Today we’d like to introduce you to Freddie Lopez.
Freddie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up for me was pretty tricky because I was never the kid that would easily make friends. I was timid, and I would always freeze up in big crowds. As a young teenager, I had so much to say, but I could never find a way to express it. It wasn’t until I found my craft, photography, and film, that’s when everything changed for me. Although I had many obstacles on this journey, I couldn’t allow anything to get in the way of my dreams. My mom, dad, brother, and sister pushed me when I was younger to reach my fullest potential, and I am very grateful for that. I started to gain a presence on social media by posting my work, and it truly opened up many doors for me. It was tough being a creator in a small town in Texas. I couldn’t build connections or grow much as an artist. After graduating from high school, in the summer of 2018, my family and I took a trip to California, and that’s when I found my dream school. I knew it would be difficult to make that profound change not only for me but for my family, especially. It took a lot emotionally and financially, but with my family’s support, we made it happen. A few months later, I began my first class at The Los Angeles Film School, and it was more than I could’ve ever imagined.
Great, 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?
The biggest struggle for me along this journey was being raised in a small town in Texas, where I was surrounded by people not seeing the more prominent “picture” or following through with their wildest dreams. It wasn’t easy at first because I didn’t have people around me that had the same drive as I did at the time. Most people were following their parent’s footsteps, and that’s just how they were raised. I always knew what I wanted when I was younger, and I didn’t allow a single soul to get in the way of reaching that. After moving out to California, I have had many struggles dealing with my family, not only being here by my side but also adjusting to a whole new lifestyle. I had to leave everything I ever knew back home. By making that change, I had to grow up fast and learn how to not always depend on my loved ones. Attending college was very scary at first, I think for most teenagers it is. From meeting one of my best friends, Zach and his family treated me like their own, meant the world. Outside of college, getting a job and maintaining a healthy teenage life was sometimes hectic. If I didn’t have the opportunity of meeting some amazing people at my school, I don’t know how far I would have gotten here. The friends I made kept me sane and continued to push me in everything. I’m forever grateful for every single person that has crossed my path here in California.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
In my eyes, I like to identify myself as a creator in the entertainment industry. I am ranging from photography to filmmaking. I remember always having a camera in my hand when I was a toddler. I would take photos and videos on any device I could find. When my passion for photography grew even more, my parents purchased my first camera, and everything went up from there for me. If we’re talking about photography, I focus mainly on fashion. There’s something about putting together these concepts, whether it’s a streetwear or swimwear shoot.
Being in the film industry has opened up my eyes. Focusing on Cinematography and Production Design has given me the power to tell stories on another level. I never really think about how big or how little the film project is. The truth is you never know who’s going to watch or how far a film project will get one day. I put my all into whatever I put my name on. I’ve always been that way growing up. I never like to settle; I’m always changing and growing through my craft. This creative outlet is a place where I only have to worry about my creative ideas and to capture them in the form of visualization. Documenting people helped me get out of my comfort zone, and it pushed me to communicate with others. From building a social media following through my art to seeing my work across all social media platforms, it gave me the confidence I needed all along.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far was seeing my work published in a fashion magazine for the first time. It was always my biggest dream, and to see it happen at such an early point, was honestly everything I needed to get that motivation to reach my biggest goals. Another huge moment for me was writing my first ever short film along with directing it. Beginning at The Los Angeles Film School, I went in without ever thinking about directing. It wasn’t until my teacher, Sasha Rendulic, motivated me into attempting to write/direct a short. At first, I was indecisive, but I told myself I came here to take risks, and that’s exactly what I did. Working on my first short, “Hope,” definitely taught me a lot, and I am so happy with the opportunities it has brought me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11406872/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr11
- Email: Freddielopez99@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_freddielopez/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4bksfmdtS_0W9mCTN-FJ7w
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