Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Saavedra.
Hi Andrea, 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?
I grew up dancing and acting at the age of four. At twenty-one, I was introduced to the incredible world that exists behind camera. I started as an office PA and worked my way up to being a production coordinator, then Production Manager, to Line Producing. Now I’m full-time producing and opened my own production company, Moonlight Cinema. In January of this year, I made my official directorial debut.
Last month, I directed a campaign for “Women’s History Month” for TikTok that was featured on their platform for the entire month of March. I honestly didn’t expect to be doing what I am doing today, but it’s always just been a part of me. Just being a creator, and using art to express myself has always been a consistent focal point in my life. I also recently booked a national commercial as an Actor , and have gone into pre-production for a new feature film that I’ll be producing this Summer of 2021.
Since the age of four, being a creator using art to express myself felt natural. I’ve even began teaching myself instruments, all thanks to quarantine, and have already produced a couple of tracks too! I love creating, and am honored to be in a constant state of it. This is a dream come true for me. I am forever humbled and grateful for where I am with my work and for the clients and relationships I’ve built up to this day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d be lying if I said this was easy. I thankfully started my film journey as a PA, an important role in all productions, and learned how to produce and also how not to produce early on in my career. I saw what helped make a production smooth and watched other producers make mistakes that I learned to never imitate when I finally had the chance to run a job myself. It wasn’t easy and the respect had to be earned. I coordinated and production managed for years; learned everything I could to support a producer on union jobs. That was where I learned a lot of what I know today. Producing is trial and error; you make a mistake once, but not twice. You take credibility for your actions and reactions, and you must own up to your mistakes. It can affect one person or the entire shoot. I’ve had so much experience in the last eight years of trial and error, though my failures never stopped me, but motivated me instead to keep going.
Like a shark does, it has to keep swimming to breath and to survive, and I resonate with that a lot. (I love sharks for many reasons and this is one. My spirit animal, and favorite animal) I remember when I was transitioning from a production coordinator to production manager. For those who don’t know, you have more access to the budget, more responsibility, etc. – I had requested a meeting with the producer of the job I was on. In this meeting, my goal was to explain to him that I was ready for more responsibility. I didn’t feel challenged as a coordinator anymore and I thought it was time I took a leap of faith for myself and voiced my opinion. I’m a firm believer in the quote, “I can’t accept not trying”. So, with me having the drive and the courage I had then, (which reflecting back on it now surprises me and makes me proud), I asked him to meet with me. Mind you, I never did anything like this before. It was terrifying and out of my comfort zone. He sat with me and I explained (while holding back emotions) that I was ready for more, that I could do more, and I wanted him to give me the chance to do so. I explained I had been PM’ing for other companies and was ready to show him how I could help support him on the current documentary I was on at that time. I was ready to be trusted with more duties, more paperwork, more challenges. I wanted to learn more and also prove that I could handle the job. That man looked at me and said, “Thank you Andrea, but I am afraid you’re just too young and too inexperienced to do more”. You can assume I didn’t take that well, I said okay, thank you for your time and left the office feeling defeated and embarrassed.
A week later they let me go, and I thought I ruined my career forever because I decided for the first time to speak up. It didn’t make sense to me at first, but man was it something that I needed to have happen. I felt humbled yet humiliated at the same time. I instantly took it as a sign there was more for me, and being confined to one production company maybe wasn’t the right choice at that time. I kept it moving and didn’t look back. I was not what that man said I was, and I never stopped since—I wish I could name him and thank him for that moment and conversation; it’s something that I will never forget.
Transitioning from being a respected and seasoned Producer to a Director, was scary though the experiences I’ve had through my self-growth allowed me to remain focused. I never stopped believing in myself. My thought was – I cannot be stopped because I will not stop, and I am not afraid of the challenge.
Every job is its own puzzle and my role is to figure it out which may or may not feel relatable to others, but I think we all battle with the challenge of self. We can either excel ourselves forward or hold ourselves back—It’s up to us. I’ve spoken about on set and day to day challenges as a producer and director in interviews in the past, but the one that I appreciate at this very moment is overcoming the challenge of self. The fearlessness to push myself and to do more. I think we have to do that for ourselves, no matter what career path you follow, and trust me when I say it doesn’t get easier, it’ll only harder but you cannot quit.
Even when I first got into the industry, I never told anyone that I was an Actor, Dancer, also looking to pursue a career in front of the camera. I felt that no one would take me seriously. So I held back that part of my life for sometime, as my career behind the camera flourished. We tend to allow ourselves to get stuck in the idea that we can only be good at one thing. I’m very thankful to have the balance I do with all the passions I am pursuing today.
I hope to inspire men and women through my life’s story and experiences, so that they too can thrive in whatever it is they want to do in life.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Moonlight Cinema is a tv and film production studio from Los Angeles, CA. We specialize in all forms including but not limited to: Branded Content, Feature Films, TV Shows, Commercials, Music Videos, Documentaries, Brand Campaigns, and more. We love creating meaningful, story-driven content. Moonlight officially launched in January 2021 with the production of the Machine Gun Kelly’s “Downfalls High” film. It was an incredible experience to have produced this project through Moonlight Cinema. We loved our cast and crew! Additionally, we’re happy to announce the newest campaign we produced for TikTok’s Women’s History Month program – which celebrated women all month long! Brand campaigns are a huge love of ours. There is something really special about taking a client’s ideas and elaborating on it. We’re also a Woman owned so It was an important movement that we were honored to take part in!
We also have a new department launching this year! Where we will offer full-time animation services for all of our clients across the board. Moonlight Media is a team of high-end digital artists with a strong focus on still and animated imagery combining 3D technology with digital illustration and photography.
Our newest partnership is with artist Jorge Peña. He has positioned himself as one of the most important image producers in the Chilean advertising industry. With a vast amount of experience working with major Global Agencies and clients, such as Pepsi, 7up, Vovlo, Nike, Mercedes Benz and more – we will be able to offer the same services for clients here in the states.
What sets us apart from others is our ability to constantly evolve. We’ll have the ability to create 3D content in house and even offer better deals to clients. Our team is built by seasoned Creatives and Producers. With a team that knows production inside and out and a team who has been on the frontline, of incredible projects, time and time again. Our goal is to take your ideas to the next level, and create meaningful thought-provoking and engaging art. We offer strategies and execution plans, with our client in mind first and will always treat our clients cast and crew, like family!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Los Angeles, it’s the city of dreams. It’s given me opportunity, time and time again. Though traffic may not be ideal, it’s home to incredible Artists and Creatives. It’s filled with art and life. I love LA, and I’m thankful to have called it home for so long. I also have my heart in Orange County as well, where I grew up. It will always be a love of mine. I just wish I could bring that calmness and serenity that OC can provide to LA. Our jobs can be so hectic, so we require a healthy home/work environment to keep us feeling our best. I hope everyone finds a home in an area they can focus in. I’ve been lucky to have a safe space that I can decompress and come home to after a long days work.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.moonlightcinema.tv/
- Instagram: @producedbydre, @amoonlightcinema
