Today we’d like to introduce you to Catalina Parra.
Hi Catalina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
There’s a certain awakening that happens when we look at art and create it. From a young age, I loved the potential of art and admired the process behind painting, drawing and photography. Like most filmmakers, I began in photography and understanding how to capture light: a way to examine and interpret our world so that others can understand certain perspectives. At sixteen, the first film I directed, called “Coming Together,” was about being mixed race in Houston: I interviewed my immigrant Taiwanese mother and my Colombian American father. The constant tension I felt between being Asian and Latino was illuminated on a screen for the first time. (That film won best documentary at the Texas Gulf Film Festival.) At the University of Chicago, I studied philosophy and cinema, delving into filmmaking’s thought processes. It amazed me that movies could feel real, enabling viewers and filmmakers alike to suspend disbelief. In Chicago, I directed multiple short films in our campus’s film club, Fire Escape Films, where I was the Technical Director teaching members about camera equipment and editing software. In 2019, I began the MFA program at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, honing my skills in directing and cinematography and developing leadership skills, especially as Director of Photography. I also directed comedic short films, “Tomato Eggs Stir Fry” and “Mixed,” about being multiracial and a first-gen Asian American.
During my time in school and after graduation, I’ve dedicated my career to full time freelancing.
From working on sets from Motion Capture Stage PA for Disney’s “Snow White,” to 1st ACing and Gaffing music videos, and Director of Photography on pilots and short films. My cinematography projects have screened at the Outfest Film Festival and the Beverly Hills Film Festival. I was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 2023 Camerimage Competition. In addition to these achievements and my active career as a Director of Photography, I also started a boutique Videography Business partnering one on one with clients from capture to post to produce evergreen media for their own businesses to grow.
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?
It’s not until I look at the bigger picture that I realize how courageous artists are. Dedicating myself to filmmaking means living a life of uncertainty while maintaining my long term goals and dreams. That’s bravery: fighting against the grain of normalcy and committing my life to creating impactful films that I hope will bring some understanding to humanity. There hasn’t been a day that goes by where I doubt myself and where I am: when will I make it? When’s my next gig? This past year, our industry has slowed down in the face of inflation and our post-pandemic economy… despite that, I know that even when I’m “not working,” I am. I’m updating my website, creating captivating content for social media, and going to networking events to meet potential creative peers. I’m constantly facing this battle of feeling not good enough and trying finding work, while also being my own biggest advocate by pitching my work to new clients and sharing my work to the world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work involves the media of cinema: moving image, lighting, sound, storytelling, editing and color. First and foremost, I’m a Director of Photography creating strong visuals. In my past four years working on set in LA, I’ve built a community of hardworking, diverse crew members and directors that are dedicated to forming a creative and collaborative team. Hiring me as your Director of Photography not only means bringing in under-represented leadership, but also creative energy in skill from massive preparations in pre production, to countless connections to rental houses around Los Angeles for the highest quality gear.
Since 2017 I’ve been freelance media creation for small businesses, brands, artists and musicians alike. Beyond cinematography, my skills reach into editing, producing and social media management. Last year, I started a Videography Business to support clients. From event coverage, to brand content creation, business interviews and more, I build creative and evergreen media as a one-woman pre to post production house for my clients.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Houston where my childhood consisted of playing soccer in the Texas heat, begging my dad to take me to Amy’s Ice Cream and climbing trees with my school friends. I was active and loved to observe my surroundings. Houston has a plethora of oak trees that line the streets, creating it’s own tunnel canopy- I remember staring out my car and bedroom window watching the branches and leaves twinkle. I also loved singing and dancing, playing pretend, doing DIY and gardening projects with my mom… all of which I still love to do and all is part of my passion to tell stories.
Pricing:
- DP rate is based on production budget, please reach out!
- Videography pricing guide available upon request.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.catalinaparrafilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cat_alinaparra/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-parra/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10370649/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr
