Today we’d like to introduce you to Paloma Carpio Marion.
Hi Paloma, 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.
My passion for the entertainment industry has been there since I can recall. I was born and raised in Lima, Perú, and my first memories come from watching a different movie each weekend with my dad and sister. And I was fascinated by every single thing that was happening. Through that admiration, I knew I wanted to understand more about every single aspect of filmmaking and, more importantly, the process of how they brought these different ideas, stories, or concepts to the big screen.
While growing up I always sought to take a creative approach to any school assignment, while playing with my friends we tried recreating our music videos or making short films. It was no surprise I wanted to pursue a career in film once graduating high school. I enrolled at Universidad de Lima as a Communications major, specializing in Audiovisual Management and Production. I learned a lot about the basics of filmmaking there and I made my first professional projects there, but I wanted to further develop my passion for film. In January 2021, I transferred to Columbia College Chicago, one of the top film schools in the US, according to a ranking by The Hollywood Reporter.
During my two years at Columbia, I grew exponentially as a filmmaker. From my first semester, I was getting constant physical production experience. I was able to connect with many of the students involved in advanced productions, and I got to be part of those, which set me up for leading roles in my second semester. I was able to take part in many great award-winning projects not only in the undergraduate program but also by collaborating with thesis projects from the MFA students. In 2022, I got to Produce my own thesis film, a short film titled “The Void.” I worked with multiple department heads and crew members to bring this project from ideation to its own production. During this time, I honed my skills in budgeting and managing funds. I created successful fundraising strategies that achieved 90% of our campaign goal within three weeks. It resulted in a compelling cinematic story that I am incredibly proud of. This last project prepared me for my last semester where I enrolled into the Semester in LA program. Moving to Los Angeles was a dream come true. I took classes at the Sunset Las Palmas lot while also having a full-time internship at Legendary Entertainment as part of their Physical Production team. Here, I had the privilege of contributing to a company that had developed projects I deeply admired, and I got a deeper understanding of the fast-paced environment of the studio, the pre-production process for animation, and live-action shows that were filming internationally.
I graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and TV, concentrating on Production. I finished my studies with the highest distinction and an exceptional body of work. Since then, I have stayed in LA, where I got the chance to be part of amazing projects. I worked on my first feature film as a Production Coordinator with a Spanish film company. We shot in amazing locations such as Area 51 or the Las Vegas Strip. I also started working in TV and Digital series by highly regarded production companies such as Hello Sunshine and Amazon Prime in both studio lots and locations.
I am very proud of my journey so far. I’ve accomplished things very few recent graduates have, and it is all due to the sacrifices and unique experiences that have shaped my skill set that will only continue to grow with every project. As a Producer, I want to keep connecting with people with similar backgrounds as me. I think what this industry needs the most is more diversity and representation both on camera and behind the scenes, and this is what I strive to achieve.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This industry is rarely a smooth road. These last years have been very challenging, with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and a needed double strike in the entertainment industry has made it hard to find balance. However, I am not one to shy away from difficult situations. As an international student, I always knew it was going to be an uphill climb, and I was going to have to face additional obstacles, uncertainties, and anxieties that no one close to me could relate to. I knew I had to embrace the challenge, and that stamina I have built over the years has pushed me to excel in every task, no matter how big or small, because I know I have more to prove and more to lose. I developed a very strong work ethic, and that has made me rise above anything I was thrown. There are days when it gets hard, and it feels like there is no way out, but I have to force myself to find or make my way out because I have to. Something that has helped me along the journey has been reaching out to other Latinxs in the industry and sharing experiences that make you feel less alone. I’m very grateful for all of them, and I hope that in the future, I can also be that person who can pave a road for people who are going through the same obstacles and experiences as I have.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a Latina filmmaker and producer, my work wants to highlight stories that have been ignored for far too long. When I was growing up, I rarely encountered a project in which I felt represented or seen. My work now reflects different cultures and highlights the beauty and challenges when different traditions come together. Representation and diversity in the industry are one of the main things I advocate for. I believe that with new and different points of view the stories we tell become richer and with a greater depth. I have partnered with other international filmmakers from all around the world to make amazing products we are proud of. For one of my first classes in Chicago, I partnered with a fellow international student from Brazil. Together, we discussed our journeys, obstacles, frustrations, and anxieties. From these conversations emerged the idea for our final project: to explore our sense of identity as students in a foreign country by connecting with other international students and having our shared experiences expressed through text read in multiple languages worldwide. This project marked my debut as a producer in the US and laid the foundation for how I approach projects as I continue to grow in this role.
Today, I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to accomplish that objective. Throughout these past years, I’ve been involved in the production of numerous stories with diverse creators. In 2022, I served as the Production Manager and Production Designer for a beautiful LGBTQ+ love story called “Brother.” The film is centered on an immigrant from a post-Soviet country who invites his conservative sister to the ceremony and struggles between trying to keep his roots and or giving up on them to build his love connection with his Latino partner. In 2023, I began collaborating with another international student whose views on diversity and representation aligned with mine. I’ve been a part of his past two projects for his company, Cinema Inclusion, which focuses on telling stories featuring Indonesian characters. Additionally, last year, I had the opportunity to serve as a Production Coordinator for a Spanish feature film as part of their US unit. Being involved in this project, with the task of facilitating communication and translation between the US and Spanish crews, was especially meaningful to me. It allowed me to experience how film and cinema transcends languages and nationalities. Together, we were all able to create an amazing queer rom-com with a crew that spoke 3 different languages.
These projects hold immense significance for me, each teaching me something unique. I am excited about the change we are bringing to the future of the entertainment industry, whether it’s in the diversity we see on screen or the diversity and representation among the filmmakers behind the scenes. I think what separates me from others is that I have this weight on my shoulders. I was given a chance that not many people get, and so it is up to me to represent my community. I got very lucky to be living my childhood dreams, and so I am determined to make the most of it.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising that people might not know about me is that I do not only look within the film industry to keep growing as a Producer, but I also look into other activities to gain skills that have helped me in my career and my internal development as a person. For example, when I was in college in Peru, I joined a Model United Nations (MUN) team that competed in highly regarded conferences in Latin America as well as internationally with the ones organized by Harvard University. I joined the team in my first year of college when I was 17. I was the youngest one in the group, and it was a very intimidating process. I struggled with public speaking and my hands were shaking most of the time out of nervousness. During intense negotiation sessions, I used to break under pressure, and it was hard to find alternative strategies on the spot. But I did not give up. I kept practicing on my own time, and I asked the team’s Faculty Advisors for exercises that could help me grow into the delegate I knew I could be. Within one year, I felt how much I had changed from when I joined the team. I was no longer nervous speaking in front of a room of 200 people. I was able to become a leader in negotiations and achieved results that I’m deeply proud of. I received my first major award when I attended Harvard World Model United Nations in Madrid, where I was on a committee with other college students worldwide. I was given the Diplomacy Award, the highest recognition given at the conference. The year after, I became the head delegate for my team, and then I became a faculty advisor and trained new delegates to join the team. If I had not been part of this team, I would not have the same skill set as I have today. I learned how to deal with pressure, how to be diplomatic during intense negotiations, and how to stand for what I believe. I presented ideas and proposals in front of hundreds of people, confident in myself. Even though MUN has nothing to do with the film industry, the skills that it has given me are transferable and it made me a stronger producer today. This experience has made me grow exponentially, and I would deeply recommend everyone to look for resources within their field and outside because you never know where you will find that extra motivation or abilities to help within your craft.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palomacmarion.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palomacarpiom/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palomacarpiomarion/
