We recently had the chance to connect with Maurice Salmin and have shared our conversation below.
Maurice, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I would say integrity. Only because while intelligence is important, without integrity, that intelligence can possibly be used in negative ways. When you have integrity, your “energy” and intelligence most likely would be used and enjoyed by one’s self and others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
A true Los Angeles native, my name is Maurice Salmin and I was born May 4th, 1984 (yes, I’ve heard “May the 4th be with me” many times in my life). I’ve been proudly living in downtown Los Angeles for now 13+ years. My mother is Filipina (1 of 7 siblings) with a splash of Japanese/Chinese. I’ve never met my biological father, who is Iranian. Currently 41 years old, I’m a co-owner of which I believe is the first Motion Picture Advertisement company in downtown Los Angeles for a very long time (perhaps ever). With two amazing partners, Benedict Coulter and Van Maximillian Carlson, “REBEL” is nearly four years old.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Working with my two business partners Benedict Coulter and Van Maximillian Carlson.
Meeting them 10 years ago when I was hired as a PA at “The Refinery.” I would ask them and others for tips on my cuts. Which I edited on my own time working on projects, and my cuts were good enough to send and were “finishing”. Meaning they were winning and getting released out to the world. Due to that I became an editor. I left the Refinery for a brief attempt through a friend to become a “long form” editor (advertisement is “short form”), it didn’t work out. By fate, Benedict and Max approached me and they were starting the AV department at “Statement Advertising” and asked if I wanted to join. I took the leap, and it was there where I got awards and finished with big projects “The Batman” – Teaser, “Godzilla: King of Monsters” – Final Trailer, “Birds of Prey” – Teaser, etc.
Then after some time, Benedict and Max approached me again and wanted to start their own shop. So seven years after being a PA, I became a co-owner of my own company “REBEL” with those two wonderful life-changing partners.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
What does “Failing hard” mean? That depends on each person’s perspective/definition. One might think being in a band trying to “make it” for 10+ years and NOT making it as… “failing hard.” Or one might believe after trying to make it in band, finding yourself a 30 year old barista after that as “failing hard.” I personally do not believe so.
Living all over the San Fernando Valley, I went to different schools there and ended up at Cal State University of Northridge. I graduated with a BA in Film/Multimedia. After I graduated I went full time with my previous band of 10+ years. Lucky to be able to perform shows as a DRUMMER in most of the US and around the world (including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, UK, Mexico, etc. and Canada… Do they count? jk)
How? I met a Power Ranger, yes a Power Ranger who was the 2nd Black Power Ranger who was in the successful movies and series in the 90s. Johnny Yong Bosch also did English VO for Japanese Anime and video games. Together with being a power ranger, he was very popular at comic conventions worldwide.
I was very lucky, as our band hobby (I’m a drummer) slowly became a career. When a convention heard he was in a band for example, our first show was in Miami, FL. They flew us out there and with JYB as our frontman, we soon grew a cult following in the Comic-Con circuits. Keep in mind this was before Marvel impacted the nerd culture, growing conventions even more.
During my drumming adventures from the end of high school into when I left the band, we were shooting and editing music/short band videos, etc. I didn’t realize this work would later have job titles “Social Media Manager” and “Content Creator” like they do today.
Once I turned 30 years of age however, I realized the money was great sometimes, not so great at times. Consistency was needed as I was embarrassed of needing to borrow money from my mom at times to help pay for rent in downtown Los Angeles. The universe nudged me to search for another path. I became a barista at the life-changing community building “ilcaffè” during my transition out from the band. I realized I hilariously became the movie script stereo-type barista character… “a barista who is in a band… etc.”
BUT as a BARISTA, I met a neighbor in my building while talking to customers as baristas tend to do. She was a producer in the hidden world of “movie trailers.” I was always interested and loved trailers, so I stalked her and begged her for advice on how to get into that world. Eventually, she convinced her boss to meet me. I was hired as a PA at the first shop (“The Refinery,” which I mentioned in the previous question) that started my path to becoming a co-owner.
My advice for those early in their journey… when called towards something, put in the time to “master” the ability or craft.
Music is hard. I like to say my previous band was “90’s rock, ten years too late”. Perhaps if we were in the age of CDs, we may have been signed and had a higher level career.
I am one to “never give up.”
Knowing what I know now, I wish others to learn that putting in the time to master something, is never a failure, trying for an amount of time, and making a “pivot” is not a failure.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
“I want to work with movies” is probably a parent’s worst nightmare… hearing that from their child hahaha. Least in the 90s when I told my single parent mom those words. The evolution from that moment until now, a co-owner of my own downtown Los Angeles based Motion Picture Advertisement company “REBEL” was a journey.
In my previous company, I was a senior editor working in Motion Picture Advertisement. There are plenty of people who stay at that level and raise families and have wonderful lives. I was one of few that was lucky to have an opportunity to become an owner and start your own company. There’s nothing wrong with any level, let me be clear. Each path for every person is different.
But that unseen “calling” that I felt as a child “I want to work in the entertainment industry” is the same as another thought that I did not share with my mom: “I will create something, based off my life?” It was a question to myself, I don’t know where it came from. But I knew that it was something I had to do?
I’ve been trying to figure out what that meant as I grew up with all my different experiences. REBEL currently uses short form creativity that helps “convince” the world audience to watch a project. I want to create my own project to share with the world.
The challenge I face now is the time/work that goes behind actually getting a project released to the world wide audience.
Managing time as a Co-Owner/Editor and sometimes performing at shows with DJ friends (yes I cant stop) are time consuming. Yet, I must and will follow the call to create my life-long passion project.
I’ve recently finished writing the pilot episode for my series, current working title is “The Fourth” (only took 40 years of trauma haha). I’m aiming high… the perfect outcome would be a development deal with Christopher Nolan’s production company SYNCOPY, having Christopher Nolan attach his name to my project, and eventually the world get’s to see my crazy mind project released streaming on HBO MAX or Apple TV… hahaha
On the other end, I’m perfectly fine creating the show independently and releasing it online through whatever means, long as I had my creative control and vision. Even if one person just watches it, I’m good.
I simply must follow the calling to create “The Fourth.” I haven’t stopped after 41 years and I will continue until it’s completed.
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?
As mentioned before, I still hear “the call” to create my life long passion project “The Fourth.” I haven’t stopped trying after 41 years and I won’t stop. This feeling that pulls at my soul feels like something I was “born to do.” Like I mentioned before, pivoting is not failure. SO if the prject must evolve into something else, a movie for example, I’m always open and willing to change. With AI and technology progressing in the future, who knows what this project can and will become. “Fourth times the charm.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://rebelav.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauricesalmin
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricesalmin
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/reb3lav
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reb3lav
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mauricesalmin
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/listen2staves
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/valentinehusky
https://www.instagram.com/gh0oo0st
https://www.instagram.com/reb3lav
Image Credits
– Red photos – Mazi Smazi – IG @mazismaziphoto |
– Infinity laser photo w/ Valentine – Tomo Saito – IG @tomosaito |
– Performance photo w/ Karel Havlicek– Karel Kantor – IG @karelkantor |
– Sofa photo w/ Valentine – Jesse Kojima – IG @jessekojima |
– Clio Awards photo – IG @clioawards |
– B&W photo – IG @leejimi |
