Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugo Mejia
Hugo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
So I transferred to San Diego State University with the intention of getting into their Television, Film, and New Media Production program. Part of the prerequisite was to shoot a video that showcased your creativity. Honestly in retrospect, I half assed the video and needless to say I didn’t get accepted into the film program. I felt like a loser because I knew I wanted a successful career in the entertainment industry but didn’t put enough effort to create a video that would make me stand out.
I had to switch majors so I chose Communication with a minor in Television, Film, and New Media. Then, a year or so later, outside of where I lived, it looked like this man was taking pictures of my license plate. Naturally I went outside and was like “Can I help you?”
And it turned out he was actually taking photos of this random pair of baby shoes on the ground below my car. So we started chatting and he told me he was one of faculty members who ran the Television, Film, and New Media Production program at San Diego State. Then he went on to say that he could easily get me into the program that I initially got denied to with just his signature.
It’s who you know right? Anyway I respectfully turned down his offer because at that point I was already on track to graduate within a year. Then he told me about his producer friends who were looking for a bilingual host for their public access variety show.
I went on to co-host this weekly show and it was a fun experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone. It was the first time I had multiple cameras on me and that volunteer gig was part of what got me into the Television Academy Foundation’s internship program in Los Angeles.
So after graduating from SDSU, I had this cool internship with the Television Academy where I got hands on experience with the production process as well as scriptwriting which I love doing. Eventually I gained the courage to pursue acting, another passion of mine. So I started doing background acting which led to me doing bigger roles and getting an agent, then a manager, and now I work as an actor for various web series, films, and commercials.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To keep it brief, early on in my career I was swindled via a fake shoot that I naively thought was a legit commercial. I was so embarrassed for letting myself get scammed and to this day I’ve only told one friend everything. There’s a lot more details to that setback, but after that I almost quit the industry.
I moved out of L.A. several times due to financial hardship. But the third time moving back, I told myself no matter how challenging things got, I wouldn’t leave L.A. again. Unless I was moving for a long-term shoot outside of the city.
There’s other weird, shady situations I’ve come across but I will say, the majority of encounters I’ve had in this industry have been positive. The entertainment industry is filled with so many quirky, cool, unique people. It makes for good storytelling.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a bilingual, bisexual (by nature) writer and actor. My parents are deaf so I grew up learning sign language (American Sign-Language and Mexican Sign-Language). In addition to signing, I grew up speaking English and Spanish in Dinuba, a small town three hours north of L.A.
I am currently a SAG-E actor and have acted in various types of shoots (music videos, commercials, web series, films). I love being in films that have a personal connection to the directors or writers. Some of the recent films I was in are based on true stories involving difficult times in the directors’ and writers’ lives. Personal stories are meaningful for me to be part of because these storytellers reveal a vulnerable chapter in their journeys.
Currently what I want to hone in on are proof of concepts for scripts that I’ve written. My intention is to showcase portions of scripts I’ve written and act in these videos as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Laughing makes me happy and so does singing, acting, writing, spending quality time with family and friends and experiencing new and exciting things. Whatever releases dopamine.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Http://www.instagram.com/itshugomejia
- Other: http://imdb.me/Hugo-Mejia
Image Credits
Jessica Amaya
David Trevino
