Marcella Ochoa of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Marcella Ochoa and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcella, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that made me feel proud was premiering my Western horror short film in my home town of San Antonio. I wrote, directed, and produced my short that is inspired by Texas and was a labor of love. Having all my family and friends attend the screening was truly an incredible and memorable experience.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a writer, director, and producer born in Texas and currently live in Los Angeles. I love horror films. Since I saw Jaws at a young age I became obsessed and knew I wanted to make movies. I focus a lot of my work writing and directing horror films, but I love anything sci-fi, thrillers, or fantasy as well. I co-wrote a social justice horror film, MADRES, produced by Blumhouse that is currently on Amazon. I was nominated for an NAACP award for that movie. I recently wrote a horror film for New Line and a horror film for Universal. I most recently wrote, directed, and produced my horror short film, HOUR OF BLOOD, that did well on the festival circuit. I was nominated for an IMAGEN Award and Humanitas Prize Award for Best Short Film. I’m currently writing my next horror project to direct.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was really young I didn’t feel that there was a place for me in Hollywood because nobody looked like me in front of or behind the camera. I didn’t see any stories from my community being told especially in the horror space. So, I really never thought being a filmmaker was an option for me. But now I know that’s not the case. There are so many talented Latino filmmakers in the industry that inspire me and are a great and supportive community. I feel like I do belong here and our stories are important to tell.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were definitely so many times I almost gave up when I had gone through all my savings and hadn’t sold a project or booked a job. You get so many no’s in the industry it can be hard to stay motivated when you see your bank account getting smaller. I thought about leaving Los Angeles or leaving the industry a few times to just have a steady job and health insurance. My family support helped me through those tough times and encouraged me to stay and keep pursuing my career and not give up. So, I toughed it out and stayed and I’m so grateful I did and it finally paid off. I’ll always be grateful to my family for all their support.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I have a passion project I wrote a few years ago and I would still like to get it made one day. It’s a story that is inspired by true events of growing up in San Antonio and it’s so personal to me and my family and what we went through. It’s definitely a harder story to find financing for but a story I feel is still so relevant and needs to be told. So, I would love to be able to tell it one day no matter how long it takes.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I definitely feel I’m doing what I was born to do. I’ve loved telling stories ever since I was a young child and knew it was what I wanted to do. I have all these ideas in my head I need to get out, and writing has always been my escape. To let my imagination run wild and to also use as it escapism for dealing with the real horrors in every day life. My family always encouraged my creativity and pushed me to pursue a career in the arts. I love film and TV and there are still so many stories I want to write and direct. I love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marcellaochoa.com
• Instagram: @marcellaochoa

Image Credits
Humanitas Awards photo should be credited to photographer Timothy Norris.