Check Out German Sanchez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to German Sanchez.

Hi German, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From the moment I watched Pee-wee’s Big Adventure as a kid, storytelling captured me. It’s still one of my favorite films today, and I credit that film for my creative spark. It wasn’t until later in life that I got a chance to study film editing and sound design at Los Angeles Film School, hoping to build a creative career in the industry. But after graduation, breaking in the industry proved difficult, especially before I understood how much ADHD affected my focus and direction. After graduating from film school, and having difficulty finding a job, I felt disconnected from my creativity, and abandoned it altogether. I became lost and questioned my identity. I didn’t know who I was creatively anymore and I thought it was best to just abandon any thoughts on creating my own films or stories. It was years later, seeing a friend struggle the same way I did after film school, that I’d do my best to help her by sharing my experience after graduating film school and the loss I felt of not being able to start my career in film. This was the start of what reignited that creative spark again. Being able to help my friend reminded me that the spark never left me, it was there the whole time; dormant, but still lit. Today, I channel my creativity into photography, audio, and podcasting. I’ve also been invited to join my close friends, Rey Ortiz and Anthony Ortiz, in their new venture, May Films, where I’ll help lead the audio and podcasting side while continuing to tell meaningful stories through different creative mediums.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. After graduating from Los Angeles Film School, the hardest part was grappling with why I couldn’t seem to break into the industry. ADHD was a major factor I didn’t yet understand. I found myself working unrelated jobs, feeling creatively stuck, and there were moments when I truly felt I’d lost my dream. Helping a friend through similar struggles later on reminded me that creativity can come back in unexpected ways. Those experiences taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of allowing my creative path to evolve, lessons I now carry into everything I do. I no longer dream of simply becoming a successful filmmaker; now, I dream of becoming the best and most authentic version of my creative self for as long as I’m alive.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When people ask what I do, I usually say I’m a photographer and podcast producer, though sometimes I simply call myself a storyteller because it feels like the best way to describe the combination of both. Visually, my photography is heavily inspired by the films I grew up watching, especially the work of Tim Burton. As I got older, I became fascinated by the German Expressionist films that inspired his style, along with filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro and classic horror cinema. Those influences naturally shaped the way I photograph people and even how I present myself creatively. I’ve always been drawn to goth and alternative culture, so much of my work focuses on mood, atmosphere, and emotion rather than simply capturing an image.

With podcasting and audio storytelling, my approach is different but still rooted in emotion and immersion. I’m inspired by narrative-driven shows like Invisibilia, This American Life, The Moth, Radiolab, Hidden Brain, and StoryCorps. I love the way audio can pull someone emotionally into a story. People often compliment me on the mood and aesthetic of my photography, but also on how my audio work flows and sounds. Sound has always been incredibly important to me. One thing I remember learning in film school is that audiences will forgive imperfect visuals much faster than they’ll forgive bad audio. Great sound can completely transform how a story feels.

What I’m most proud of right now is finding my own creative path, even if it wasn’t the one I originally imagined for myself. Earlier in life, I thought success meant reaching the top or achieving a certain status, but over time I realized that what matters most to me is continuing to create meaningful work and evolving creatively as a person.

Being part of May Films has also been incredibly inspiring. Anthony’s filmmaking background and Rey Ortiz’s combination of creativity and business mindset constantly push me to think bigger. Rey also created the project “Chicas” and produces the podcast Women Creating Magic, so being surrounded by people who are actively building and creating really fuels that creative spark in me. I think what I bring to the team is a combination of storytelling, photography, audio production, editing, and a genuine passion for atmosphere and emotional connection in creative work.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
A lot of the podcasts that inspire me are the same ones that shape the way I think about storytelling and emotion in creative work. Shows like Invisibilia, This American Life, The Moth, Radiolab, Hidden Brain, and StoryCorps have all had a huge influence on me because they focus so much on human experience, emotion, psychology, and immersive storytelling. I love the way those shows can make someone feel connected to another person’s story through sound alone.

One of the books that has impacted me the most creatively is The Runaway Species by Anthony Brandt and David Eagleman. The book explores the neuroscience of creativity and how humans continuously reshape ideas throughout history. One of the concepts that really stayed with me is what they call the “Three B’s” of creativity: bending, breaking, and blending ideas. That framework completely changed the way I look at creativity. For example, I might take inspiration from German Expressionism, Tim Burton, fairy tales, or horror films and find ways to bend those influences, break them apart to understand them better, or blend them together into something new. That idea helped me realize creativity isn’t about inventing something from nothing, it’s about transforming inspiration into your own voice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Germanrsanchez.com
• Instagram: @creativegerman
• Other: https://www.mayfilms.studio