Today we’d like to introduce you to Zuzana “Sju” Martinkova.
Hi Sju, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story funnily started far across the ocean. I am originally from Slovakia, so my story started there when I was born, but my passion for producing and directing sparked in my last year of Bachelor Studies in Scotland when I had to create a documentary as a part of my thesis. I had to do all the production process myself, which means pre-production, the actual production when I flew into five different countries on my own and filmed and, of course, post-production when I deep-dived into editing. Even though it was exhausting, I loved it. When my documentary was nominated for the Scottish Student Journalism Award, I realized people might actually like what I do. When I got an opportunity to come and do my Master’s degree here in LA in Film and Media Production, I did not hesitate. Now three years later, I am still here working on myself and currently getting more higher education at UCLA. Over the years, I had a chance to work on many fantastic productions like Big Brother, American Ninja Warrior and even America’s Got Talent. I often work on interdependent feature films and am partially a content creator who focuses on stylish-looking photography.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It wasn’t always easy. It started with me moving here. When it was hardly possible to go to the store in the middle of the pandemic, I moved halfway across the world. Coming from different cultures and being used to the other system, it did take me a moment to get used to the “American lifestyle”. For starters, people don’t walk in LA, rarely cook, and if you try to explain that you want to use public transport, half of the people will give you an ugly look. But all those things make LA. Careerwise, it wasn’t also always a walk through the garden. Finishing my degree over ZOOM and hopping into the LA entertainment industry with no US working background was sometimes bittersweet but undoubtedly worth it. I quickly learnt that the connections you make can take you a long way, and I can’t be grateful enough for all the amazing people I met along the way that I know have my back and I have theirs. And of course, all the time I miss my family, but I always remind myself that this is what I wanted to as much as I miss them, this was my choice.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As my long-term goal, I aim to become a producer/director. But not just the ordinary one. In my personal projects, I like to focus on making movies that bring awareness to different kinds of disabilities or even rare diseases and difficulties that they bring to people. We need more representation on topics like this because it is still shocking to me how many people are ignorant or do not actually know about certain problems these people face daily. The way to my final goals is still pretty long, so as of now, I often work as a Line Producer, 1st Assistant Director or Production Manager. For now, I am the most proud of each of the projects I worked on. A few years ago, I produced a Documentary, “Bullet Away”, that focuses on war correspondents, their lives and, most importantly, why they do this unpredictable job. I traveled to five different countries on my own and met some incredible people with even more amazing stories. I have just finished postproduction on my latest short Film, “How I Sound”, which was recently sent to a round of festivals. This short film falls really close to my heart as, again, it focuses on a person with not an easy destiny and how our mind processes and deals with a life hardship. I think that is also the thing that I would say set me apart from the others. I am not scared to dig into those challenging topics and bring them to life for others to see, recognize and learn.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Uff… Tough one! I have been fortunate enough to experience many unforgettable moments in my life. My favourite childhood memory would be summer at my grandparent’s house. I have 11 cousins, so the summers without phones and social media and surrounded by my family were the best. I moved out to pursue my career when I was 18. So time with my family was and forever will be precious to me. I remember spending most of my days drawing, which has stayed with me until now as I digitally draw and create digital content even now.
Contact Info:
- Website: sjumartinkova.com
- Instagram: sjuziem
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zuzana-martinkova21/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsA8dkFDKR60kCUJCT0VMOw
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/youbysju/
