked for internships, entry level jobs, even chances to just shadow. Then I started to submit my films to festivals, every festival, and i went to build my own community. No one was going to open the door for me, I needed to knock it down myself. This is what I tell young people trying to break it in. You need to apply to festivals, artist development programs, and just be in spaces that expose you to the film world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a filmmaker, i am most excited about giving the hollywood treatment to characters of color. Specifically Indigenous Latinx and queer characters. I remember how important it is to feel seen on the screen and want to create more content that celebrates us. I want to see POC leads in scifi stories, romcoms, and action heros, instead of being supporting characters. We are more than the trauma the word “marginalized” implies. We have complex stories that I want to develop. Having a seat at the table to be able to tell these stories behind the camera ensures authentic representation. We have to make sure we are telling our stories, instead of the typical older white hetero male system.

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?
I just moved to LA recently so I’m still learning all the cool spots. That being said, my goto’s right now are MOFONGO’S and PORTO’S in North Hollywood. I love my Latin cuisine, and these two spots make me feel “home.” VIsiting the art museums and the academy museum also is my home away from home. Whenever I need inspiration or just need time to meditate, I spend the day walking around those museums. Finally, hiking, spending time in the sun, and going to the movies feeds my soul.

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?
I want to dedicate this shout out to my high school teachers that believed in me. They were the first ones to suggest artist programs that would cultivate my vision. They gave me the hope that it was possible. Then I want to shout out these programs themselves for creating spaces for me to grow. They allowed me to stand on their shoulders and now I want to do the same for others.

Website: www.sebastianrea.com

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