Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Cardenas
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hey Everyone! My name is Michael Cardenas, I’m a Filmmaker, Photographer, and Serial Entrepreneur.
I started working in Entertainment back in 2009, My career started in Music, Audio Engineering, and Tour Managing. I later transitioned to Filming Tours and Music Videos. I fully transitioned to working professionally in Film in 2013.
I have been focused on two different sides of the Film Business, One as a Creative, and One as a technician. As a creative I’ve Directed Commercials, Music video, and Short films. As a technician, I worked on some of the largest productions the business has to offer, from Feature films, Episodic Television, National Commercials, and everything in-between.
My work as a Film Technician began working as a Camera Utility, working up to 2nd AC, then 1st AC, Steadicam Operator, and Director of Photography. As a member of The International Cinematographers Guild I am classified as a First Assistant Cameraman but for Non-Union gigs I work as a Director of Photography and Steadicam Operator.
Working as a Professional Film Technician has given me the ability to let my skillsets serve as a tool for creativity so that my work as a Creative has a solid foundation. Over the last 15 years I’ve developed the Creative and Technical skillsets to feel very confident with the next phases of my journey.
While I still plan on working as a technician, the next chapter of my entertainment journey is focused on my work as a Creative. In 2023 I started my own Agency, Creativa NYC is a Creative Agency and Production studio with locations in New York City & Los Angeles, we are primarily focused on the Advertising and Marketing Space but have produced several Narrative and Music Video projects. Our Los Angeles location features a Micro-Stage for Tabletop, Product, Interviews, and we also have our own in-house Post-Production facilities to be able to service our clients from Concept to Deliverables.
Outside of my work in entertainment I’ve recently started a new company with my wife Jeannette, Fancy Pup Treats is an All Natural, Single Ingredient, Dog Treats and Chews company based in Southern California. In Early 2024 we received all of our Licensing and began to sell our Dog Treats at the Malibu Farmers Market. Our product was so well received we have expanded into over 10 Farmers and Pop-Up markets across SoCal and have now began to expand into retail locations Nationwide.
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?
Being an entrepreneur most certainly isn’t an easy path, there’s always a problem requiring creative solutions, extensive planning, and putting in the hours when nobody else will. Regardless of all the challenges involved in being an entrepreneur it’s the most rewarding journey. Nobody is coming to save you, there are no guaranteed paychecks, and you’ve got to work harder than everybody else but when you hit those goals it’s the best feeling in the world.
Being an owner of several businesses is a constant redirection of energy, always reanalyzing your schedule and other resources to appropriately prioritize and execute on all the responsibilities involved. Running businesses can be highly lucrative and I’ve made a lot of money over the years but that reward doesn’t come without risks. I consistently carry a stress load and debt load that would astonish the average person but without a doubt utilizing credit has been one of the great multipliers in my entrepreneurial journey. Utilizing credit has allowed me to maintain full control of my businesses without need for outside investment or venture capital but with that comes a great deal of responsibility and stress.
If you’ve got an idea, don’t wait for anyone to give you permission to build your business, just get out there, create a plan, put in the work, and generate some sales.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My professional roots in Directing and Cinematography truly flourished working with Spacecam Systems with Academy Award winner Ron Goodman. My time at Spacecam was focused on Aerial Cinematography and Arm Car work. Through Spacecam and Ron I was able to work with Chase Car Inc, Pursuit Systems, TCC Cranes, and Ultimate Arm.
Spending so much time working with world class specialty camera movement tools led me to be mentored by some of the most talented people in the industry. My skillsets with Stabilized Camera Systems led me to work with Easy Peasy Films and Stunt Driver Nigel Hudson. We have collaborated working with major brands such as Nike, Wrangler, Barbie, Jaguar, and Lexus.
My work as a Director & Cinematographer has been primarily focused in the Short Form world, Commercials, Branded Content, Music Videos, and Short Films. Through my company Creativa NYC I was able to recently Co-Direct a series of short films with Multi-Media Artist Kendalle Getty on the Video Art portion of her Hostile Home art installation which is currently on a nationwide tour.
Moving forward my goal is to focus on my Agency and working with brands that we align with and also recently started working on my new Youtube channel that’s documenting my creative and business journey.
What were you like growing up?
I’ve always had a love for film. I always carried a camera on family trips, had a Steven Spielberg Lego Movie Set, filmed my friends skateboarding and later made it my full time career after doing a ton of video work while touring the US.
Beyond my love for the arts, I’ve been a businessman my whole life, at 10 years old selling sodas and waters in my local park, in middle school selling candies out of my backpack, to starting my first recording studio at 18 years old. I’ve always been focused on being my own boss and building something to call my own.
I’m very blessed to have taken my childhood interests and turned them into a career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michaelcardenasfilms.com
- Instagram: michaelcardenasfilms
- Youtube: michaelcardenasfilms
- Other: https://creativanyc.com
