Conversations with John Mercado

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Mercado.

Hi John, 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?
I actually started in Mental Health as a Behavioral Specialist. I worked with a lot of young people at schools, jails, and state facilities. I always had a creative side and decided to go into TV and Film Production at Cal State Northridge. But after spending over a decade in TV production, I got tired of making other people’s dreams come true. I saw the big producers come on set and felt I could compete and be just as creative. Inside I had an urge to break free and do my own thing.

So, I started a company called 4Ways Entertainment with my business partners Alex Munoz and David Mansanalez. I produced an award-winning short film for HBO Max called Slipping Into Darkness. After producing the film, I decided to really dedicate myself to writing. I wrote a short film called In Broad Daylight, a film about the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Gang problem. It won Best Short Film at the inaugural Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation Awards. It also won Best Drama at the HBO Latino Awards. It’s been selected in seven film festivals so far.

I feel writing allows me to give a voice to the voiceless in our community. I feel we get stereotyped as characters and how we are supposed to behave. We are so diverse as a community that my goal is to bring that through my content.

I am also a strong advocate for cannabis and safe access but feel it still is the boogeyman in some families. Cannabis has absolutely helped me with my writing, and it allows me to create unique and diverse stories. I’ve had a personal experience with a loved one with an alcohol problem. So, it’s kind of personal for me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As much as I would love to say it has been a smooth road it’s been anything but that. I’ve learned a lot about not limiting myself to anything and learning to keep pushing when I hit a roadblock. Learning to trust people has been the hardest thing to learn but it has to be done. This business is very unique. I always thought becoming a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist was the hardest thing to do. No disrespect to those professions but to be a successful creative, you have to have a lot of things line up. It’s luck, timing, friendships, connections, etc. It’s no wonder it drives people to the point they quit and move out of state. It’s a grind for sure, but when you get a win, it reminds you why you do it. I want to be an inspiration to the kids that feel making it is not in their cards. When I spoke to the kids that had no hope, they were brilliant and creative, but the mind has to want it. It’s like boxing, you put in the work, and you become a champ. If you slack, it’s going to show come fight night. Of course, there are some folks in this business that just want to take advantage of you and see how you can just help them. It sucks but you learn not to let that jade you and give up. You just got to keep moving forward.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a writer/producer and specialize in Film and TV. I like to write about current events especially if it’s a complex issue with a social dynamic. It’s an unbelievable feeling seeing something you wrote come to life. I’m known for bringing realism to my stories. The last thing I want is to portray someone in an incorrect way. For example, in my short film In Broad Daylight, I wrote the characters to be complex and not one-sided. I didn’t want to paint the Sheriff’s Department with one brush. I understand there are deputies that are connected to the community in a positive manner. But the bad apples get all the press. If the Sheriff won’t even admit there is a problem, then we can’t address it.

I’m also known for cranking out the content when there is a deadline. I get a high off writing under pressure, and it allows me to release all these thoughts that are screaming to get out of my head. I swear sometimes I can hear someone whispering in my ear what to write. I’m just glad I was blessed with this ability to create stories.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
It’s really interesting how many different platforms are opening up. What worries me is the gatekeepers aren’t giving many Latino creatives a shot. Especially Chicano creators are snubbed and dismissed. So many times, I hear that the people or audience doesn’t want violent shows, but then The Squid Game gets produced?? I hope that trend changes and we have some ability to get our stories in the mainstream.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://4waysentertainment.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j__merc/