Meet Zair Montes | Actress, Producer, Writer

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

Hi Zair, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I really wanted to take control over my career and my journey as an actress and film producer. My thinking process was to create those opportunities for me and others that I wasn’t getting from the industry. I wanted to play different roles and write and produce more authentic content. That made us create Golden Ceiba Productions, which gave me the opportunity to not just work doing what I love but to learn about production, postproduction, writing and many other things that are so pivotal in the film industry.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Turning an Art or creative endeavor into a business is, in my opinion, one of the most difficult things to do. Art is subjective, the distribution of content (i.e selling movies) is not as straight forward as selling furniture or real state. In that regard, overcoming challenges (from changes in industry trends, to financing projects, generating ROI and finding exhibition, just to mention a few) is part of the daily job. Sometimes it can be exhausting, you can get burned out and even discouraged, but if this is what you are meant to do, you keep going and you find the way to learn from your mistakes and do it every time better. Focus, hard work, faith, an open mind, joy, perseverance and a lot of patience are some of the key elements I have learned to incorporate in my journey as I keep chasing my dreams every day.

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.
If my friend is visiting me in New York, for sure our day would start with a cup of espresso coffee, and right after I’d take her/him for a walk in Central Park or a bike ride along Hudson river. We’ll stop for a protein shake and then get back home. Once at home, I’d cook a nice brunch which most likely will include “arepas” (typical Venezuelan food), eggs, salad, a beautiful cheese board, etc. (I love cooking). If it is her/his first time in NY, I’d take him/her to walk Brooklyn bridge, or the High Line and/or just hang out in the West Village followed by a stop for a good flat white and dessert. Depending on what kind of food she/he is craving for dinner we will end up in one of the many amazing restaurants in NY, and right after, we will have a great Jazz night at the Zinc Bar, or the Blue Note. If my friend has more time to spare, I’d take her/him to see a Broadway play like Hamilton or Shakespeare in the Park, and maybe we’d go to the Met, or Guggenheim Museum and we will close with a salsa dancing night, most likely at Verlaine Bar at the Lower East Side.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to my partner at Golden Ceiba Productions, Guillermo Ivan. He motivated me to take risks, and taught me a lot about filmmaking. I’ve always had his back, specially in those moments when I have had to jump without really knowing what I was doing. For instance, the first time I produced a movie, I got all his support and help. That movie (Habana Instant) changed the trajectory of my life, it made me fall in love with the filmmaking process, and the experience motivated me to produce and learn more.

Website: https://zairmontes.wixsite.com

Instagram: @zairmontes

Twitter: @zairmontes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realzairmontes/

Other: threads: @zairmontes

Image Credits
Eduardo Fermin