Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Avila.
Hi Adrian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Oakland, Ca. Ever since I was little I loved watching movies. Growing up I never thought about making movies until I was 12 years old when my best friend showed me his camcorder. My first reaction was, we have to make a movie! That was the moment when my passion for making movies began. In high school I got to take my first video production class and I became obsessed with it. I went to college and won an audience award for my short film. Then I got a Bachelors in Visual Effects for films because I realized that it was the future of filmmaking. After I graduated college I moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to continue to chase my dream. I quickly landed my first industry job at The Asylum in their VFX department. After working on a few films in that department I realized that my heart belonged working on set so I jumped on production crew. Since then I’ve worked on countless features, commercials and music videos from various companies. I started out as a Production Assistant and got a chance to earn credit in many other departments; set dresser, transportation, B-Unit camera, actor, etc. Then in 2023 I got the opportunity to direct my first feature and ever since that moment, my career as a Director/Writer is finally taking off.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve always dreamed of making it big in this business. Once I actually started to get into the Hollywood scene, I met a lot of people. Some who got me gigs and others who just wanted to party. At that time I was just excited to finally be working and living in Hollywood but I knew I still had a long road ahead of me. The party scene was starting to affect my performance working on set. One thing I learned quick, by watching it happen to other people, is that one bad mistake can ruin your name in this business. So I had to make a crucial decision to make my social circle smaller and cut out everyone that was holding me back. That was a tough decision at that time but now I see it was the best thing I did for myself. I only surround myself with people I love, trust and want to help me move forward. A couple years after I made that change I got to direct my first feature!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a director, writer, producer and actor. I have directed three features so far: AIRPLANE 2025, ALIEN RUBICON and ALIEN APOCALYPSE. I am currently writing a screenplay which I will be directing this November. I have acted in a bunch of movies, FAST AND FIERCE: DEATH RACE & DRONE WARS just to name a couple. I started my own production company called LASTLAUGH ENTERTAINMENT which I am currently working on getting off the ground. I have a YouTube Channel showcasing a lot of my old work (shorts & skits) that I made in the past under LastLaugh Entertainment. In which I shot, directed, edited, acted in & did the visual effects for all of them. It was a lot of work for one person but it shows my passion for producing content. I’m now focusing on directing as many features as I can and writing screenplays to direct. My first two films I directed were both Sc-Fi movies and my third movie was a Sex-Comedy. I’m a well rounded filmmaker that can do any genre of entertainment.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Margo Segura (mother) – She is my original inspiration because she use to work with celebrities and musicians to create content for educational purposes when I was in grade school.
Ronnie & Carol Avila (parents) – Even though they weren’t crazy about the idea at first, they always backed my plays (literally). They were a big financial supporter of me chasing my dream from student loans to flash money.
Gabriel Avila (brother) – My right hand man, through thick or thin he has always had my back through it all. He never let me give up on chasing this dream, kept pushing me forward and now we are finally writing our first screenplay with many more to come.
Judith Ramirez Avila (wife) – Behind every great man is a woman, and she is definitely it. The love of my life and the biggest supporter of all. She gives me unconditional love, encouragement and helps anyway she can to help me reach the next level.
The Asylum (movie studio) – This company gave me my first industry job when I moved to Los Angeles. They gave me all the experience and opportunities I needed to work my way up to becoming a Director. I definitely consider The Asylum, my family.
Contact Info:
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdrianJAvila
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3727551/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_adrian%2520avila
Image Credits
Ben Wilson
