Life & Work with Joe Estrada of Granada Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Estrada.

Hi Joe, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started officially trying to make anything film-related shortly after taking a trip I couldn’t afford overseas. Part of that trip involved a Harry Potter tour in the UK.

It was like watching a “making of” video you’d see on old VHS tapes and DVDs in real life. It was life-changing for me.

When I came home with a big dream and lot of dept, I got to work on becoming a Set Designer/ Builder since I majored in architecture at the time.

Coming from the Palm Springs area, so close to LA and a well-known hotspot for talent to vacation or to work on a shoot, you’d think there’d be more opportunities to work on a film, but nope. So, I worked as a set builder at the local stage theaters for a couple of years.

When I hardly saw any opportunities to help make a film, I decided to make them myself. But of course, I had to figure out how to write, use a camera, edit, find places to shoot, find people to shoot with, and so much other stuff.

It took some time, but I learned what I could and found people who could do what I couldn’t, and we made some truly horrible short films. But that’s just how we learned without going to school for it.

When our college finally did offer film courses, we jumped on the opportunity to be the guinea pigs.

That’s when I learned how to write and what to write with, which is now my main focus. I learned how to be a better filmmaker.

Eventually, word in the small valley spread of me making films here and there. I was recruited to make a short film for the 48 Hour Film Fest as the Writer and Director. We won the competition portion with our film GLASS ELEPHANT and it was showcased at Filmapalooza in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Then the pandemic hit.

I spent that time watching movies and shows, reading books and scripts, making tiktoks, and writing, writing, writing.

I was later convinced to move to LA by an eccentric writer named Cindy Begal, who’s work is known for MORK & MINDY and THE MUPPET BABBIES. I owe a lot of what I am and where I am today because of her.

After moving to LA, I got very lucky and landed a job as a Security Officer for WB. Soon after, I got incredibly lucky to get to work as a Construction PA for the show, 911: LONE STAR on the Fox studio lot.

I worked on that show through its last three seasons and I’ve learned a great deal about how the industry works, how to talk to people more, and how to write better.

Since the show ended, I have been working two regular jobs while writing, reaching out to reps, and working on small projects as a Sound Recordist on the side.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve run into a lot of obstacles. Lack of resources being the usual problem, but above all my biggest struggle was just getting out of my own head and just going for it despite the risk of failure, or even the risk of success.

But I’ll leave that kind of talk to my therapist if I ever get one.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Two things I’m keeping focus on are writing and sound work. I’d like to explore directing, 3d modeling, and voice acting more, but I just don’t have the time.

For writing I’m working on several pilots, from dark comedy/ fantasies to a couple of animation projects.

I’m outlining a YA novel that I’ve been thinking about for some time and thought I’d take the leap.

I’m mostly known for being a fantasy/comedy/animation writer.

I’m proud that I haven’t given up yet. I’ve been doing this for a while and I know I haven’t reached my full potential yet. That’s a strange sort of confidence I can’t explain, but it’s there and it’s loud.

What sets me apart from others is that I have a pretty solid understanding of what goes into making any sort of film project through the lense of crew members from other departments, even the business side of it.

It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of hours, a lot of pressure, and not enough people who can empathize with each other. I’m oversimplifying it, but that’s what I’ve seen so far.

How do you define success?
It’s someones trash to another one’s treasure.

I think what you do after achieving success is what matters.

I guess it’s something cool to look back on as I keep moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @scriptwriterjoe
• Twitter: @scriptwriterjoe