Rising Stars: Meet Ramos Smith of Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramos Smith.

Hi Ramos, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ramos Smith, I’m an independent filmmaker based out of Burbank, California.​ Before I went into filmmaking, I served in the United States Marine Corps in Field Artillery, earning the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.​

I also come from a very big family, I have six siblings (4 brothers, 2 sisters). as well as multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.

When I was young, my love of film was ignited by watching movies like: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Clerks, The Godfather, etc. Watching films opened the door to an entire universe of imagination. I was captivated by the characters, the worlds, the adventure, and the feeling that anything was possible with each movie I consumed.

But even as a kid, I noticed something else.

There weren’t many people who looked like me in most of these films.

As a mixed-race child—half Black and half Filipino—I rarely saw someone who reflected my own experience in the movies and stories I loved. I didn’t see many people who looked like me, or people whose identity felt as complicated and beautifully mixed as mine.

Still, that absence never diminished my love for film. If anything, it made me more curious. I wanted to understand the magic behind the stories that had captured my imagination.

And so I fell down a rabbit hole.

I started learning everything I could about filmmaking and the people behind the camera. I discovered directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas and Martin Scorsese. I began to understand that movies weren’t simply something you watched—they were something someone had imagined, created, and brought to life.

Something clicked.

It wasn’t just that I enjoyed the movie. For the first time, I looked at the screen and thought, “I want to do that. I want to make movies.”

That realization changed the direction of my life.

So I applied to film school.

And that was the beginning of my journey—not just to become a filmmaker, but to become the kind of filmmaker I once wished I could see.

I graduated college in 2015 but still felt woefully unprepared to enter the industry. So I initially served in the United States Marine Corps after college. But still, my love of films never left me.

After I finished my contract with the USMC, I returned to the industry not long after, working in post production professionally for a number of years. I worked at Warner Bros Studios for 5 years and have professional credits with a number of other studios, like: Netflix, Amazon Studios, Apple TV+, and A24.

I have made a number of my own projects over the years, both short films and feature films, as a writer/director. I only became a full-time filmmaker this past year.

It has been an incredible journey to get to where I’ am now in my career.

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?
There were definitely challenges along the way, and honestly, some of them have had a profound impact on the person and filmmaker I’ve become.

One of the biggest challenges was my time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Serving my country was an incredibly meaningful experience, but it was also demanding in ways that are difficult to fully explain. At the same time, I had to put my filmmaking aspirations on hold. I had already started pursuing filmmaking, so stepping away from something I was passionate about for several years was difficult. There was always that question in the back of my mind: “Will I still be able to pursue this when I come back?” It felt like I was putting one dream on pause to fulfill another responsibility.

And when I eventually returned to filmmaking, I realized that the path wasn’t going to be as straightforward as I had hoped. My career has had a lot of starts and stops. In 2020, COVID brought the entire industry to a standstill. Then, just as things began to move forward again, the 2023 Writers Guild strike created another period of uncertainty and disruption throughout the industry. There have been moments when I’ve felt like I was finally gaining momentum, only to have circumstances outside of my control force me to stop and reassess.

But I think those experiences have ultimately taught me something very important: success in this industry isn’t always about how quickly you get to where you want to go. Sometimes it’s about having the determination to keep moving forward, even when the path doesn’t look the way you imagined it would.

The Marine Corps taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to keep going when things become difficult. My experiences in filmmaking have taught me patience, adaptability, and the importance of continuing to create even when opportunities aren’t always there. Looking back, I don’t necessarily see those interruptions as failures or lost time. I see them as chapters that helped shape my perspective and made me more committed to this career.

I’ve learned that my journey doesn’t have to be a straight line to be meaningful. There may have been pauses, setbacks, and unexpected detours, but I’m still here, still creating, and still moving forward. And honestly, I think that makes the journey—and whatever comes next—that much more meaningful.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an independent filmmaker with a professional background in post-production, as well as experience writing and directing short films and music videos. I’m currently developing my first feature film, which I’m planning to direct next year.

Over the years, I’ve directed more than 30 short films, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have several of them recognized at film festivals. My short film One-Shot won at the Global Shorts Film Festival and received an Honorable Mention at the New Hollywood Director Awards. Another film, Dating Is Hard, was a four-time semifinalist at various film festivals.

I’m especially proud of my most recent project, Moonbeam, which follows a U.S. Marine struggling with PTSD who checks himself into therapy. Making the film was both a grueling and incredibly rewarding experience, and I was fortunate to collaborate with real Marines I had previously served with. Moonbeam is currently making its way through the film festival circuit.

As for my style and what sets me apart as a filmmaker, I’m passionate about telling diverse stories that explore complex ideas around identity, masculinity, and human connection. I’m particularly interested in examining toxic masculinity, what “true masculinity” actually means, and the different ways we experience and express love—not just romantically, but through family, friendship, and the process of repairing relationships after heartbreak. Ultimately, I want to tell stories that challenge audiences while still feeling deeply human and relatable.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and to me, it will always be the greatest city in the world. There’s so much I love about L.A.—its rich history, its incredible diversity, and, most importantly, the people who give this city its identity. You can meet people from virtually every background and walk of life here, and somehow, all of those different stories come together to create what makes Los Angeles so special.

But if I’m being completely honest, one of my favorite things about this city is our sports culture. I’m a huge fan of the Dodgers, the Sparks, and the Lakers. I know that probably isn’t the inspirational answer people expect, but there’s something really special about going to a game and feeling that sense of community. Some of my favorite memories growing up in L.A. are going to Dodger Stadium with my dad and watching a game together. Those moments have stayed with me, and I think that’s what I love most about this city—the memories you create here and the people you get to share them with.

As for my least favorite thing about Los Angeles? Without question: the traffic and parking! But I suppose that’s part of the price you pay for loving this city.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ramoscsmith.com/
• Instagram: @ramos.c.smith
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramos-c-smith-356419194/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncut_films_
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10288575/?ref_=fn_t_1