Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Rojas G.
Elena Rojas Garcia is a Colombian artist from the city of Medellin, based in Los Angeles, CA. She was raised by her grandmother, Miriam Alvarez, who taught her the value of education and instilled in her a love for the arts.
Elena is trained in Photography and Dramatic Arts in Colombia. She has been part of several Film, Television, and Commercial Projects.
Based in Los Angeles, CA, she has created several series of Portrait Photography and has participated in cinematographic and theatrical projects. One of those Theatre Performances, Aprender a Caer, voted “Best Work” with which she traveled to Sydney, Australia to Perform.
With more than 15 years of experience in the film and photography industry, Elena has thrived as both actress and filmmaker. Elena is currently focusing on her acting career and her passions as a still photographer. Recently, she served as a Unit Photographer for several thesis films for the American Film Institute. She is also part of an Educational Pilot Program for the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles; serving as an Acting Teacher and supporting the creative process for youth with high social vulnerability. Elena considers herself a “Maker,” for using resources at hand, that inspire her, for her creations.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I grew up without parents, raised by my grandmother Miriam, in a city with violence and difficulties, where each day was a struggle to get to the next day. An environment where I could easily have chosen the path of drugs, crimes and I don’t know what else, but thanks to my grandmother my sister “Lina Marcela” and I got ahead, we had an education and we chose the path of art and we learned to stand up for ourselves. In my case, I studied photography and audiovisual, doing the work with a camera borrowed from my colleagues. I think that if you really want you can. A hard road with too many turning points, and even so, here I am with more wishes than ever to continue creating, to give to the community and give those who are where I was and they just need an opportunity for a new path.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As an Artist, Creator, Maker I am a lover of the beauty of each individual, and I want each one to love himself as he-She-It is. Each moment is unique and unrepeatable, I like to pause and listen to what that moment has to say. I am an old soul that is what a great friend of mine says, I mix novelty with tradition and I see beauty where perhaps nobody is looking.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
As a person, My Grandmother Miriam Alvarez de Mesa. She was the most sweet and strongest woman I ever met. She is my inspiration, my guide, my all. As an actress, I had great teachers and mentors in my life, Fernando Franco @francocuentos, my theater teacher when I was a teenager and I learned to perceive the world differently. The Chilean filmmaker Dunav Kuzmanich made me unlearn what I learned and learn from scratch, I was his worst student in the acting workshops, it was difficult for me but thanks to him I did begin a path that I’m still following so far. Juan Pablo Felix, @juanpafelix a severe teacher, his techniques and rules were difficult to follow, because I always wanted to do everything well, and I learn to fall and jump and try again, I learn how the Ego can make you blind. He was the first true director, and I had already been directed many times but never really, as actors we often have to do the work alone, but with him was the first time that Actor and Director created together and brought out the best in the scene, together bring out the best of me as an Actress. Yesid Leone Moreno, each class was a leap into the unknown, as always I wanted to hit everything and ended up doing the opposite. In Photography and cinema, Ligia, Photography Teacher of the Academia Superior de Artes in Medellin, She saw my love in photography and gave me her camera, I still have it. Juan Zapata @juanzapataoficial gave me his sensitivity to observe and the need to be aesthetic in every step we take to create. Cris -Ian Garcia @crisxian, my strongest critic, urged me to be a perfectionist and opened the doors to a world of practice and experience in Los Angeles. Thanks to all that brought me here.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenarojasfilm/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenarojasfilm?lang=en
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/elenarojasphotographer/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Elena Rojas G., Cris-Ian Garcia, Eduardo Iván Muñoz (walking con the wall), Fernando Garces (Elena en pasos de heroe)
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