1. Please tell us something about yourself.
My name is Gerard A. Mendez. I was born in Costa Rica. At the age of 5 I came to America and have been living in New Jersey ever since. I have a corporate video production company (rockout13productions.com) which caters to healthcare providers, Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. On the other hand, I am perusing a career filmmaking as a Director, Screenwriter and cinematographer.
2. How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey?
I’ve always been creative and artistically inclined. I learned to play guitar on my own at a very young age, and wrote a few songs. At some point in my life, I ventured into acrylic painting for some time. However, my passion is indie filmmaking.
3. Who are your role models?
As a writer, I like Anne Rice and George R.R. Martin to name a few. As a filmmaker, among my favorite directors are Ridley Scott, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
4. What inspires you ?
I am inspired by stories. Any type of stories, whether they’re funny, romantic, horror or fictional. However, I find psychological thrillers to be my favorites. Specifically, when the story has strong emotional connections, a diversity of characters and an unpredictable ending.
5. Please tell us about your novel and filmmaking.
I am a storyteller and a visual artist and I use filmmaking to showcase my stories. As a filmmaker, I submerge myself in all aspects of filmmaking, such as cinematography, sound design, lighting, directing, etc. I am very meticulous about storytelling, and it’s difficult to find a good story, so rather than developing other people’s work into a film, I took it upon it myself to become a screenwriter. This led me to write my first book Novel, The Vanishing of Light, which I published in 2017.
6. What’s your most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience is the day I won an award at a Film Festival in New York. It was my first film production, and to have won a Director’s award was among several great indie short films was unforgettable feeling.
7. How are you using different social media channels/online marketing to market your work?
I use social media platforms like Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Gerard.Mdez], Instagram [@Gerard_M_Filmmaker] to post some of my indie film still shots, thoughts on cinematography or film editing in general, and sometimes behind the scenes pictures.
8. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
I have no regrets in terms of anything regarding my writing or filmmaking. Yes, there are things; a lot of things I wish I new or done better, but at end every project was also a learning experience.
9. What are the success strategies/secrets that helped you in your journey?
Being self-motivated is a very powerful tool because in the world of art there can be too many points of view and to many critiques. My most important strategy is to move forward no matter how challenging a project is. If I feel a project is out of my limits, it’s best not to commit to it.
10. What keeps you going when things get tough?
Do it right or don’t do it. There are times where a project becomes overly challenging and it seems easier to give up or cut corners… but than I realize that it is my reputation, and that I owe to myself to give it my best.
12. How can people connect with you?
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Gerard.Mdez
Instagram, @Gerard_M_Filmmaker
13. Any message for our readers…
Pursue your passion, even if it’s a hobby. In order to do this, find people who are into that passion and connect with them, but most important; surround yourself with people who encourage and celebrate your achievements.