Meet April Mendoza of Nightshade Collective in Downtown LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Mendoza.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was five years old, I wrote and drew my first picture book. It was about a rainbow fish that had lost its way. My mom made me go to school with my older sister so I just tagged along to my sister’s kinder garden classes and kept myself entertained. I was surprised to find that the students really enjoyed my art. I thought, “maybe I can get good at this”. But I never pursued drawing or creative writing.

When middle school came around, I found a love for dance. I wasn’t very good, but there was something that I really admired about it… I allowed me a space to express myself in a vulnerable state. It wasn’t until I took my first film class junior year however, that everything truly clicked for me. I finally found what I was meant to do. I went on to study film at a local community college (Chaffey College) back in 2011. There, I found a group of filmmakers who I went on to work with for a couple of years. It was the first production company I worked with called “Visual Snackz”. We created skits, shorts, and web series, but everyone went off to do different things and I stayed at Chaffey to complete my education.

After graduating in 2014, I volunteered at the Broadcasting and Cinema department so I could gain access new classes, the editing lab, and help newer students with their projects. That year, I met filmmakers that I admire and still work with today. This is when it all kind of took off. I went on to apply to film schools… specifically UCLA. Unfortunately, I was rejected. It really took a toll on me. I hated rejection. The next year, I tried again. But again, no luck. During these two years of applying to schools however, I worked and worked and worked. I assisted on an American Film Institute (AFI) production where I learned the ins and outs of producing films. I worked with producers in pre-production and production gaining such valuable experience. More than I could ever learn in film school. Being a part of this film inspired me like nothing had ever inspired me before. Being on set was the greatest thing in the world to me.

Immediately after, I decided to direct a music video for an artist I met online. I continued to work on set as much as I could as well as produce friends short films. Anything to get on set and learn more and more about filmmaking. In 2016, I co-founded a creative production team, “Nightshade Collective” that consists of myself and my art team: Ashley Mendoza & Alexa Morales. We produce for diff online platforms like Instagram and YouTube, as well as short films made to premiere at film festivals. Later that year, I decided to continue my education and study film business and writing at Cal State Fullerton. 2018 was kind of a wild year. I directed an experimental film that premiered at the CSUF film festival, got the opportunity to produce my first feature film Debbie and the Devil, directed my first serious short film Hollow Hour, produced a few other projects, and obtained my bachelor’s degree.

Since then, I’ve produced fashion ad campaigns, music videos, and more for Nightshade and continued working on Debbie and the Devil. Producing an indie feature is no joke! Currently, I freelance produce and direct for Nightshade Collective and Wild 7 Studios. We are currently finishing up post for Debbie and Hollow Hour as well as prepping for distribution opportunities and developing other content. 2019 has been a year of growth, change, and planting seeds. From rainbow fish to horror films, creating is what I love most. I’m very excited to see what’s to come next year.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I quick my day job and committed to a full-time freelance life about two years ago, that is when the real struggles began. From having no money and being without work for months at a time, to having mental breakdowns, to going into an industry with zero connections doing something that no one around me was doing… I felt and still continue to feel lost many days. It’s been a rough few years trying to make something out of nothing. Despite these small “inconveniences”, I consider myself so, so fortunate. Almost every other artist goes through these things… and worse. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am beyond thankful for the people and things I have around me who support my dreams and decisions. Specifically my family, my art team at Nightshade, my Wild 7 producing partners, my filmmaking friends that crew on my projects no questions asked, my old high school teacher who gives me access to gear to be able to make content, and my friends who love and support me. I’m very lucky to have them. I love what I do and I’m lucky to be able to do what I do, so those late nights, long hours, desperate moments, anxiety attacks, and failures are all a part of the process.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Nightshade Collective – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Nightshade Collective is a creative production team that specializes in art direction. We have an affinity for horror, finding beauty in darkness, and all things bizarre. We wanted to create a brand through our work and essentially build a fan base that may enjoy the films we put out in the future. We are currently getting into merch. and relaunching our website. Something about us that I’m proud of is that Nightshade consists of all women with a Mexican background. I truly believe we can bring a fresh perspective to the horror and filmmaking world. We are also all related (sisters & cousins) who believe in the value of family in an industry that often does not.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
There’s actually a lot to look forward to right now. We have many projects in development with Nightshade and Wild 7 and we are also venturing into new avenues (merch and episodic content). Projects that have been in the works for the past year and a half are very close to being finished, and who knows… I might be directing my first feature this upcoming year. Not entirely sure how things will pan out but I’m very excited to see how things will change and what the future has in store for us when we finally show the world what we’ve been up to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-pVS9x18-Y5pCVdbi70yww?view_as=subscriber
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightshadecollective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NightshadeCollectiveOfficial/?modal=suggested_action&notif_id=1573074727195872&notif_t=page_user_activity

Image Credit:
April Mendoza. Photo by Alexa Morales; (From left to right) Ashley Mendoza, April Mendoza, Alexa Morales. Photo by Chris Trull.; April Mendoza. Photo by Alexa Morales; (From left to right) April Mendoza, Chris Trull (bottom), Bobby Moss (top), Franziska Schissler. Photo by Alexa Morales;  (From left to right) Beau Robinson, April Mendoza

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