Today we’d like to introduce you to Franklin Fuentes.
Hi Franklin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I remember picking up my dad’s Sony camcorder when I was in my early teens and attempting to make my first films. Horror, of course. This was after my older brother had introduced me to “Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock. That was the beginning of an artistic ongoing journey.
Once I realized I could create the worlds I wanted and could get friends to act them out for me, I knew this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life.
This lead me to wanting to get as much knowledge and experience as I could in order to learn more about the business of filmmaking. My first goal was to learn the inside of it so I started an internship with an L.A. based talent management company. While at the company, I would get on sets and do any work I could do behind the scenes. Most of my earlier work was in music videos. Which explains my love for the synchronization of sonics and visuals that is still apparent in my work today.
From there, I decided to take acting lessons in order to understand actors before attempting to direct them. So I ended up in Malibu, CA learning from the late Teddy Sherman. She then pushed me to act and write. This brought back the love of creating imaginative worlds and characters all over again.
I paused on music video production and decided to go full speed with film.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was smooth at the beginning. Unfortunately, what happens along the way to many creators is that we begin comparing ourselves to our peers and begin criticizing our own work more extensively. Ultimately turning us into our own worst enemies. We forget the love of art that brought us in and begin focusing more on trying to make a living off of it. This mentality is what takes the fun out of it and deters many from continuing the journey.
However, getting around the right circles and support will guide you in the right direction. I have been constantly reminded by family, friends and peers that I have to find the balance with what I do. It is so important to have fun with it while also keeping up with the times and finding ways to always stay enthusiastic and knowledgeable of where the industry is headed.
It is not an easy journey, but it is fun and exciting. You are constantly meeting new friends and learning new techniques. You get around different environments and are constantly being reminded to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Ultimately you begin to learn more about yourself as you constantly grow and learn from your own mistakes. That is the most rewarding part for me. We never stop learning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would consider myself to be more of a writer and director. Although, as most of my colleagues would agree, there is no such thing as being a one role type of artist. I have learned to produce, edit and sound design as well.
I love spending time creating new and interesting worlds. I’ll write for months and then meet with my director of photography and my producer to figure out how to take the script to the visual level it deserves.
My audience can always expect a visual journey with a subtle darker tone when watching any of my films. I always try to layer my projects with a hint of oddness to them. My films tend to be more on the drama genre with a touch of either horror, sci-fi or dark comedy. These add ons tend to make my projects stand out.
Because of my music video background, my fans can always look forward to a unique soundtrack that will guide their journey.
The unexpected twist at the end of most of my films is always fun to experience with a live audience.
What does success mean to you?
Personally, I define success by the amount of people who continue to stick around you after so many years who can still speak highly of you. Considering life is constantly moving us in different directions, those who stay around are a blessing.
At the end of your life, money and materials will not be coming along with you. All you will be taking are the great memories you made along the way and the experiences you had time to make for yourself and others.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.hollyweirdfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyweirdfilms/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoKwRNu8dWIZyQOgmrkGaEw/featured
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6239468/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Image Credits
Renee Lawless Diego Aldabaldetrecu Artsiom Matsveyeu Iaroslav Volchanski James Wright Vincenzo Carubia Amanda Graeff Aron Stevens Antoine Williams Mara D’Alo Fonseca Robin Kawa Astrid Stromdal Eddy Tihane Anton Kettunen
