Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaila Gutierrez.
Hi Kaila , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I always struggled expressing my emotions and often letting them take over me, frustrated because I couldn’t get people to understand what I was feeling. Being a Latina woman from the Coachella valley, my only focus was sports and getting good grades. Although I had a strong connection to film, becoming a film director never even felt like an option. It wasn’t until I was already in my third year at UCR when I realized I could actually pursue a career in filmmaking. I had no idea where to start, or even knew the first thing about filmmaking, but I knew this was something I needed to do. I hit the ground running and looked for as many opportunities as I could. I made as many short films as I could, and became the founding president of UCR’s Film club R’Shorts. Eager to learn more, I went on to pursue an MFA in directing at Chapman University where I directed my Graduate Thesis film titled Touch. A story that follows a 14-year-old girl coming of age as she starts to explore her connection to intimate touch. We are currently submitting this film to festivals with the goal of sharing it with a larger audience. I am currently in development of a feature film, while also working music/film festivals and freelancing on film sets.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As recovering people pleaser, learning to stick to my style and voice in film can sometimes be a bit of a struggle. It is easy to get in that mindset of wanting everybody to like my work, because it can feel at times like you are waiting for an audience to accept you as a person ,since the stories I tell come from a personal place. I’ve learned to remind myself that it is not possible to please everyone, and also question if I need everyone’s approval to make my art. Through my experience I have grown to be more comfortable with expressing my own voice in my work. In doing so, I found myself creating stronger connections with audience members who connect with my stories. I am more inspired in connecting with my audience rather than trying to please everyone.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my directing work I am drawn towards movement and physicality, using non-verbal communication to reveal what a character may be feeling or going through. I like to stay close to my characters so you can really get a sense of what it is like to walk in their shoes. Most importantly, I try to embrace my perspective in storytelling. When I first started directing, A part of me was unsure how to tell a story from my perspective. The only stories I saw about Latino families often involved crossing the border or gang violence. I never experienced either of these, but I still felt limited to those options. Experiencing books and movies like “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” “The Poet X,” and “Real Women Have Curves,” changed my idea of storytelling. It was validating seeing characters from similar communities to mine. Their families talked, fought, and loved in ways that actually reminded me of mine. These characters had nuanced feelings about love, culture, and family that I also felt, but never expressed. Experiencing true representation inspired me to embrace my own stories. So if you’re also someone who likes to cry and maybe laugh about growing pains, check out my work!
What matters most to you? Why?
Representation! Having more stories from diverse perspectives gives us a range of experiences to connect to. It also gives audiences more opportunity to relate to other communities outside their own. As a director I hope to foster a sense of validation and community through my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kailagutierrez.com
- Instagram: @KailaG22
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kailagutierrez/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/kailagutierrez
