Daily Inspiration: Meet Marciel Delgado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marciel Delgado.

Hi Marciel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From as far back as I can remember, I’ve loved storytelling. If it was on the screen, or on the page, my attention was dialed in to nothing else. As a kid with a bit of an eccentric imagination, I could always turn to stories. The ability to transport myself into another world was what always stuck with me. I began to make worlds of my own and characters to inhabit them. I am an introvert at heart, so writing was my way of expressing myself at a young age.

I initially started out on YouTube reviewing video games when I was a teenager, way before it was the norm. I found it was not only a way I could implement my writing, but make a statement as well. It was also where I discovered my love for voice over which as someone who grew up shy as can be, was initially very daunting. I took that momentum and attended Fullerton College, earning my certification in Radio Broadcasting.

After a few years on air, I still desired a greater creative outlet beyond the frequency of a mic. 

I began to study film and television in a way that went beyond reviewing. I found cathartic resonance in the works of Richard Linklater, Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo Del Toro and Donald Glover. To truly move the soul and evoke some bit of the human experience into eternal motion; That’s everything to me. After enough time I started taking classes, began honing my craft, and eventually directed my first short film with the help of my very talented friends. Since then, I have produced, written and started to work in the industry this past year, which is both an opportunity and a dream.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not in the slightest.

I’m my own worst critic. When you start off making art you have that lithium battery of self-motivation. Sometimes it runs out of juice. Whether that’s through self-doubt or circumstance is simply part of the journey. Loss, acceptance, understanding, regret. Somewhere in that frame is the sparkle of wonder and imagination that I try to keep alive in everything I do. 

I also find that the resources and financial class you are born into can create its own dividend. As much as I want to spend all my time working on every short, feature, podcast, or novel I have in my brain, I don’t have that privilege. I’m second generation Mexican American, and while many doors are opening for minorities, there are a lot that remain closed to Latin filmmakers in this industry. I aim to spearhead the effort in changing that especially for Orange County. All I have is my work and character to speak for. With that comes time, energy, and external pressure. It’s hard work, but I’d rather earn my place at the table then have it given to me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a director, writer, and podcaster. A lot of different words that basically mean I have a lot to say. A few years back I started Pretty Much Geek, a production house, podcast, and editorial blog from the perspective of like-minded artists enthusiastic about pop culture. It’s kind of in the name. Podcasting has freedom that doesn’t exist in radio. I took what I learned in my years on air and applied it to my own show, Pretty Much Geek. 

At PMG we cover a lot of ground from discussing film, and interviewing other independent artists, to dissecting the state of pop culture in the moment. Thanks to my friends and co-hosts over the years, it’s been an outlet that’s a real joy to work on. But the thing that brings me more pride than anything else is how PMG serves as a community to those who do not have one. To me that is a true milestone. This month, we are launching our Summer Drive-in series, which will look back on the summer blockbuster as a genre. I will also be interviewing indie pop artist Hector Gachan, who is both a friend and artist I admire. Both are shows I’m very excited to share, and they will be available on Spotify, Apple and every podcast platform.

From the filmmaking side, I produced, wrote & directed my first short film Dear Hearts and Gentle People a few years ago. It was a labor of love that served as a boot camp for how hard and rewarding directing can be. Each day on set, there was a cathartic rush that both broke my heart and lifted it simultaneously. That’s when I knew I was doing something right. The reception was overall very positive which surprised me, considering it was my first time directing my own work. After that, I produced another short for a friend, which won an award at the Cypress College film festival. In the past year, I had the privilege to work on a feature film, Mid-Century (Dir. Sonja O’Hara) which will be releasing this month from Lionsgate. My time working on it was a crucial and very rewarding experience as a filmmaker. As for the future, I am busy with several feature length scripts and a series I have been working on for some time now. My next short film Twilight Time will be releasing later this year along with a few other personal projects of mine. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Too many to count. Mainly to trust my instinct, both regarding the company that I hold and the stories I want to tell. It’s a finicky balancing act that plagues most but the answer is always center stage. Surround myself with good people. With that in mind, my vision can’t be any clearer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/propheticfallacy/
• Email: Marcieldelgado15@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrettyMuchGeek
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/propheticfalacy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz-E6vcRPZcBIz1hVzddFPw
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3O3JyavrXzTYSDoaRXJa6U?si=9006ec3248824a1c 

Image Credits
Patrick Lestrange Armond Fischer Alonso Castillo John Millstead