Today we’d like to introduce you to Maximiliano Garcia.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Maximiliano. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My origin story starts on the southeast side of Houston, Texas. I existed somewhere between an urban minority, working-class culture and a posh, privately educated society. I wasn’t born to billionaire parents like Bruce Wayne but my dad was a successful lawyer and my mom public school teacher. They were good parents who prioritized an education and understanding American culture. As I got older, I became increasingly aware of the lack of minority influence in pop art and a general misunderstanding of my culture. I often felt alienated because I could only relate to my peers on a surface level. As a result, I became steadily more attracted to the idea of learning at the “School of Hard Knocks” rather than in conventional educational institutions. So I decided to learn differently.
My formative years would come immediately after dropping out of high school. Of course, my parents were distraught. But they understood why I chose that path and they provided me an alternative education. Education – traveling around the world. So when most of my peers were getting ready to go to prom, my father and I were running with the bulls in Pamplona. When most kids my age were taking final exams, I was backpacking with my cousin in countries like Italy, Germany, France, Austria, and the Czech Republic. When the senior class was accepting their diplomas, I was flying one way to Panama to travel through all of Central America back to Texas. On these trips, I learned about art, delicious food, and world history. At night, my curriculum included socializing with people different than me – sharpening my personality. Probably most importantly, I saw firsthand the daily struggles of people in third world countries. It was while in these countries, I gained a better understanding of my ancestors. It helped me to learn about my Latino roots. I had graduated with a higher consciousness about myself.
What I learned about myself was that I enjoy interacting with people and learning from them. I enjoy navigating social interactions and reading emotional cues. I become aware of these qualities that I had displayed my whole life. I wanted to use these qualities to tell stories – stories about people like the ones I met, stories about my own experiences, and stories about people who have been underrepresented on the silver screen. So I moved LA to tell those stories.
It’s now been almost five years since I moved out to LA to pursue this acting dream. I worked jobs at fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo and jewelry designer David Yurman on Rodeo Dr. I figured I could learn about fashion while I learned how to become an actor- and make some much needed money. While there, I assisted Hollywood stars buy clothes and jewelry. The awe wore off quickly and helping them out became tormenting because I admired their successes and had the same dream they had realized. After about a year, my co-workers, seeing my ambition, encouraged me to leave and pursue acting. So I listened.
From one day to the next, I quit Rodeo Dr. and started working as a background actor. It was another learning opportunity. The background work allowed me to be on set, learn the lingo, and learn the film making process – all while I was being paid for it. I juggled work and attending classes to learn improv, scene study, commercial and theatrical acting. I’ve since appeared in multiple independent projects and continue to audition weekly. I’ve done some great work with Conner Stoops, Eric Cardenas, Gyasi Johnson, and Kevin Ramirez. All solid guys who are pushing just as hard if not harder than me to come up. Aside from my own work, I have a great agent and manager who keep me going out on auditions. In 2018 I was cast as Carlos Santos in a HBO and DirectTV sponsored short film, Victory Boulevard written and directed by Johnny Alvarez. It’s currently making its way into festivals. I find the shorts name poetic of my own future to come
I also write, direct, and act in my own original content. I didn’t know I would ever make my own short projects but after learning about film making on set I decided to give it a try. I bought an Osmo stabilizer for my iPhone. Teamed up with a friend, Chris Rodriguez. He wrote a short script, we got some props and we finished our first short after a week. This whole process set me in motion. I started watching YouTube videos about cameras, cinematography, lighting, and story structure. I spent hours upon hours, without sleep, studying how to produce quality material. I bought a small mirrorless camera and started to shoot my own street photography. Eventually, through the magic of social media, (I sent a random DM) I connected with a great director of photography who goes by @Uglyblackboy. The friendship was meant to be. I act and he shoots, edits, and directs. Now we are creating short projects on a weekly basis.
I’m still learning how to make it. I can’t help but smile when I think about how much I study my craft considering where I started this journey back in Texas. I just think that when you want something bad enough you will do whatever it takes to get it – and I want to be great out here in Hollywood. The name my parents gave me actually translates to “The Greatest” and although I’m far from it, I am still striving for it every day in all that I do. They designed me to make it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been smooth at times but coarse at others. The struggles are mostly time and money as I think it takes both to make quality art. I mean, classes and headshots aren’t free. I sacrifice so I can fund projects and I still have to find a way to pay the bills. Sleep is also a struggle. Also, I constantly get looked at as if I have some angle or ulterior motive. Being from the south, my southern hospitality and friendly personality sometimes gets taken the wrong way. That’s just sad.
The irony is, to be established, you have to be able to take a shot, but the ball is usually passed to those already set. At the end of the day, I enjoy the struggle because it creates great moments in my grand story. Without struggle, there is no progress.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m currently working on a couple of different projects that are about social injustices. Going forward I’d like to work on some latinx projects, telling stories of 3rd and 4th generations making it in America. I’m also working on expanding to show range in the projects I make; action, comedy, romance.
I wouldn’t say I specialize in anything specific. I wear many hats. A Jack of all trades. A Renaissance man.
I want to make deep, socially aware, and moving projects that spark emotion and are thought-provoking.
I’m proud of the small projects I’ve been in and created. I’m proud of myself for having the courage and strength to stay out here and keep moving.
I don’t concentrate on what sets me apart from others but rather what makes me apart of them. We’re all hustlers trying to make it out here with different skill sets.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Jay-z has a great lyric that goes: “Over here we measure success by how many people successful next to you. Here we say you broke if everybody else broke except for you.”
Those words couldn’t be any truer. Where I come from, that’s how we measure success. That’s success to me. A year ago, I wrote down my goals. Yes it includes “large bank account,” “travel,” and “nice house,” but the two most important goals were “Don’t forget who I am” and “create opportunities for my friends.” Because when it’s all said and done, I don’t think the type of car I drive or watch I wear will matter. What will matter is if I have positively impacted someone else’s life.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Return_Of_The_Max
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
