Daily Inspiration: Meet Steph Martinez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steph Martinez.

Hi Steph, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I caught the acting bug at an early age. My grandpa had this camcorder and loved to let us grandkids put on talent shows and skits. So naturally, in middle school and high school I participated in any play I could get my hands on. Then I went on to complete my Bachelor of the Arts at Arizona State; go Sun Devils! And funny enough, I took some directing classes there as well. After graduating, I moved straight to LA with the clothes on my back and the dream of being a Hollywood actor.
After 15 years, I am still here, doing the damn thang! The only difference from what I originally pictured was discovering a passion for the production side. My love of film has now translated into directing. I got into directing after learning how to edit. If I was the one editing a piece, I knew how I wanted things to go on set.
Then in 2020, a good friend of mine got creative and wrote a “pod safe” comedy web series called BOTHERED. I was brought on as an editor and then as an actor, and on set I started blocking things out because I knew I’d be the one editing later and by the end of the day, Julie was like, “are you directing this thing now??”. Now we’re 5 seasons deep with over 30 episodes directed by me.
Marrying my love of actors and love of the technical side has made me a strong director. I let my actors play, and I let my cinematographers play. Every department head is there because of their talent and our shared vision. I give my direction, and then I let them shine. Plus, my production team makes my actors look good! My goal on set is to make everyone feel powerful and sexy.
In summer 2026, I will be directing my first feature film. You have no idea how excited I am. It’s a movie about gay cowboys. No, not Brokeback; this movie has a happy ending! No more queer tragedies. Our story follows a gay pro-rodeo bull rider, so next summer we will be filming live at the Palm Springs Gay Rodeo. It’s a wonderful, heartfelt piece that I can’t wait to share with you. I even have a cameo in it where I hit on the straight sister; you’re going to love it!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Nothing is smooth, but it makes us who we are. Hollywood is hard, hell surviving in general is hard. But it’s about community, family. Family keeps you alive, both given family and chosen family. I have both and I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a bona fide independent filmmaker. I love everything about indie film: the stories, the collaboration, and the creative freedom. The next step is figuring out how to make it lucrative. With Sinners being nominated for 16 Academy Awards, it shows the industry that we’re taking back Hollywood.
As an actor, some of my favorite roles have come from indie filmmakers. Two recent favorites are “Pay Deferred” by Katherine Connor Duff and “The Commedia” by Frankie Kevich. In Commedia, I played a sexy, Italian-speaking clown, and in Pay Deferred I portrayed an actor willing to do anything for a speaking part (which, honestly, kind of sums me up in a nutshell).
I’m about to direct my first feature film; a huge milestone, though I know it’s just the beginning. Keep an eye out for Cowboy, it’ll be the Heated Rivalry of the Wild West.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Love. Love always. If you root everything in love, you can’t lose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cowboythemovie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmartinezofficial/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/IR98lhVobh4?si=G4vLMkz3y0wTes97

Image Credits
Heather Yesenia
Leah Huebner
Priscilla Chavez