Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Pinzon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Joseph. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I remember seeing Cirque du Soleil on TV when I was a kid and thought I’d like to try doing that. When I finally saw it live in my early teens, I knew from then on that I was going to do it no matter what. I got my degree in Psychology from UCLA, and during those four years, I took as many dance and gymnastics classes that I could.
After graduating, I took a chance and auditioned for a spot at the National Circus School in Montreal, and I miraculously got in on my first shot. After finishing that circus school program, I worked for a variety of companies around the world like Cirque Eloize, Cirque du Soleil, The 7 Fingers, and Chamäleon Productions, as well as German cabarets and corporate events.
After seeing a lot of other shows during that time, I wanted to take a stab at creating something that I wanted to see on stage. I wanted to make a circus show with a linear storyline, with characters and a plot that incorporates various disciplines. I wrote a show called Filament back in 2011, and it finally got off the ground in a workshop in 2015. A year later, it had its full world premiere in Trutnov, Czech Republic. In early 2017, it played the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and then I needed some time off from doing all that. So, like any sane person, I went to grad school. I got a masters in Arts Leadership from USC and directly after finishing that program in 1 year, I dove into remounting Filament for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for August 2019. A month after that, it will tour for four weeks across Europe. I am in the House of Slytherin.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Is it ever a smooth road? I would love to meet someone whose road has been smooth! Firstly, my super traditional Filipino parents didn’t love that I was going into the performing arts, let alone crazy ass circus. Second, people fail to realize that circus operates like any other entertainment industry, so an artist with my profile had a really hard time finding work once I got on the market. Third, getting funding for new arts work in the US is close to impossible, so I had to (and am still) paying for everything myself. People say it takes about five years for small businesses to turn over some profit, and I am just counting the days. But however rough this road has been, I have learned so much from it all, and I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Well, maybe not the money part. I’d love for someone to produce my stuff (while I retain complete artistic control)!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Short Round Productions – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I run a small American contemporary circus company. I made my mark in my field as a performer on aerial silks and dance trapeze, which I’ve done since 2005 and still do. People think that because I’m producing now that I’ve stopped performing, which is not the case. I’m still able to do everything. But Filament is gaining momentum, and I have to see where that goes. I’m most proud of the dedication my team has put into making the show as good as it is. They all believe in the vision and understand what we’re trying to do, which is to establish an identity for the US in the international contemporary circus market. The show has a clear storyline, which not many companies attempt. But having grown up in LA, surrounded by film and TV, stories are what I know. We set out to make a high-level circus production that audiences can relate to and connect with. It just so happens that Filament is inspired by teen movies from the 80s, which I love. Many other companies rely on themes, theatrics, personal experiences, or purely on acrobatics, which they all do extremely well. We set out to do something different that resonates with us and hopefully will for others. Also, I’ve been told I’m really good at casting, which, if you see my show, is kinda true.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would love to see what path Filament takes. As I’m writing this, the show is wrapping up its run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it received a lot of good reviews and audience reactions. It has gained some attention, so I just have to follow up on that. I do have another show I’d like to make, which takes a very different artistic direction from Filament. I’ve got a story and characters in mind, so I just have to flush it out…and pay for it somehow. I would love to be able to concentrate on myself a bit more, see more friends, have some free time, date, all that stuff. Being an entrepreneur takes up a lot of time, but when it works out, it’s worth it. When I see how the work I’ve put out there has an impact on those who see it, I feel like I’m exactly where I should be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shortroundproductions.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/shortroundprods
- Facebook: facebook.com/shortroundprods
- Twitter: twitter.com/shortroundprods
- Other: www.filamenttheshow.com
Image Credit:
Elly White, Kate Pardey, Benoit Aquin
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