Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandro Mora.
Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Alejandro was interested in sports, photography and watching movies.
Alejandro moved to Miami at the age of 21 and graduated with honors as a Mechanical Engineer at Florida International University where he also minored in photography. While at the university, he realized his true calling was in film, and having always been fascinated by this medium he decided he was going to make the jump.
But first, he moved to Kansas City to get some work and life experiences while working as an engineer at a General Motors auto assembly plant. After about a year and a half, he was happy with what he had achieved but had had enough of the corporate world. This is when he decided to finally move to Los Angeles to pursue his new-found dream as a filmmaker, leaving behind a safe job and a guaranteed salary to start anew and enroll in film school.
In mid-2009, Alejandro wrapped a big budget feature film shot in Venezuela where he participated as a Second Assistant Director (AD). The film, La Hora Cero (The Zero Hour), was released in October 2010. After this feature experience, Alejandro found his true calling in the film industry as an Assistant Director. A position that blends his passion for films and his engineering and logistics abilities.
Alejandro continued to work in Venezuela as a First & Second AD in several films, commercials, and short films.
After having spent roughly two years working back in Venezuela, Alejandro returned to Los Angeles when he got accepted into the DGA Assistant Directors Training Program.
As a DGA Trainee, Alejandro worked on shows like Glee, CSI:NY, The Newsroom, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and others. Since completing the training program, Alejandro has been a member of the Director’s Guild of America working as a Second AD.
Has it been a smooth road?
Are any roads smooth? It was hard moving to a new city where you don’t know a soul and get your foot into the film industry, but it has been a road worth traveling.
When you look back, can you point to a period when you wanted to quit or a period that was really frustrating?
Getting your foot in the door in the film industry can be very hard if you don’t have any contacts – that was certainly frustrating at times, but the desire to be involved in making movies and TV shows was too great to consider quitting. As a film & TV assistant director, there have certainly been tough times. Some actors can be very challenging individuals and you have to cater to their needs, others are very easy going and chill, but what it comes down to is that the crew and end product make it worthwhile.
What would you tell someone who is just starting out?
Have thick skin, pay attention, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and try to learn something new every day.
Is there something you are particularly excited about or working towards?
My life with my wife (we just got married a year ago), traveling, and continued growth as an assistant director.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alejandromora.com
- Instagram: dambo29
