Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Gonzalez Jr
Hi Samuel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Samuel Gonzalez Jr. is a Emmy-nominated, multi award winning film director and Iraq War Veteran. Spending most of his youth making home movies with neighborhood friends, he never had any doubt about his path to storytelling in film. He is a graduate of Pasadenas prestigious Art Center College of Design where he joins the ranks of fellow alumni Michael Bay, Zach Snyder and Tarsem Singh amongst others. Gonzalez’s unique cinematic identity caught the eye of legendary Hollywood producer Edward R. Pressman (The Crow, American Psycho, Wall Street) who mentored him and optioned his published Novel “The Chords of WAR”- a semi-autobiographical war story about his experience forming a rock n roll band while a soldier overseas during the Iraq War. Acclaimed show runner and writer Graham Yost (Justified, The Americans, Speed) called the book “Brilliant!”.
This professional relationship led Gonzalez to new opportunities in film and music videos, directing for rock artists Papa Roach, Escape the Fate, Bad Wolves and Grammy winning artist Kimbra for Warner Bros. Group.
Gonzalez is heavily influenced by Kubrick, Zemeckis, Darabont and Fincher as his work is often a hybrid between those, often putting considerable touch of suspense and grounded often dark psychological themes interwoven throughout his narratives, no matter the format in which he shoots in. His first feature debut, ‘Railway Spine’ a period war and crime drama was nominated for the Chris Brinker Award for Best New Director and won the coveted Golden Eagle Award for Best Military Film at the 2016 San Diego International Film Festival, released on VOD and Amazon Prime in early 2020.
He co-directed the upcoming 2022 high octane horror thriller film ‘The Retaliators’ for Better Noise Films, co-producers of Netflix’s ‘The Dirt’. The film was acquired by Quiver Distribution and hit 2500 theaters worldwide. The release came on the heels of a successful festival tour, during which the film world premiered at Londons Frightfest and had its US Premiere at Screamfest, where it was the opening night film to a sold out crowd, garnering 89 % on rotten tomatoes.
In 2023, his horror anthology feature ‘Night of the Missing’ was released worldwide by Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting (the studio that brought Terrifier 2 and 3) and spent 1 month in the TOP 5 spot. Streaming exclusively on Screambox.
His next film, a sexy horror slasher feature ‘Stiletto’ starring screen legend Colleen Camp, Gigi Gustin, Charlotte McKinney, Steven Blackehart and Mia Chalis – will be released in 2025.
With over 20 short films, several commercials and music videos over the past decade, Samuel Gonzalez Jr. has firmly established himself as one of the industry’s most sought out up and coming talents.
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?
For artist there is an obstacle. Often several Boulder like obstacles that stand in the way or knock you down entirely from creating the very art you spend your entire life in pursuit of. The most challenging for filmmakers is time. There is never enough. But working with the right crew that executes the vision like a well run factory, helps in that department and you learn to navigate and often pivot on the spot if need be. A strong team is what holds everything together. It’s a family. Which also has its own set of challenges. The second is funding. Our art form in the most expensive in the world to create. Our “canvas, brushes and paints” often exceed a million dollars. Find a way to bring that together to make the project happen is a hurdle most filmmakers cannot overcome. But build a solid catalog of work, building relationships and together, you will find a way.
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?
I tend to shine light and point my camera in the darkest of places. That’s where the real stories are. Take a look for yourself. You can check out my work at Vimeo.com/samuelgonzalezjr
or follow my instagram at @samuelgonzalezjr
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I was a soldier serving in the Iraq War from. 2006-2008. I joined to help pay for film school. I was a punk rock kid and my parents took one sight of pink hair and lip piercings and said “not freaking way”, and they decided not to help me with that. So I joined the Army during war time with the hope that if I made it through this, I would be able to get my education and start my life in Los Angeles making my dreams come true. While overseas, during the middle of the bloodiest time of the war, I was lucky enough to meet other soldiers who also played music, something we all shared a love for. We formed a melodic, punk, emo, core folk band and when we weren’t fighting on missions, we were practicing and jamming out like garage band in literally hell. We played a USO talent show and won and after that, we started playing other shows, raising morale for the troops as we fought alongside them. If you’ve ever been in a mosh pit, you’ve never experienced one with a hundred soldiers each holding semi-automatic rifles. That was the most epic and thrilling time of my life. Some of us didn’t make it back home, but the music kept us alive. Those times and our story is is now a published novel called “THE CHORDS OF WAR”, in stores and online wherever books are sold.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://VIMEO.COM/SAMUELGONZALEZJR
- Instagram: @SAMUELGONZALEZJR
